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Using Colour

Some simple tips to consider when choosing your colours:

• Try to avoid using equal areas of contrasting colours. This will give the effect of 'breaking up' the room into
  distinct areas, which may not have been your purpose.
  

• Use lighter colours on larger expanses and confine brighter colours to accentuate an area or item.
  

• Too much dark colour can be depressing. Give darker colours a touch of 'life' with whiter tints. Conversely, you
  can 'punch up' lightly tinted expanses with darker or richer accents.
  

• Balance 'patterns' with 'plain'. Too much of a pattern becomes overwhelming. Use a plainer colour or texture
  to give the eye a rest!
  

• Remember that colour intensifies with area. The more of one colour used, the stronger it will seem to be. When choosing from a swatch , go for two shades lighter than the one you like.
  

• Wall colours reflect onto themselves so again intensifying it's colour. This can be compensated for by choosing a lighter shade or a flat matte finish.
  

• Light effects colour. Natural light changes colours and intensity as the day passes.
  

• Consider which direction your light is coming from. East facing windows greet the early morning sun.
  

• Choose cheerful, but somewhat muted tones, such as yellows or oranges.
  

• For a Southern facing window choose mid-tones or neutral colours.
  

• Northern exposures need accentuation of light with brighter, warmer colours.
  

• Western light requires a cooler palette of light values from blues to violets.

If you are still unsure, ask our designer who will be glad to assist you.