Five Easy Steps to Choosing a Paint Color

color-confident-home-pastel-paint-swatches-with-pen-on-top-of-home-plans-how-to-choose-paint-colors-and-materials-simultaneously

We get it. Choosing a paint color can be hard. Shuffling through hundreds of paint swatches that all end up looking the same after staring at them for too long can be exhausting. Here are some factors to consider that will hopefully make your next painting project a little bit easier!

 1. The Look and the Feel

Think about the look and feel you are hoping to achieve. Considering the overall mood that you want your space to have is essential when choosing the right paint color. Think about how you want guests to feel when they enter the room. Do you want a warm and cozy feel or something fresh and airy? Once you have this established, you can start to narrow down which hue family to work with. Warm colors often execute the cozy, welcoming feel, while cooler colors can give a fresh, calming feel. It all depends on the mood you are looking to have.

deep-hue-walls-ladder-with-bag-bench-with-pillow-and-blanket-rug-on-wood-floor-how to choose paint colors and materials simultaneously

2. The Style

Consider the home’s style. Looking at which colors are present in other rooms in your home is important for several reasons. First of all, a well-decorated home is one that has harmony and flow. So, to maintain that flow you need to consider what the current color scheme is in your home. What is the style of your home’s interior? And from there you can choose something that correlates with the rest of the home. Also, it is important to look at the surrounding rooms because you don’t want to end up with a paint color that looks so similar to a neighboring room that it looks like you tried to match the color and missed. There needs to be a noticeable difference between the color you choose and the colors already present, otherwise it would be more convenient to just paint a room one of your preexisting colors.

color-confident-home-entry-wood-shoe-rack-small-plant-wall-art-wood-floor-design-that-supports-new-years-goals.

3. The Color

Pull a color from your decor. Taking note of the colors of the pieces that will be in the room you are painting and using it to help make your paint color decision will help tie everything together. If there is a rug or a throw pillow you know will be in the space you are painting, look at that next to your paint swatches. This will help you choose a color that will complement and accentuate your furniture and accessories, as well as create that harmony and flow you want your room to have.

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4. The Light

Consider how much light the space gets. This is a very important factor to consider as the amount of lighting can make or break your space, depending on the color you choose. When a room doesn’t get much light, it can make it harder for lower-contrast colors to be seen. A very light blue or green can end up just looking white if there isn’t enough natural light present. If your space falls into this, try opting for a more saturated color or even a dark color to create contrast. Also, paint colors look different in different lighting. Just because a color looks good in the store or in one of your existing rooms, doesn’t mean that it will look the same in your space. Lighting can change everything, so it is important to consider this when picking out your paint colors.

light-neutral-bedroom-with-textured-details-large-light-fixture-table-lamps-how-color-inspires-emotion-at-home.

5. Trendy or Timeless

Decide if you want to follow a trend or choose something timeless and classic. When choosing your color, it is important to note whether the color will be out of style in a few years. Will someone look at your space and know exactly what trend you were following? Will you want to paint this space again in the near future? Is the color something that you will be tired of in the coming years? Considering these can help you stray away from making a decision based on today’s styles and avoid ending up with a color that will eventually be outdated.

Hopefully these steps can make your decision-making a little bit easier when choosing your paint colors! If you are still struggling despite these tips, consider looking into scheduling a color consultation. At Color Confident Home, we consider all these factors and more in order to help you choose the right paint color the first time!

 Color Confidently Yours,

color-confident-home

 

Essential Décor Accessories You Can’t Miss Out On: A Quick Guide

Essential Décor Accessories You Can’t Miss Out On: A Quick Guide

When it comes to creating an inviting and aesthetic space, choosing paint alone just won’t cut it. Here are the essential décor accessories you can’t miss out on. Rugs, pillows, artwork, lighting, plants, and window treatments are essential to transform your home. Accessories elevate your home from a mere living space into a beautifully curated haven. The following décor items add style and personality, while connecting your home’s color scheme and creating cohesiveness.

A living room showing Essential Décor Accessories You Can't Miss Out On(Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-wooden-center-table-584399/)

Rugs, Throw Pillows, and Blankets: Anchoring Furniture, Defining Spaces, and Adding Accents

To begin with, rugs play a crucial role in home accessorizing by effortlessly tying a room together. Area rugs can inspire your color scheme. Also, the right size rug anchors your furniture and serves as a boundary to define “zones” within your floor plan. Beyond their practical purpose, rugs provide coziness, texture, color, and pattern to strengthen the visual appeal of any space. Similarly, pillows and blankets offer both style and comfort. They allow you to enhance your living space with pops of color, interesting textures, and versatile decorative accents that bring warmth and charm.

