The most important thing is to look at your chosen colour at all times of day. Pin up a sample and keep looking at it day and night and under electric light. Fluorescent strip lighting, in particular, will change its appearance.

  • The light in this country is cold and northern, which makes colours look dull.
Neutral carpet - light and colour in interior design
  • Work out which direction your room faces. If it's north-facing then it's likely not to get much sun and it will probably feel cold. Shades from the cool side of the colour wheel will make it look even colder, so warm it up with cosy tones.
  • A south-facing room will get lots of light. If you want it to look sunny choose warm shades, although these might be overpowering in the full glare of the sun. To keep the room light and airy, choose cool shades.
  • If your room is dark and dingy, painting it brilliant white won't help. White without light looks grey.
  • Overhead lighting makes colour look flat. Try using a dimmer and lots of ambient lighting.
  • A pale neutral may look washed out in strong daylight or artificial light - try a more intense shade.
  • Halogen bulbs give a truer representation of colour than ordinary tungsten ones.

Natural Inspiration

Nature is one of the most inspiring influences when planning colour schemes.

If you are lost and uninspired when it comes to finding the perfect palette to decorate your home, simply look around you. Just like Mother Nature, you can make it work for you.

Flowers are perfect for studying complementary colours. Look at the delicate mauve of a crocus bulb paired with its opposite colour of vibrant yellow on its stamens, or consider the vibrant red berries nestling beside a glossy, green holly leaf.

Leaves

Nature demonstrates how a toning scheme never needs to be dull. Think of the several different shades of green leaves, grass and trees beautifully co-existing.

If you want a harmonious colour scheme, study the myriad shades of golden yellow and russet reds slowly turning into copper on an autumnal day, or look at a garden border to see how the pinks of lupins graduate into the bluey mauves and purples of delphiniums and foxgloves. Clashing colours may also brighten many garden borders.

Use beach influences, copy the perfect neutrals of slate grey pebbles mixed with the muted browns and caramels of driftwood and sand.

Find out more about the impact of colour schemes...