How to Mix and Match the Decor With the Paint Color for the Wall in Oranges

Use color theory to create some preliminary color schemes for your room. One might feature analogous colors, with yellows and browns joining a tawny or brownish orange. Given the composition of many shades of brown, a beige/wheat/sand color scheme accented with touches of orange qualifies as an analogous scheme. Monochromatic schemes might move from white and cream to pale orange-sherbet walls with small accents of stronger orange tones. Complementary color schemes put contrasting colors together. Envision an orange wall in a room furnished predominantly in blues.

Create a notebook to record ideas and collect samples of materials you might like to use in your color scheme. Collect paint chips, which can form a background for thinking about color combinations. One of the promotion points of paint chips, after all, is their consistency. You can use them when hunting for textiles, furniture wood tones and even flooring. Add swatches of fabrics and samples of carpeting, curtains or other large decorating features.

View sample colors in a variety of lights before making final choices. A warm, light orange that glows in your notebook may fade to one more dull cream shade in the light of your dining room. What looks good in natural light may change under artificial evening light. Post samples and swatches on the walls of the room where they will be used. Orange can be a complex color, containing varying amounts of red, yellow, white and black. If you are uncertain about using a large amount of a particular orange in your decor, ask your paint supplier if you can purchase a small sample jar of your shade to test on your walls.

Proceed with caution when introducing a strong color into your decor. Like other members of the red family, orange can bring a zing or an overbearing brightness to a room. Orange accents -- a mirror frame, throw pillows, area rugs and small furniture pieces -- are not difficult to brighten up, while walls may be hard to tone down. Take time to decide, add more color cautiously and enjoy your results.