Five Color Mistakes to Avoid in Home Decorating

Ultimately, your interior color scheme is your choice. It should consist of colors you love that work well with your home's architecture, its period style and your personal decorating style or theme. However, there are a few mistakes that you should avoid making, if at all possible. First of all, most of us can tell with one look that a color scheme just isn't working. But how can you avoid making a color mistake in the first place? 

The below picture is the office in a house we used to rent; the room was already painted in this pink and blue color scheme, yellow polka dots included, when we moved in. I didn't bother with re-painting, which is lucky because we moved out a year later! 

Example of a color mistake to avoid in home decorating

Consider these five color mistakes to avoid in home decorating.

1. Don't use too many colors

 

Choose a color palette of three to five colors. This may be a monochromatic scheme of several greens, or it may be a few complementary colors that you love. Then stick with that color palette. Once you start adding too many colors to your home decor, it can get to be very confusing to the viewer. Avoiding too many colors in one room is just the first rule to avoid making a color mistake in your home decor.

2. Don't try to match colors

 

No matter how hard you try, you will never be able to "match" a color exactly from one surface to another. This is one of the first things I learned in school for Interior Design. When you have a piece of fabric and want to find a carpet to match the exact color, you will find it an impossible task. Instead, look for colors that complement your fabric or a similar color that is a couple shades lighter or darker. 

3. Don't use the wrong colors

 

This may be wondering how you can avoid using the wrong colors. Some palettes just work better in some rooms than in others. This doesn't mean you can never use yellow in a bedroom, but you just might not get the calming effect you were hoping for. Bedrooms benefit from cooler, more soothing hues, while warmer, more bold colors might better suit the kitchen.

4. Don't choose "safe" colors

 

Don't choose them just because they are safe. While working in a paint store, I helped many customers choose very boring, light neutrals just because they were "safe". They also had very similar color choices for their carpeting and other finishes throughout the room. Choose a color because you like it, or because it helps you achieve the overall atmosphere you want in a room. 

5. Don't ignore the lighting

 

Lighting plays a huge part in your interior design. The exact same lighting design can enhance one space, while ruining another. The types and amount of lighting you need varies from one room to another. For example, one room might call for plenty of cool, bright, general lighting throughout the entire space, while another would benefit from softer, layered lighting with warm undertones. 

Have you ever decorated a room with a color scheme you were sure you'd love, only to end up hating it? Share your experience in the comments below. 

*Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

Psychology of Color in the Home Interior

How do the colors in your home interior make you feel? 

How do you feel when you step into your bedroom, living room, or kitchen? Do you feel happy, excited, sad, or angry? The colors in your home interior have a huge impact on how you feel every day. "Color psychology refers to investigating the effect of color on human behavior and feeling (Wikipedia)." 

Black: Black is one of the neutral colors. It absorbs all of the light in the color spectrum (Van Wagner), so if you want a room to feel like a cave, paint it black. It can also look very sophisticated if you use the right amount of black accent pieces in a room; black leather furniture, for example. 

White: White is also a neutral color. It is the opposite of black; it reflects all of the light in the color spectrum. A white room feels spacious, but it can also feel cold and sterile. As an accent color, like black, white can also create a sophisticated feel. 

Red: A primary color, red is a warm hue that is associated with excitement (Van Wagner). Red is a common color for an accent wall in homes because it draws the eye to the wall; be careful of how much red you use, however, because color psychology suggests that it is also associated with anger. 

Orange: Orange is a secondary color that is a combination of red and yellow and it also draws attention. It is commonly used in the interiors of fast-food restaurants because it is known to cause hunger and, therefore, more profit. 

Yellow: Another primary color, yellow, is bright and cheery. As Vincent Van Gogh said, "How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun." Yellow is also fatiguing to the eye, can cause feelings of frustration, and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms (Van Wagner). 

Green: Green is a mix of yellow and blue, another secondary color. It is often associated with nature and enhances the feeling of tranquility and calm. It works well as a source of stress relief. Researchers have also found that green helps to improve reading ability (Van Wagner). 

Blue: As the third and final primary color, blue is also associated with calmness and serenity. Blues and greens are often used to create a spa-like atmosphere is bathrooms. Blue is associated with feelings of sadness, as well. The complementary color to orange, blue is actually a known appetite suppressant. 

Violet: Violet is a secondary color that is the combination of red and blue. When you think of this color, you may think of royalty, wealth, and perhaps wisdom. 

Colors I have not yet mentioned are: gray, which is a combination of black and white; browns and tans, which can be a mixture of all of the primary colors; and pink, which is a tint of red (red mixed with white). Grays, browns, and tans are all neutral colors. Neutral colors are often popular as the main wall color in home interiors. 

I recommend using black and white in small doses as a wall color in your home to prevent it from feeling like a cave or a hospital room. These colors work well in accent pieces, however. Use red sparingly, as well, as it is generally not a very soothing color to look it. Try not to use a lot of orange in a dining room unless you are trying to gain weight; on the other hand, if you are trying to lose weight, you may want to try blue. 

