Choosing colors for your home can feel overwhelming because the options are endless! You may feel equally drawn to completely different color stories or unsure of how much color you can handle in your environment. Maybe you want to paint your walls but don't know where to go from there. Maybe you rent and have certain restrictions you need to work with. Here are a few things I've learned along the way about how to settle on colors for your home.
Tip 1. Saturate your mind with images of interiors and color stories you feel excited about.
Pinterest is an excellent resource for organizing images you find online because it allows you to see all of your images in one place. You can then start looking for any patterns you see within your categories. Do all of your interior images have bright white walls with colorful accessories or are they toned down and moody? What colors do all of your images have in common? Are the colors appearing in small amounts or are your interior images saturated with them?
Once you've collected enough images and had time to analyze them, you'll pick up on the trends and patterns that you're drawn to and can then think about how to incorporate those into your own home.
Tip 2. Break up lots of color with neutrals.
If you have white walls, you may want to experiment with bold art and bright curtains. If all of your living room furniture is upholstered in colorful patterns and prints, you may want to stick with a solid color rug and pillows. Neutrals give your eye a place to land and help balance out a colorful room.
Examples of neutrals are natural wooden elements such as the dining room chairs and clipboards above. They allow your attention to focus on the colorful elements rather than create distractions.
Tip 3. Repeat your colors throughout your room.
Repeating colors throughout a room, or even your entire household, creates a stronger design. In the room above I repeated the light blue by painting a vintage frame and old wooden bench. I also repeated the pink from the bedspread in the throw pillow and pink poster. The black houndstooth pattern in the second bedspread is repeated in a smaller pattern on the upholstered seat of the wooden chair in the corner and helps break up all of the color a bit.
Since all of the colors in our bedroom compliment each other, I can easily rearrange or add elements in similar tones when I want to change things up a bit. I can also use the bench or upholstered chair in other parts of my house because I've got a similar color story in almost every room.
In conclusion, look for patterns in the things you're inspired by, break up color with neutrals, and repeat your colors throughout as you decorate. Most of all, don't be scared to commit to color in your space. It's one of the best ways to make your space uniquely yours! xo, Rachel
Love the tips! I will keep them in mind :)
Posted by: Tonya | October 12, 2011 at 05:17 PM
These are great advice! I needed those, it's hard setting up a new home as newlyweds!
Xo
http://beingzhenya.wordpress.com/
Posted by: ZhenyaH | October 12, 2011 at 05:31 PM
How lovely! I have fallen in love with Caribbean blue because I bought some Le Crueset things in that color and I'm trying to incorporate throughout the kitchen that we are remodeling! This post was helpful in reminding me that I'm on the right track. LOVE that red in your photos.
Kacie
Posted by: Kacie @ A Collection of Passions | October 12, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Let me just say that I LOVE seeing home decor posts on your blog! I would personally love to see more interior shots from your own home:)
Love,
Stephanie May*
http://www.maydae.com
Posted by: Stephanie May* | October 12, 2011 at 05:42 PM
I am loving these tips. Rachel, you are the best at using color in your home!!
Posted by: andrea | October 12, 2011 at 05:45 PM
I love the photo for tip #1! Very cute decor = )
-meesch
http://www.aperfectkindofday.com
Posted by: meesch | October 12, 2011 at 05:55 PM
now I want to paint my whole house white. it seems airy and relaxing.
Posted by: chickything | October 12, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Thank youuuuu! How did you know I'm pondering over the colour dilemma right about now? Not for the home, but the office, though close enough. Thanks for suggesting Pinterest, too. Now I'm off to spending a few hours on this site...
Posted by: Maria | October 12, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Wow, one of the best blog posts I've seen in awhile. So helpful, really great quality!
♥
Talia Christine
http://taliachristine.blogspot.com
Posted by: Talia Christine | October 12, 2011 at 06:01 PM
thanks for the post! (p.s. i am in love with you typewriter) :)
Posted by: Georgia | October 12, 2011 at 06:06 PM
Amazing tips, Rachel!
I'm working on a home tour post right now, so this is perfectly timed advice!
xx.
Posted by: Julia | October 12, 2011 at 06:16 PM
I'd never considered how handy it would be to have a similar color palette in each room, especially when company comes and extra seating in the living room is a necessity! Thanks for the great tips!
Posted by: Lauren Hairston | October 12, 2011 at 06:19 PM
love this. Throughout our common rooms, we've got a primary color scheme, which I fought and tried to correct for a time. But I really, really love it, and I think we've managed to do without making it super obvious. As I continue to scrutinize, I'll definitely be using these tips!
Posted by: Rae | October 12, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Fantastic tips! Love the twigs in the vases!
I'm in the middle of redecorating our rv before we move into it for a year. I went back and forth on the wall color and decided on a neutral since I chose bright colors for the couch and dinette. On the opposite I went with a bright green and neutral cabinets. I hope it ends up looking ok!
BTW I had the same green and cream colored curtains that are in the first picture in my old house!
Posted by: Nomadic Nimsy | October 12, 2011 at 06:28 PM
Your place looks beautiful! I love the black and white coverlet on your bed, mixed with the other colours.
Loulou Downtown
Posted by: Loulou Downtown | October 12, 2011 at 06:41 PM
Thanks for the help! I really love the imagine of the dinner table.
Posted by: Mo | October 12, 2011 at 06:54 PM
great tips!
www.petiteandhungry.blogspot.com
Posted by: Petite and Hungry | October 12, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Great tips and a beautiful home, Rachel!
I must say though- I do wish we get to see more of Elsie's house. She's mentioned her newlywed home, but I don't think we've seen much of it. Hint hint. :o)
Posted by: Peonie | October 12, 2011 at 07:19 PM
nice tips.. thanks rachel! :)
http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com
Posted by: irene wibowo | October 12, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Totally useful tips, and so timely too...I've been thinking about decorating since we just bought a house.
Posted by: Michelle Sexton | October 12, 2011 at 08:30 PM