So, many reasons to use colour on the larger spaces in a home. But if you’re still not
convinced, you can introduce colour with the furniture and homewares you choose
for your interior. Buy that red sofa, if you love it!
A colour consultant can give you the best confidence in colour selection. You can use
a colour wheel at a cost of about $15 to assist with choosing complementary and
accent colours.
Other tips are to pick fabric colours or artwork first, and then choose wall paint to
tone in.
Select a natural, non-toxic or low VOC paint to prevent the off-gases affecting you
and your family. Most of these paint suppliers will be able to colour match a colour
you like, even if it’s not on their colour chart.
3. Proportion and Scale
Again, often where people can go wrong is using the right proportion and scale
between objects in a space. It is difficult and does require a keen and
knowledgeable eye.
There is a design theory of three that can be applied. Our eye likes groupings of
three. So, for example, a sofa height and artwork above it, combined, should take up
approximately two-thirds of the wall space, to create the right sense of balance.
You do need to create a cityscape of varying heights in a room. In a living room for
example, the coffee table should be at a lower height (and no higher) than the seat
height of your sofa. A side table, higher than the coffee table, but no higher than the
top of the sofa or chair arm.
Train your eye on proportion, scale and balance in a room, by studying pictures of
interiors you like. Notice how the principle of three has been applied, the size and
scale of the furniture and how the placement of furniture and accessories has created
a variety of different heights.
4. Avoid Matchy Matchy
Taking a green or sustainable styling approach to decorating your home, it is not a
suggestion to rely on a single material, for example, hardwood, or natural plywood,
to be “eco”. Otherwise, you could end up with a look of a wood cabin rather than a
modern and comfortable home.
Even if you have wood or bamboo floors and walls, there is the opportunity to create
focus or drama and impact with colour and, or, texture.
Layering is important especially with technical materials and appliances say in a
kitchen or bathroom, to use natural and recycled materials to add warmth and
irregularity.
By avoiding buying all your furnishings from the same place, will help to lead you
away from not having enough variation and interest in your home.
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