Living room blue sofa with orange throw pillow and black & white striped pillow. A framed photograph of orange mountain landscape with pale blue sky mounted above sofa beautifully ties together the other blue and orange furnishings in the room.(Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sofa-and-lamp-near-pictures-on-wall-in-apartment-4846446/)

Artwork: Colorful Harmony as a Unifying Force

Artwork bolsters beauty, adds personality, and acts as a bridge that unites the color scheme in your home. The right artwork creates a cohesive and harmonious atmosphere. By carefully selecting artwork that incorporates colors present in your interior design (or vice versa), you can achieve flow and balance. As a result, your décor looks polished and intentional. Whether it’s a large statement piece, a photo gallery wall, or captivating sculptures, incorporating artwork in your home adds a touch of refinement to any living space.

A room with color harmony creates a cohesive space(Photo by Los Muertos Crew from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-using-her-laptop-7617028/)

Lighting, Houseplants, and Window Treatments: The (Not-So) Little Details That Count

We usually recommend five lighting sources per room to provide task, ambient, and accent purposes. Lamps and statement lighting serve as essential design pieces that not only illuminate a room, but can create a mood, stand out as art or a centerpiece, or function as reading and task lighting. Lighting can help a space feel warm and cozy or bright and vibrant. Additionally, houseplants and flowers (real or faux) bring life and freshness indoors. Plants promote a calming, rejuvenating atmosphere and improve mood and air quality. Also, decorative pots and vases add to the design of a space. Furthermore, window treatments, such as curtains, blinds, or shades provide both practicality and aesthetics. Window treatments offer privacy, light control, insulation and possess the ability to frame architectural features and alter the proportions of a space.

A seating area that is a prime example of tying together all of the accessories including an area rug with artwork and a green sofa with a floor lamp for lighting and plants and curtains(Photo by Ksenia Chernaya from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/modern-interior-style-with-wooden-floor-and-cozy-sofa-3952034/)

Unlocking Beauty: Embrace Accessories for a Transformed Home

Thus, unlocking the true beauty of your home means embracing essential décor accessories. The right items reflect your unique taste and create a welcoming environment for you and your guests to enjoy. We recognize that discovering the significance of home accessorizing for a finished and intentionally-designed look can be easier said than done. To help you navigate this process, we provide completely personalized eDesign services. We would love to help you create a look and a feel by curating the perfect furnishings and accessories to incorporate into your home. If you need help with your paint colors and color scheme, contact us today!

If this blog post was helpful, then we know you’ll love our newsletters for more inspiration. If you’d like to know more about how we work, sign up for our client guide.

Color Confidently Yours,

How We Craft Interiors to Suit Different Partner Preferences

How We Craft Interiors to Suit Different Partner Preferences

One question we get often is how we craft interiors to suit partners with different style preferences. Many times our clients look to us to referee or simply to choose the colors for them. We’re happy to report a solution with a win-win outcome! It’s important for both partners to have a say, since color affects our moods, outlook, and feeling of well-being.

Couple intently staring at computer screen and various countertop samples.

(Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/coworkers-pointing-at-a-laptop-and-tile-samples-4977411/)

 

1. We Support A Culture of Candidness

Sometimes one partner will defer or express a fear of stating a preference, either out of uncertainty or to avoid conflict. When each person is open and honest about what they want, like, and dislike, we can help guide the couple to choosing the right colors they will love to come home to. We encourage each person to let us know what they like, even if they’re not sure if “it will work.” We ask our clients to show us inspiration photos of what they each like, and we’ll let them know if and how we can incorporate their dream looks.

A room showing a style to suit different tastes of a couple(Photo by VAZHNIK from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-wooden-tables-and-chairs-7563521/)

2. We Have the Knowledge to Integrate Different Styles Harmoniously

We excel at blending styles and creating harmony and flow from room to room. If a husband likes rich dark hues, while the wife likes light neutrals, we sometimes suggest a color for the husband’s office that ties in with a darker color, for example, found in other parts of the house. Balancing neutrals and darks in the right combination can create spaces both parties will adore.

A couple talking about How We Craft Interiors to Suit Different Partner Preferences(Photo by Diva Plavalaguna: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-giving-cooked-meal-at-home-5711141/)

3. We Advise Couples to Embrace Flexibility and Encourage Compromise

Additionally, couples will need to compromise to come to a win-win solution. Using the overall color scheme in different combinations and percentages, we aim to meet the needs of both. Keep in mind the less critical components of the design lend themselves to the give-and-take necessary to help couples come to agreement.

