Color Mistakes To Avoid

In previous posts on this blog, we’ve covered numerous color combinations that can make your home sparkle, as well as ways in which you can carefully plan your decorative choices to ensure that different colors flow seamlessly between rooms. But just as important, or perhaps even more crucial, is knowing which color mistakes should be avoided, unless you want your design project to go from effortlessly artistic to a downright fail.

Here are some common mistakes people make when they try to be colorful and exciting with their interior home design projects but forget to consider some knowledge about color theory.

Using flat white for your ceiling or the walls of every room

White paint has a bit of gray in it, so when you paint your ceiling (the largest wall in the room) with this color, it takes the room down. The same goes when settling for stark white walls - it can make your home feel cold and clinical like a hospital. Your goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment. Opt for a warm tone instead like the color beige.

Overdoing color schemes from room to room

Walls covered with too many colors are distracting and create visual tension. If you want to use different color schemes for every room of your house, make sure to maintain a connection between them. Try choosing colors that jibe with each other in some way and use furnishings and accessories to bring these spaces together. Read our Tips for creating color flow in your home for more ideas.

Neglecting to balance a strong color

A color like bright orange is very taste-specific, while yellow tends to bonce off light and is uncomfortable on the eyes. If your walls are going to be screaming with a bright color, you may want to consider wrapping the rest of your furnishings in neutral tones like using a few grey throws or white architectural elements to give the eyes a place to rest. Decide what your focal point is - if it’s the wall color, then make sure everything else supports it.

Playing it “too safe” with neutral hues

A neutral color scheme can give a broader appeal to your home, but it’s a common mistake to forget to add just enough contrast, which then makes a room look dull and boring. When using a palette of neutrals tones on your walls, don’t forget to add a few strong colors and interject some elements with intense personality to give the room some needed life.

Forgetting to consider how lighting affects color choices

Paint colors can change under different lighting situations. Some colors that look great under natural light may look washed out at night under artificial lighting. This is why you shouldn’t be too eager to pick up colors at the store without first trying out paint samples on your walls. Be strategic in testing them out at various areas of the room and at times of the day when the light changes. This will help you obtain a better idea of just how the paint will look at all times.

Ignoring the 60-30-10

When trying to put a color scheme together, some people tend to use too many colors. The 60-30-10 color principal is a good guide to keep in mind to create an aesthetically pleasing color scheme and help you achieve balance in any space. Simply divide your color choices into percentages: 60% for the dominant color, 30% for the secondary color, and 10% for the accent color.

These color mistakes are just a few things that can go wrong with a paint project. No doubt, the very best way to avoid them is to leave your home’s interior or exterior painting project to a professional. Our team at Sharper Impressions Painting is happy to assist you with choosing the right colors for your rooms and we can even do the painting for you. Schedule a FREE painting quote or inquire by calling us at (877) 665-5566.

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