Color Selection
Christiansen & Company
Painting your neighborhood since 1982
(610) 964-0159
Step - By Step Color Selection
1. Identify the “fixed” elements of your room that you are not planning on changing. For example, furniture, rugs, fireplace, color of woodwork or tiling, etc. All paint colors must coordinate with these elements.
2. Identify the room’s natural attributes, such as room size and lighting, and the way in which you want the color of the room to affect those attributes. Keep in mind cool (blue, violet and green), dark colors recede and seem to pull away from you, making the room seem larger, while warm (red, orange and yellow), light colors expand and seem to come towards you, making the room seem smaller. It’s important that you make a final selection only after viewing a sample of your color choice in the room you are painting so you can see how natural and artificial light affects the color.
3. Identify what the room will be used for – rest, play, work or dining. Think about what colors make you feel comfortable, energetic or inspired. Keep in mind the colors you choose to work with will determine whether the environment is dramatic or subtle. Some colors are associated with moods. Here are some basic associations;
• Red – energy & passion
• Orange – active & inviting
• Yellow – bright & sunny
• Green – calm & serene
• Blue – refreshing & inspiring
• Purple – cleaning & soothing
• Neutrals – subtle & elegant
4. Start with colors in tones that naturally appeal to you. Tip; outline a large photocopy of a picture of your room. Duplicate this several times to get a few black & white images. Use colored pencils to experiment with different color schemes and you’ll be ahead of the game before you turn to chips or actual paint samples.
Step - By Step Color Selection
1. Identify the “fixed” elements of your room that you are not planning on changing. For example, furniture, rugs, fireplace, color of woodwork or tiling, etc. All paint colors must coordinate with these elements.
2. Identify the room’s natural attributes, such as room size and lighting, and the way in which you want the color of the room to affect those attributes. Keep in mind cool (blue, violet and green), dark colors recede and seem to pull away from you, making the room seem larger, while warm (red, orange and yellow), light colors expand and seem to come towards you, making the room seem smaller. It’s important that you make a final selection only after viewing a sample of your color choice in the room you are painting so you can see how natural and artificial light affects the color.
3. Identify what the room will be used for – rest, play, work or dining. Think about what colors make you feel comfortable, energetic or inspired. Keep in mind the colors you choose to work with will determine whether the environment is dramatic or subtle. Some colors are associated with moods. Here are some basic associations;
• Red – energy & passion
• Orange – active & inviting
• Yellow – bright & sunny
• Green – calm & serene
• Blue – refreshing & inspiring
• Purple – cleaning & soothing
• Neutrals – subtle & elegant
4. Start with colors in tones that naturally appeal to you. Tip; outline a large photocopy of a picture of your room. Duplicate this several times to get a few black & white images. Use colored pencils to experiment with different color schemes and you’ll be ahead of the game before you turn to chips or actual paint samples.
