How to Choose the Right Interior Color Palette (and How it Can Boost Your Mood!)
palette from Liberty London: The Modern Archive Collection—Lichen
Whether you’re going rustic, minimalist, contemporary, boho, or maximalist, it’s important to find the right color palette for both you and your space. Finding your perfect color scheme is the first and arguably most important step when designing a room but it’s not as scary as it may seem! Not only will the right color palette set you up for decorating success, but it can also influence your mood every time you walk into the room. Yep, you read that right! No matter if you’re redesigning just one room or your entire home, you’ve come to the right place. Today we’re breaking down how to choose the perfect color scheme for your space and how it can impact your mood!
How interior colors impact emotions
Did you know the colors and patterns we surround ourselves with can have a direct impact on the way we feel emotionally? In fact, psychology is a huge factor when designing a room because most people start by thinking, “How do I want to feel in here?” For example, in a living room you want to feel comforted, in an office space you would like to feel motivated, in a bedroom the feeling of relaxation is key, and so on! When choosing the right color palette for your space, your desired emotions should play into your overall decision. Afterall, you will be spending most of your time there!
Different color families can invoke different emotions so choose wisely when planning out each room:
● In living rooms and family rooms, try opting for a warm color palette filled with rich tones. Shades such as browns, beiges, tans, muted yellows, and rusts are always a great option. Don’t forget to think about textures as well! Comforting textured drapes, furniture pieces, rugs, and throw blankets are always a must.
● To create a romantic flair in the primary bedroom or bathroom, go for a deeper color range. This includes navy, deep browns, army greens, dark purples, charcoal, and black. If a calm space is more your speed, try a cool-toned gray palette to allow you to zen out.
● In your office, blue shades are always a great option. This is because blue is associated with power and loyalty.
● Yellows or oranges are also the perfect color scheme for your kitchen because they’re known to promote motivation and spark creativity. Plus, these shades bring an added sense of brightness to your space.
● Lastly, many people like to keep their guest bathrooms/laundry rooms/closets within the white or off white shade range because those interior colors are often associated with cleanliness.
Tips for choosing the right interior color scheme
palette from Liberty London: The Modern Archive Collection—Dragonfly
No matter what emotions you want to invoke in your space, there are some additional key tips to consider when finding the right color palette for your space.
Find the right scheme
To understand how to choose the right shade range, you first need to understand the different possible color schemes.
An analogous color palette means utilizing colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. This is a simple way of finding different colors that will go with each other while still keeping your space looking interesting.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, a complementary scheme is when you use two colors on the opposite end of the color wheel. Think purple and yellow or orange and blue. This creates a bold, yet still put together look.
Monochromatic is when you use different shades of the same color. For example, sage, olive, emerald, and seafoam are all shades of green that can work together to create one cohesive space.
Lastly (and the boldest one), is called contrast. This is when a myriad of contrasting colors are used to keep the eye engaged and offer more freedom for decorating purposes.
Consider the lighting options
Although it may not be as obvious, lighting is a crucial aspect of choosing the right colors for your space. If your room has little to no natural light, you may want to opt for a bright color palette that will open up the space. If you have a lot of light, feel free to play around with darker tones. Also, always remember that colors will look different throughout the day and depending on your light fixture placement.
palette from Liberty London: The Modern Archive Collection—Lacquer
Don’t forget about the patterns
Patterns, prints, and textures are all important when perfecting your color palette and space. Make sure to have fun with your decor and play off of the overall mood of the room. The little details are where you can really shake it up.
Take inspiration from your wardrobe
Believe it or not, the way you design your space should be similar to the way you feel in your favorite clothes. You wouldn’t want to wear an outfit you don’t feel confident in so why design a space you’re not in love with? If you feel your sexiest in deep grays or blacks, choose a darker palette for your bedroom. If your mood is instantly boosted when you wear yellow, incorporate those shades into your living space. The options are truly endless but at the end of the day, do what makes you feel good.
Make sure to mix it up
Don’t feel like you have to only use only cool or only warm tones in your space–feel free to combine them! Opposing shades can open up the room and make an otherwise boring color palette feel fresh and new again.
Focus on the rule of three
If you’re really having a hard time narrowing down your color scheme, follow the rule of three. This is an interior design hack where you focus on just three colors to fill your room. This will help you nail down the exact shades you want to feature and will make shopping for decor that much easier.
At the end of the day, make sure to make your space your own! Your room or house has the power to lift you up, comfort you on hard days, and make you feel motivated to take on life–always remember that.
