Rebecca Decorates

Rebecca Decorates

Use Colour to Fool the Eye

Few people are offered the perfect room to decorate or to live in. Unless you are part of the planning and building of a home, youíll probably be faced with a room thatís too large or too small, cramped or cavernous, cold or dark.

Paint colour, sheen, pattern and texture can be combined to create a number of interesting and individual looks for the home. Colour is often the first consideration when redecorating but to successfully create todayís contemporary looks, itís helpful to have some understanding of basic design principals and the roles of paint within a space.

By using colour in fabrics, wall coverings and paints, you can work miracles to help make a room more comfortable. Follow some of these tips to create the look you want:

Monochromatic colour schemes are generally easy to create and impart a sophisticated feel within a space. A monochromatic palette consists of different tints or shades of the same colour. If youíre trying to create the look of uniformity or to unify two or more spaces, itís a good idea to use the same base colour for all the walls. The rooms will flow and blend rather than stand alone.
Contrast can be a powerful element. Often when two contrasting colours are used, one appears warm and the other cool. Contrasting colours do not have to be bold; they can be soft and subtle. Take your cue from the room: bold in the living room or family room and softer in the bedroom.
If you have a space that just feels too big, break up the colour. Paint one wall in a wild orange or strong brown. You could even use a near-black as a dramatic backdrop for furniture and art. These bold, strong colours will draw the eye and fool it into thinking that the space is smaller. If you prefer subtle colour changes, choose different hues of the same colour in soft tone and paint adjoining walls in the different hues. The look will be harmonious and not jolting to the eye but the space will definitely appear to be broken up.