However, if you or someone in your family is prone to depression, I would suggest using blue in small doses, perhaps as a centerpiece on your table or as the color of your dishes. If you have a baby, avoid bright yellow in the main part of the house and save it for a workout room. Color psychology suggests that green is good for those of you who have children who are learning to read. 

References:

Kendra Van Wagner, "Color Psychology - Black." About.com

Kendra Van Wagner, "Color Psychology - Red." About.com

Kendra Van Wagner, "Color Psychology - Yellow." About.com

Kendra Van Wagner, "Color Psychology - Green." About.com

Wikipedia, "Color Symbolism and Psychology." 

*Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Capture Queen

Summer Paint Color Trends for the Kitchen

Summer is just around the corner. Is it time for a fresh coat of paint on your walls? Summer paint colors are refreshing and rejuvenating, and the kitchen is a place where families spend a lot of their time, so this is a good place to start when you begin your summer painting. Here are a few kitchen color trends to consider. 

8 Late-Summer Decorating Ideas for Your Home 

Teals & Grays

Both teal/gray and teal/white color schemes are cool and refreshing to look at in the midst of the hottest part of summer. Teal walls with a white, painted trim work well with a beachy theme. Pratt & Lambert Tampico 1411 is a pretty, teal color for your kitchen. 

 

Susan Serra, CKD / https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitchendesigner/

Earth Tones

Earth tones are rich colors from nature: deep browns, burnt oranges, watery blues, and ruby reds are all examples of earth tone colors. Try Benjamin Moore Merlot Red 2006-10 for an energizing and invigorating accent in your kitchen this summer. 

williamskitchenbath / https://www.flickr.com/photos/williamskitchen/

Blues & Greens

Blues and greens are often associated with nature (water, grass, sky). If you are someone who likes to be outdoors during the summer, why not bring the outdoors in so you can enjoy them while you are cooking? Check out Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue HC-147 for a soft, sky blue. 

outreachr.com / https://www.flickr.com/photos/109249103@N05/

Sunny Hues

Looking for something to remind you of sunny California? Nothing says California like a golden yellow, so bring the sun indoors with your paint. Benjamin Moore Golden Honey 297 is the perfect choice for those of you who enjoy spending time under the sun. 

wonderlane / https://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/

Keep it Natural

Sherwin-Williams Whole Wheat SW6121 is sophisticated, but it doesn't detract from the rest of the room's décor. Neutral is a good way to go if you are someone who likes to change out the décor with every season, but don't like to repaint four times a year. 

Ines Hegedes-Garcia / https://www.flickr.com/photos/miamism/

If you didn't get a chance to repaint your kitchen this spring, summer is the next best time to do so. Do you want to recreate the feel of a beach house? Or are you looking to bring the sun inside? Remember, whatever you decide on, choose your kitchen's colors this summer according to your personal preferences, not just what is trendy at the time.  

*Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

8 Late-Summer Decorating Ideas for Your Home

It's late summer and your house is in desperate need of a pick-me-up. How do you decorate the home this time of year? This is the time when summer is nearly over, but it isn't quite Autumn yet. So, do you decorate early with fall accents, stick with summer hues or just leave your house as it is until autumn finally arrives? Try some of these decorating tips for your home when we are in-between seasons. 

1. Decorate with yellow during any season. You don't need much--a little yellow will go a long way. Recently, I placed a cream candle with a sprig of yellow flowers on my dining table. It is small, simple, but it provides a cheery pop of color to the otherwise-drab dining room. 

2. Bring a little glamour to any room. Something sparkly, for example, freshens and brightens the bedroom, or even the bathroom, but it doesn't necessarily represent either summer or autumn (or any other season, for that matter). A simple silver picture frame amongst darker, earthier colors creates drama. 

3. Take a piece of nature inside the house. Who says nature has to remain outdoors? Branches are just one way to change things up in the summer and in the fall. Vases work great for holding them, as well as rocks, pine cones and anything else you can find to bring inside. 

4. Bring plant life to a stale interior. Flowers and greenery can lift the spirits, while bringing in fresh, clean air. Get a plant at the end of summer and learn how to make it thrive, so it can provide happiness throughout the following seasons. Do you have allergies? Get an artificial plant, and make sure to keep it dust-free. 

5. Create interest with contrasting textures. Decorating with black and white  is not the only way to create contrast. Of course, you can do so using colors, but you can also achieve an interesting interior with textures and patterns that contrast with one another: rough textures with smooth, large patterns next to small. 

6. Go against the flow. Contrary to common belief, black and brown can work together--quite well--if done properly. And you most certainly do not necessarily have to stick with one decorating style throughout the entire house. There are some decorating rules you should just ignore (and others you should not). 

7. Read up on feng shui for the home. This is an ancient Chinese practice related to interior design that will help benefit many areas of your life. By decorating your home with feng shui in mind, you can clear a pathway on which your chi, or life energy, can flow more easily. 

