Too many colours?

5 years ago

Hi, we have spent the last two years updating our 1950s house. It’s been great fun but now I’m worried that we have used too many colours. My daughter thinks there should be one colour theme throughout the house, whereas we have styled each room separately. I know there is no right or wrong but what do others think? Thanks

Featured Answer

Ribena Drinker

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I would say, if you like it as it is, then that's all that matters. It's your house, make it look how you want it to look and what suits you.

Personally, I think too many people get caught up with how others may judge their house and they try to do things for other reasons, other than because that's what they like. Also a lot of people slavishly follow fashion, which to my mind often creates a pastiche of rooms that they see in pictures, but lacks the spark of personality.

As Colourhappy says, rooms each have a different feel to them, sometimes it's down to use, sometimes it's down to the light, sometimes it's down to the proportions, so what works in one room, may be wrong for another room. And really, why should a house "flow" if that isn't your thing?

I think my house is cohesive, because I have a particular style, it's not something I actively do, it's how the rooms just happen to come together. When doing them, each of my rooms "speak" to me and I get an impression of how I want them to look. All of them are in different colours, all of them have a slightly different feel, but overall it all hangs together because it's my style throughout. Sure, I take inspiration from things I see, but they don't govern what I do.

Frankly I don't give a monkeys if other people don't like it, or don't think it adequately "flows". I live here, people visit and stay occasionally, everyone seems to be happy to be here. It's not fashionable, faddy or trend following, but I think it's conducive to the style and age of my house and is clearly a home to feel happy and comfortable in.

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Comments (18)

Anthony (Beano)
5 years ago
Depends on the colours, any pics?
Dawn Mimnagh thanked Anthony (Beano)
rinked
5 years ago
It's your home, do YOU like it?

The only theme in my 1950s house is white trim throughout. :)
Dawn Mimnagh thanked rinked
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It looks nice actually. I think the issue here isn't that you have to much color. The challenge is tying them all together so there is a coherent theme in the room. This is done by choosing pictures on the walls that incorporate all the colours in the room Choosing cushions on the chairs that borrows it's tones from the Furniture Finally changing the curtains to one that is of some colours. Colours borrowed from the ceiling and upholstery. You can have fun with the curtain designs, drapes, patterns, colours anything other than eyelet curtains. I like your space Ayesha. Send us more pictures
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Sonia
5 years ago
Oops I’ve got a different colour in every room! All soft pastels apart from a navy wall, so there isn’t a massive colour clash.
Dawn Mimnagh thanked Sonia
Dawn Mimnagh
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks! Most of ihe rooms are low key creams, duck egg etc. Its the lounge that worries me - we decided to use quite bright colours as it is a big room. Now I’m worrried that it’s garish
Dawn Mimnagh
Original Author
5 years ago
What’d you think?
Dawn Mimnagh
Original Author
5 years ago
My husband and I can’t see why she dislikes it so much ♀️ She’s is her twenties and likes everything grey
Sonia
5 years ago
I don’t think it’s too bright. Love your rug! I think grey is a great neutral but it can be oh so dull if everything is one grey tone. Obviously if you want to change it then do, but not just because someone else says you should :-)
Dawn Mimnagh thanked Sonia
Jules Mc
5 years ago
Looks like a welcoming cosy room to me. I also like your rug but I'm not a fan of rugs on top of carpet also think it's too small for the space. For that reason I'd lose it and perhaps see does it work better in another room. I'd also pull your sofas away from the walls/windows a little and try experiment to with your cushions. You have neutrals on one sofa and bright colours on the other. Other than that I'd sit back and enjoy the room.
Dawn Mimnagh thanked Jules Mc
Anthony (Beano)
5 years ago
Ahh, I thought you didn’t like it! Wouldn’t worry too much about it then, if you like it then that’s the main thing, does she have a house? My mum and dads house isn’t to my taste but it done very well and they like it, I help paint etc, don’t mind what the colour is, as long as it makes them smile!
Dawn Mimnagh thanked Anthony (Beano)
tamp75
5 years ago
It’s not too garish at all. I was expecting hot pink & lime green splashed over the walls, which might be a bit full on in a lounge (but each to their own)! I would say that your lounge doesn’t appear to be overly ‘modern’ in style, e.g with the greys that your daughter likes, which is probably why it doesn’t get her approval but it does look warm, comfortable & cosy. So if you love it, then relax & enjoy it!
Dawn Mimnagh thanked tamp75
A B
5 years ago
I agree with your daughter. However do what suits you it’s your house!
Dawn Mimnagh
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thanks all. Really helpful. I couldn’t find a rug large enough that I liked can you believe. I might put it into the adjoining dining room which has a wood floor. The larger sofa is not near the wall although you can’t tell in the photo. The room is really big so I guess I thought it could handle the cheerful colours! Good tip about moving the cushions around too :)
E D
5 years ago
To give a better impression of the room and its colour(s), photos taken by daylight would be really helpful.

I agree with others as long as you enjoy your home it’s fine.

Your daughter remarked though about one colour scheme throughout the house.

I think she has a point, complementing colours will help a house ‘flow’ better I feel, but of course there are no set rules. :)
Juliet Docherty
5 years ago
I don't think you should have the same colours in lots of different rooms necessarily, but it makes sense for a house to look cohesive. Different rooms can have totally a different 'feel' depending on the light levels and that usually determines colours etc.
Dawn Mimnagh thanked Juliet Docherty
Dawn Mimnagh
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks all for the lovely and uplifting comments. I am not overly bothered about what people think generally but family have a way of getting to you. Lol! I am reassured as well as inspired. Thanks again :)
PRO
Cormar Carpets
5 years ago
Hi Dawn, not at all! We love the colours – we think it looks like a very cosy, comfortable living room.
HU-804291259
5 years ago
You have a lovely room. Each to their own. As long as you like the colours that's all that matters.

Too many colours?

Ribena Drinker

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