Couple happily dancing in their new home.(Photo by cottonbro studio from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-long-sleeve-shirt-and-gray-pants-standing-beside-brown-wooden-table-4554422/)

Over the years, we’ve put our “couples counseling” hat on many times to help couples find solutions that work for both of them. We make the process easy and fun by listening to both people, looking for colors that make them smile, and leaving them feeling relieved and happy.

Need help designing a home that you and your spouse will both love? That’s what we do. Reach out and let’s chat. Get our client guide too.

Color Confidently Yours,

3 Easy Ideas to Update Your Home Without Remodeling

3 Easy Ideas to Update Your Home Without Remodeling

If you’ve wanted to renovate your home but dread the long lead times, added costs due to surprises, waiting for permits, DIY error, and other delays, we get it. Fear not. We are sharing 3 easy ideas to update your home without remodeling.

1. Roll On a Fresh Coat of a New Paint Color

What can revive a tired-looking space, add joy to walls, and refresh a kitchen with minimal time and cost? PAINT! A simple coat of paint can change the look and feel of a room. Whether you want a room to feel lighter and brighter or simply would like to update a room from the last (ugh) tired trend, color is a superpower.Click here for tips on choosing a paint color. 

Fresh coat of paint updates room and creates cozy look(Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-bedroom-with-a-dark-colored-wall-4993094/)

2. Replace Your Lighting and Hardware with Current Styles

Another way to quickly refresh a dated look is by changing out old lighting and hardware. New fixtures that fit the style of your home can blend seamlessly to create harmony and flow without the choppy look of fully remodeling one room while leaving others tired. New door handles, hinges, cabinet hardware, and bathroom fixtures throughout can create harmony and flow for an intentionally designed look.

Dining area with updated lighting style(Photo by Mark McCammon: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-kettle-beside-condiment-shakers-and-green-fruits-and-plants-on-tray-on-brown-wooden-table-1080696/)

3. Renew a Few Essential Furnishings

Finally, new furniture, accessories, and window treatments (or, in some cases, minimal or no window treatments) can give your home an updated, lighter feel. Newly reupholstered furniture in a fabric you love can instantly give a room a new look. An area rug with colors pulled from your artwork can tie your room together for that finished look. New accessories and accent pillows update a space and can be changed seasonally or when you tire of them. Even if you decide to order new furniture, starting now gives you a head start toward your new look!

3 easy ideas to update your home without remodeling

(Photo by Leah Kelley: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-brown-sofa-chair-near-white-window-curtain-6480707/)

Coordinating your paint colors, furnishings, and accessories at the same time ensures an intentionally-designed look that will update your home faster and easier (and less expensively) than taking on a large remodeling job. The best part is that your updates will work together to create a fresh look and feel you will love coming home to!

If you would like some support navigating smaller home upgrades like these, we would love to help. Reach out, and let’s get to know each other!

Color Confidently Yours,

How Colors In Your Home Can Influence Your Mood

How Colors In Your Home Can Influence Your Mood

Does a red room make you feel agitated, while a soft blue or green feels calming? Today, we’ll show you how to use color based on what you want to feel in your home. Science proves certain colors can affect our moods and emotions. Psychology Today has an article suggesting a possible effect on our cognitive skills, as well. So if colors affect our mental health, emotions, and even how well we perform certain tasks, choosing the right paint colors is crucial.

Room with blues and greens with plants for a calming space(Photo by Charlotte May from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cozy-interior-of-living-room-with-wooden-chairs-and-table-5824890/)

Infuse Your Home With Comfort Through Color

The current trend toward earth hues like blues, greens, wood elements, and warm colors suggests that homeowners are looking for the comfort nature provides. Different hues, lightness/darkness, and how much chroma/saturation a color has can affect our perception and response to colors. Infusing more saturated colors with the hues of nature can add life to your entertainment and social spaces.

A kitchen with orange cabinets shows How Colors In Your Home Can Influence Your Mood(Photo by Houzlook.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/orange-wooden-kitchen-cabinets-3418998/)

Saturated oranges and reds stimulate hunger and excitement, which would be good for a dining room or kitchen, but not for a bedroom.

Dining room with muted relaxing colors(Photo by Max Rahubovskiy: https://www.pexels.com/photo/simple-interior-of-comfortable-dining-room-with-table-and-chairs-6180676/)

Bedroom with softer hues to create a calming atmosphere(Photo by Max Rahubovskiy: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cozy-bedroom-with-walls-decorated-with-lamps-and-pictures-6180671/)

On the other hand, lighter shades of the same hues, such as pinks and corals, paired with soft lavenders and lighter blues, could simulate the colors of a soothing morning dawn.