8. Start fall cleaning early. Just by sorting through stacks of mail and decluttering the home, you will have a blank slate from which you can begin your fall decorating when the time arrives. Doing so will give you extra free time in the autumn for other things.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

Fresh Home Decorating Ideas for the New Year

Small Ways to Start Anew and Freshen the Home Interior

Copyright: tommerton2010 / http://www.flickr.com/photos/58842866@N08/

As we enter a new year, we are often inspired to make a fresh start in our homes by decorating in new ways. It doesn't take much to get a brand-new home atmosphere; taking a small step such as clearing clutter in the home can make a big difference. Or lift your spirits by changing out your accent color. And do-it-yourself decor has become popular recently. Try one of these fresh home decorating ideas for the new year.

Add fresh pops of color to your decor with accessories

 
Something as small as changing out your accent color can have a big impact on the overall look of a room. Choose a new accent color to complement your existing decor in the main living area. Adding a few pops of a fun, new hue will freshen up your space with minimal work. Consider these sophisticated ways to decorate with purple, the 2014 color of the year.

Copyright: tommerton2010 / http://www.flickr.com/photos/58842866@N08/

 

Streamline your home by clearing the clutter

 
It may seem obvious, but clearing the clutter in your home can greatly improve the way you feel about your space. Don't just temporarily clean it up, though; prevent future clutter from building up by thinking up ways to organize it. This may involve baskets for incoming mail, toys, and miscellaneous items that pile up in specific areas of the house. You may need to get a pantry-style cabinet for storing small kitchen appliances or a magazine rack to minimize the piles of clutter. Think of the area that frequently gets messy in your home, and streamline that area with new organizational tools.

Copyright: tommerton2010 / http://www.flickr.com/photos/58842866@N08/

Upcycle by re-purposing useless items into home decor

 
You will find numerous ideas online for re-purposing something that you might otherwise throw into the garbage. As you go through the house to clear clutter in the new year, take something that you no longer need and find a new way to use it as a unique decorative piece. Can you paint or decorate that vase to use as a brand-new table centerpiece? Or can you take the ugly picture out of that neat old frame and replace it with something you like? Pinterest is a wonderful resource for fresh DIY ideas.

Freshen your home decor for the new year by adding pops of color, clearing clutter, and upcycling old items into new decorative pieces.

Visit my main blog for more home improvement ideas.

More from Tonya:
Home improvement resolutions for the new year
Color psychology of warm hues: Red, orange & yellow

Purple: 2014 Color of the Year

Ideas for Decorating Your Home with Purple

Purple is a majestic hue, the color of royalty. Being my favorite color, I am in love with the chosen 2014 Colors of the Year from Sherwin-Williams and Pantone.

"Pantone, one of the world's foremost color authorities, just announced its 2014 Color of the Year today: Radiant Orchid, what Pantone calls a "captivating, magical, enigmatic purple."...That echoes Sherwin-Williams' recent choice for Color of the Year 2014: Exclusive Plum. The paint company's director of color marketing, Jackie Jordan, told Yahoo Homes that she chose Exclusive Plum for its "mystical" and "experimental" qualities." (read the full article at Yahoo! Homes)

Are you looking for some fun, sophisticated ways to add pops of purple to your home in the coming year? Consider these great ideas.

For the Bathroom

A purple and gray shower curtain will make a sophisticated addition to the bathroom. Complement this color scheme with a purple bath mat, white towels, and gray painted walls.

For the Bedroom

A purple lampshade will provide the perfect pop of color next to the bed. You can pair this sophisticated hue with neutrals, such as gray or beige, or with a rich earthy tone, like olive green.

For the Kitchen

A purple stand mixer is a fun accent piece in any home. It would work well with either a cool or warm kitchen color scheme.

How do you plan to incorporate the 2014 Color of the Year into your interior decor? Whether you choose to decorate your home with lots of purple or just a few accent pieces, it is sure to be a hit in the coming year!

**Disclosure: Although this post contains affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Banish the Winter Blues with Natural Light

Improving your home to improve your mood

It's that time of year again: Are you starting to feel sad as the long winter sets in? SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a common occurrence during the winter season, even for those of us who are normally happy.

By letting in the natural light - or, as much as you can get during the shorter days - you might begin to feel happier. At least, you might feel less sad. To let in more natural light:

• Take advantage of south-facing windows by opening curtains to let in natural light while you are home.
• Hang sheer curtains to let in more natural light, while maintaining some of your privacy.
• Install skylights and sun tunnels to bring light into the home through the ceiling. Plus, you will save money on electricity and heating costs.

These are just a few of the ways you can banish the winter blues with natural light. Read this article on ways to bring natural light into the home for more ideas.

Copyright: Muffet / http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/

Other ways to banish the winter blues with home improvement:

• Rearrange furniture for a fresh perspective in your home.
• Buy something new, even if it is inexpensive: artwork, a vase, flowers, a rug, or even a candle. 
• Add a splash of color to the living area, from a vibrant set of curtains to a new wall paint color.

What do you do to lift your spirits in the dead of winter, when SAD begins to set in?