How to Choose a 'Safe' Color to Paint Your Rooms

Are you STILL thinking about painting your walls with color?

Many people are afraid to make the leap from 'builder's beige' to
a more daring color choice. What holds you back? Are you afraid
the color will be too strong? Not match your furniture? Or you'll
become tired of it and have to start over again?

While you're debating the work involved you are missing out on
one of the basic elements of design that can change the entire
look of your room for under $50. Your tired furniture can become
new again and a mismatched room can have designer flare! So, how
do you choose the right color?

The first recommendation is to choose a tinted neutral. Why is
that? Instead of choosing rich, deep colors for your first
project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral
such as beige or gray which will not date the room or create a
jarring palate that you will easily tire of.

However, when you go to your local home improvement store you
will be faced with a sea of color swatches - hundreds of versions
of basic beige and gray to choose from. So before you go,
consider these steps to choosing the right color for you.

If you like the feel of a warm and cozy room - think of
fireplaces, brown leather and sunsets - then you'll want to start
with a beige tone.

Now, consider your furniture and accessories. What colors do you
see? If you have a lot of black or navy you may wish to choose a
beige with orange or pink undertones to keep the look warm. If
you have browns or reds in your furniture, select a cooler beige
with ashy tones to avoid 'overheating' your room.

If you prefer a cooler, airy look - chrome, glass and shades of
icy blue - then select gray tones. Some stores will have a 'true
gray' color swatch which you can use to compare with their
designer selections. On comparison you will notice that each gray
has undertones. Some will have blue or lavender tones, others may
have green or even a hint of pink.

Using the same guide as stated above, identify the main colors of
furniture and accessories in the room. Use green or pink toned
greys with cool toned furnishings to avoid it from feeling like
an ice box. Use blue or lavender undertones in rooms with warmer
colored furnishings.

If you are really torn between beige or gray, than the easiest
color to work with is green. Keeping it in a muted tone will make
it very easy to live with, and will work with most color
palates.

Painting rooms with color will bring the finishing touch to your
home - don't you deserve it?

About the Author

Johnson Design specialise in Interior Design and Decorating. He is also CEO of http://interior-design.monstercyber.com .