Mixing Neutrals With Pops of Color

Are you ready for more color?  We understand it feels safer to keep main rooms more neutral. If you’re looking to bring in more “pizzazz,” kitchens, powder rooms, laundry rooms, and home offices are fun places to add color. Especially when separate from the main rooms, these spaces act as islands that can support a unique color. We have helped many homeowners work through their fears of adding color by incorporating warm neutrals, textures, plants, and earth hues to balance the amount of sensitivity for each client.

Kitchen with colorful cabinets(Photo by Keegan Checks: https://www.pexels.com/photo/contemporary-kitchen-design-with-blue-cabinets-10117737/)

Sometimes painting a color on the walls of your kitchen feels intimidating. Consider adding a pop of color on your cabinets instead!

Bathroom with dark green walls to simulate naturePhoto by Andrew Neel: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-ceramic-sink-with-stainless-steel-faucet-5860600/)

The options to bring color into a bathroom are nearly limitless. These are fun spaces to experiment with a bold paint color or even use wallpaper. Use a colored or patterned tile on the walls and/or floors. Try out different bath mats, rugs, curtains, or towels. Even the vanity cabinets could be a fun color.

Dining room with muted blue green walls and saturated yellow chairs(Photo by Max Rahubovskiy: https://www.pexels.com/photo/table-with-flowers-in-kitchen-6492386/)

Intimidated By Bold? Aim For Less Saturated and Subtle Colors

Knowing what you like and dislike is key to choosing the right “feel” for each room. When working with a Certified Color Expert and Strategist, you will be guided to colors that work in your home. We consider your needs and how the colors in your home can influence your mood. For example, in bedrooms where the goals are sleep and relaxation, we show you which colors provide a calming feel. For bathrooms, we have the perfect colors for a spa effect. Soothing blues, greens, and softer hues are perfect for these rooms.

Spa-like bathroom with blue walls and soft white wainscoting(Photo by Max Rahubovskiy: https://www.pexels.com/photo/interior-of-a-comfort-room-with-wood-panels-8143713/)

Before we come out to your home for the in-person consultation, we conduct a pre-appointment phone interview to determine your color sensitivity, likes and dislikes, color and style preferences preferences, and dreams and inspirations. With this information in hand, we’ll help you take the fear out of choosing the right colors the first time. Together, we’ll create a color scheme you love (read how you can prepare for your consultation here).

If you’re ready to create a color-filled space perfectly suited to your desired emotions, reach out to us. We can’t wait to hear about your project.

Color Confidently Yours,

3 Tasks To Complete In Preparation For Your Color Consultation

3 Tasks To Complete In Preparation For Your Color Consultation

You’ve scheduled your custom color consultation. So, what’s next? We’re glad you asked! Here are the 3 tasks to complete before your color consultation. Preparing ahead is a critical component of our Interior Paint Colors & Custom Color Schemes service. The more preparation you do before we come out to your home, the more value you will receive for the time scheduled. A little homework on your part goes a long way in choosing the right colors for your home!

 

Task #1 Search For and Share Inspiration Images

Woman searching for inspiration online(Photo by Peter Olexa: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-using-black-and-silver-laptop-computer-4012966/)

Before your 15-minute phone interview, gather inspiration photos for each room. Scroll through Pinterest, Houzz.com, and magazines. Search online, observe other spaces and homes you like, and take photos of friend’s spaces. Then, share them with us via email, a Google or iCloud link, or Pinterest and Houzz boards! As we prepare for your consultation, we look at your inspiration photos to see what might work in your home. We also consider the information from your pre-appointment phone interview and look at before photos of your rooms to see how they relate to each other. (By the way, we never choose colors from photos!)

Task #2: Develop Goals And Formulate A Vision For Your Project

Homeowners creating a vision by looking at samples of granite(Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-holding-tile-samples-4977410/)

Finally, think about what you want to accomplish with your color consultation. Brainstorm your dream home ideas, colors and styles you like or dislike, and artwork you love with family members who share your spaces. What is the scope of your project? If you’re replacing countertops, backsplash, tile, flooring or carpeting, gather samples of each finish (in different colors, patterns, textures you’re considering), and have them available for the in-person visit.

Task #3: Take a Deep Breath And Keep An Open Mind

Homeowner keeping an open mind when viewing sample materials for their home(Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hand-of-a-person-holding-wooden-plank-samples-6583355/)

A final note of encouragement: a little preparation for your color consultation ensures the consultation will go more smoothly. By brainstorming with loved ones, sending us inspiration photos, and keeping an open mind, you will have colors that give you the intentional, designed look for which you are striving. Staying open to colors you may not have considered and trusting our deep knowledge of color, our process, and our years of experience will lead you to the right colors the first time! Ready to schedule your home consultation if you don’t already have one on the books? Let’s talk. We can’t wait to meet you!

Color Confidently Yours,

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