How did you go about choosing a colour scheme?

5 years ago

I'm really struggling with colour schemes for a house renovation I'm doing. I'm usually ok with this kind of thing but short of getting an interior designer, what do you suggest? I'm really not into the grey, white trend but my other half doesn't really like bright interiors. So I feel like I'm left with beige any ideas?

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Comments (4)

Jonathan
5 years ago
I think it needn’t be that difficult.
Get a colour chart from be manufacturer- I like Farrow and Ball. Then choose 3 or 4 neutrals. Consider if you want yellow, green, grey, blue or red undertones and then stick to the decision. For instance I like a grey undertone as I feel it is more contemporary and would consider All White, Strong White and Cornforth White. Then choose a stronger colour you like- I like pigeon. Then choose a deep colour - I like Downpipe.
In my opinion you then have a palate to decorate with- use these colours again and again an different rooms in different quantities- so I might paint walls Cornforth White, ceilings Strong White and woodwork and coving in All White. In the next room I might use pigeon on the wall or keep the neural scheme but paint a feature wall in Downpipe. If there are any attic bedrooms then I would keep to the All White woodwork and then paint the walls and ceiling with All White or Strong white. If the bathroom is mainly tiles I might paint the walls Downpipe as a strong colour helps make a small space look more sophisticated when used with restraint.

But colour is also subjective so you must choose something you like. I do however feel that if you repeat a colour again and again in a house you get a feeling of continuity, the property feels bigger, decorating is easier and in fairness the light affects it from one room to the next so rarely looks exactly the same
PRO
K interiors
5 years ago
Hi Cher,

It is best to start with the fabric/soft furnishings for a room first, the paint colour is the last thing to choose.
As there are so many paint colours it’s easier that way. So find the things that you love like a picture,cushion,fabric and choose a colour that enhances your object.
I tend to keep the Hall neutral/pale shade and then paint each room from that it’s own shade but keeping a link through the rooms. Also it’s interesting sometimes to paint the woodwork a colour and the walls neutral ?
A house I designed recently had a very pale grey/blue in the hall and each room from that had it own colour but with a hint of blue running through the decor.
Hope this helps.
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Bonkers… aaaarrrggghhh! We don't know what to say, Tani. Not acceptable but this trade of ours is poor at this sort of thing. Mind you, you do get them FOC. Paint… there's another story. Have to pay £5+ for a weeny sample pot. Delays are flippin' annoying but much better to make sure you are certain about your choice. We don't have a display unit in our showroom (drat!) otherwise we'd suggest you come and have a look whilst sipping on one of our exceptionally decent coffees.
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I think it depends what your vibe is. Some people like saturated clean vibrant colours, some people (like myself) prefer muted earthy colours and lots of texture. I would also think about colour temperature. White walls, emerald green and grey may appear quite cool (temp) as a scheme, and as Esma pointed out, the value contrast between the curtains and wall will be very dominant. Its really difficult when you only have tiny samples, the carpet looks lovely, but it is hard to see what 'colour' it will appear when it's over a whole area. I am definitely with Beano about mustard and amber in terms of going with grey. Here are some images which show deep cool greens with white and amber (which includes wood). To me, the cognac, amber, tan leather (or whatever we call it) looks fab with white and lends a lovely mellow 70's vibe to the rooms. In the last image the walls aren't white and that lends a bit more warmth. Of course, white walls in a south facing room may look the same.
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You could always pick a colour off the tiles and once the cupboards have had a wash down with sugar soap paint them to match the tile. I’d probably go for the ? Dark green in the tile. We’ve just painted our very eighties brown kitchen a lovely teal blue. They look stunning with the new white work tops. B and Q cupboard paint.
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Tani H-S
5 years ago
I tend to only like whites, greys and darker blue tones ie navy colours. Prefer to add colour in my furnishings or with some wallpaper so if you aren’t sure what to do the you could always start with white walls and have a feature wall.

We have white with a deep navy in one room and in the other, white with a blue grey (more grey) wall.
Juliet Docherty
5 years ago
Firstly, I would work with what you have got in terms of light levels and aspects, secondly, try to create a limited palette that helps to keep things simple. I would avoid Farrow and Ball as they don't actually have a big enough range of neutrals and the paint doesn't cover that well. Paint and Paper Library and Little Greene are really good for coverage and their charts make choosing colours easier. I would start with a South facing room as these are easy to get right - almost anything works. Look at your saved images and ask if you prefer cool bluish interiors or warmer looking ones - it is a starting point. If you want things pale, then consider doing the woodwork a slightly darker colour, this looks very sophisticated. Choosing a woodwork colour that can be used throughout the house makes things easier, you can then vary the tone of the colours according to the light levels. Finally, consider the flooring you currently have, it makes all the difference to how you paint the walls. First image warm undertone, second image cool undertone.

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How did you go about choosing a colour scheme?

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Jonathan

K interiors

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Juliet Docherty

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