In this post I want to share effective ways of choosing a colour scheme or colour palette for your home. Then next week I will share more tips on how to apply the colour scheme you’ve selected.
What is an interior design strategy?
One of the first things I do when I start working with clients is to understand their interior style goal. I also consider their colour preferences. Making these two decisions at the beginning of the project helps set the direction and decide on specifications. This is a design strategy and an important first step.
Colour Inspiration
I love the colour scheme is black, white, grey. My favourite colour or shade is black. My bed is black, 90% of my wardrobe is black and even my dog is black.
So, your favourite colour is a good place to start when choosing a colour scheme for your home.
It doesn’t matter for example that your favourite colours may not be traditional to a particular style. That is, you can still have a Coastal style such as Hampton’s if you like black or purple. Any style has many defining elements that characterise it and colour is just one.
Typical Colour Combos
Another way to select a colour scheme is to define your style. As mentioned above, interior styles lend themselves to particular colours. Scandinavian to neutral colours such grey and white. Industrial styles to black and browns. If you know what style you like, you can easily Google ‘colour scheme for Scandinavian living room’. Simply see what comes up.
Colour from Your Existing Pieces
You can use your existing pieces if you want to keep them. These pieces can help you set up a colour scheme. For instance, I have a client. I’m working with them at the moment. Their existing colours are beige, brown with some pink, gold, red, and lots of timber.
My clients have a chrome floor lamp and brass pendants. Their colour scheme is lacking cohesion. Beige/brown is the predominant colour. The client expressed interest in grey. However, they understood their existing pieces better. With these, a neutral colour scheme of beige and white with a gold accent made more sense.
To summarise there a three key ways to select a colour scheme. Firslty, by using your favourite colours. Secondly, by using the colours that lend themselves well to your chosen interior style goal. And finally by reviewing your existing pieces.
But, if you’re really stuck then working with an interior designer can be really invaluable. Their knowledge of colour will help you establish a design strategy comprising of your preferred style goal and colour scheme.
