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Blue
There are so many shades of blue that the colour can range from the lightest shade which is a pastel to the dark navy which is almost black.
The lighter blues normally work for bedrooms and lounges where they mix well with other lighter colours. a shade called powder blue is the one most often chosen for walls.
It can be pretty boring and a textured wall or prints in a darker shade may be called for to provide a little relief to the plainness.
The medium range blues make a good choice for children’s playrooms as they usually provide a bright background for murals in primary colours which are typical of nurseries. And they do not show up dirty as much as the lighter shades do.
Green
This is often called the colour of hospitals. In theatres it does not reflect light as white does and it is also said that it does not show up blood splattered on the walls as much as other colours. Urgh! Not a very pleasant thought. It is also believed to have a calming effect on the patients and their visitors.
But green comes in many shades and it can be used in any other room. I have seen many lounges done up in green and they look superb.
Traditionally, green is mixed with cream or shades of brown and with blending prints on the soft furnishings.
If you like the colour but want something more modern you can mix it with gold or silver and avoid prints altogether.
Or you can try mixing with blues, and this usually works if you go for lighter shades of both colours which will blend in for a very soothing look as you will have the symbolism of blue for water and green for vegetation. This is ideal for a room that you want to relax in like a lounge or a bedroom.
Brown
This is another very “safe” colour and the lighter shades like beige are the ones that are normally chosen for wall. With this colour you can change the room furniture and look without having to repaint the wall as the colour will go with many combinations.
Brown is for spaces that tend to see a lot of use like hallways and public waiting rooms as it will not show up scuffs too badly. But there is a catch with brown. It is for a good reason that it has earned the label of “boring”. It is all to easy to produce a bland and totally unremarkable room if you use brown as your starting point.
To avoid that do not put plain brown furniture in a beige room. If you really want it brown then go for some unusual designs with fabrics that are textured.
Bring in other colours with cushions and decorations. Orange and dusky shades of red will brighten the room without disturbing its tranquility. You can even try shades of blue and green as they will be right at home with the natural tone.
Red
If you are going for the oriental look, then chances are high that red will play an important part in your room design. On the wall the colour does tend to be overwhelming and many people opt to incorporate it in the paintings instead.
Go for simple elegant furniture with clean lines and no embellishments. Almost any pastel in a smooth fabric would be a good choice for the soft furnishings. That way the room retains its elegance and does not look like a harem.
Black
Yes, you really can have a black wall if you so wish. There is no law that says you cannot. Black is elegant and very sophisticated. It is very individual and it says you are not afraid to make a statement or just be who you are.
If you want it in a lounge but you do not want your visitors to start thinking that you belong to some devil-worshipping cult or something, then maybe just put it on one wall and colour the rest in different bright colours.
You can then make the black wall the backdrop for your pictures, wall hangings, family portraits, bric-a-brac collection or whatever so that it is not stark. (Just do not put any skulls or stuffed hyenas unless you want to give out confirmation for the cult rumours.) Bathrooms come out great in black. Think of total black and gold faucets; totally superb!
Metallic
Yes, you can paint your walls with metallic colours like silver, chrome and gold. Most probably you would be going with an ultra modern look with minimalist and futurist furniture; space age.
Dramatic pieces in bold colours go well with the metallic motif. It says you are who you are, a person of the IT age and anyone coming into your space will have to accept that.
The kitchen is one room that really turns out beautifully when done in metallic tones. It says you are going to produce healthy no fuss meals in a space that is easy to keep clean and hygienic. If you have an open plan kitchen, eating area and lounge this could really work out for you as your kitchen will be a showpiece itself.
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Remember to visualize your complete room first before you start buying anything. If you are not computer savvy, get a graphic artist to produce the room you envision for you so that you can see if the final outcome is what you really want before you make a costly mistake.
Be sure to join me next week as we explore ways of creating a focal point in your entertainment area.