Color Decor Ideas

Go to the Color Wheel

• Decorating with color begins with the color wheel. Any artisan or designer who uses color looks to the color wheel at some point for inspiration. Colors on the opposite sides of the wheel are considered complementary or contrasting colors. Colors adjacent to one another are analogous colors. For bold color combinations, pair colors at opposite ends of the color wheel, like blue and yellow or red and green. Don't forget you can also make a huge impact with subtle differences in shade and intensity. Your purple may actually be a toned-down eggplant and your yellow a bold sunflower color, or you can go with a bright lilac and creamy mustard. The two can look very different in the same room.

Stick With One Color

• You can make a huge impact with one focal point created with color. If you favor neutral palettes where creams, whites and natural hues reign, add a sofa in a rich slate blue with a similarly colored accent vase on the corner table. The dark color against the lighter tones can add depth to the room without making it seem dreary or cramped. You can also choose one color to use throughout the room in small accent pieces. If you have a black and white room, you might add red, yellow or even magenta accents here and there. Don't forget to look at colors in wall art and books as well. You can strategically display books on a case and photos or paintings on a wall that have just a bit of green to accent your yellow and orange combination.

Something Unexpected

• Pick small accent pieces like vases, throw pillows, lampshades and accent chairs to add a bold color. For instance, if you have a room with a primarily green and blue palette, toss in a bold yellow pair of throw pillows or a vase of orange poppies. Don't be afraid to add a rich pattern or texture to go with the color as well. Adding that one last burst of color can unify a room. For instance, if you have a country-style sun room with pinks, creams and touches of light yellow infused in all parts of the room, painting the ceiling a slightly darker yellow can bring all those elements together.

Making the Decision

• Gather a variety of paint chips at your local paint store, even color choices you may not favor on first glance. Spread the chips out on a large, white surface. Experiment with color combinations by arranging and rearranging two to four colors together until you come up with a color scheme that has balance. You might have two colors that are analogous, another one to neutralize and still another that will be your accent piece.