Why Use A Color Scheme?
A brief discussion on how color schemes can be helpful and an exploration of how they can be applied. Color schemes can be used as strictly or loosely as the designer/client sees fit. However, a scheme is an incredibly useful tool for someone who is not sure what to do with their space. My advice is to always have a little fun with your interiors, color is one of the best ways to do so.
Having a color scheme created for you can make a huge difference to how you approach furnishing and decorating.
One of the main reasons people feel overwhelmed when decorating is because of options, whether it’s too many or, what can feel like not enough. Utilizing a color scheme makes this easier.
Let’s say this is the scheme: Navy, Tan, Charcoal, White and Black.
If you are the kind of person who is absolutely overwhelmed by options, the rules applied by using this color scheme just eliminated so many of them. If the sofa you love comes in 400 different fabrics and you know you want it to be navy because of the color scheme you figured out with your designer - you probably only have 20 fabrics to choose from now. Much better!
On the other hand, you may have felt like nothing was jumping out at you sofa wise because no options have “felt right”. Knowing you have the options of navy, tan, charcoal, white and black gives you somewhere to start. If the decision is navy sofa, the next step is exploring sofa options available in navy. The color scheme gives you somewhere to start, rather than just looking until something grabs you - which takes much more time and effort.
Wesley Hall Banquette and Dining Chairs
A color scheme does not have to be dreamt up from one’s imagination. More often than not, it is inspired by something, like a pattern for instance, and then built on from there. This is clear in the photo of this dining room above. We can assume the color scheme was based on the fabric applied to the banquette;
rust orange
olive green
gold
navy
beige
The designer than used these colors throughout the rest of the scheme. You can find rust in the painting, green in the throw pillow and plants, gold tones in the wood of the dining table, navy in the piping on the dining chairs and beige in the rug and curtains. Even with all of those colors, that some would argue do not “traditionally” work together, the scene looks purposeful. The color scheme is what really brings it all together.
Don't Be Afraid To Be Bold
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Don't Be Afraid To Be Bold 〰️
CR Laine Austin Sofa
Sometimes developing a color scheme is as easy as picking your favorite color and running with it! For someone who loves bright, spring green - that might feel impossible to implement into your home. The fact of the matter is, you can use ANY colors you want…being purposeful about it is what matters.
Notice here how the designer used this green in not one, not two, but in three ways in this living room. There are a few reasons this works;
There are three different textures. Leather on the chairs, paint on the artwork and the ferns are a natural material.
This bold color choice is the only color choice. The designer has allowed the spring green to steal the show, it’s purely accompanied by the tones of grey, black and white.
The color is spread through the area. If that green was on the artwork, sofa and coffee table, it would not feel as seamless.
So don’t worry about using a color that “doesn’t belong”. If it’s something that makes you happy when you see it, get a professional involved to make it work the way you want.
It’s your home, fill it with what you love.
Pro Tip:
Whenever I have a client who is wary of adding color to their home, for whatever reason it may be, I always recommend at least bringing in a bit of color inspired by the view outside the nearest window(s). It’s touches like this that can really bring a furnish project to the next level!
Bramble Kranton Dining Table, Buffet and Mirrors.
