Colour Inspiration & Ideas

Colour plays a very important part in decorating any space. Not only does it liven up the space but it also affects our moods, restfulness and it reflects our taste and personality. Choosing a colour scheme is therefore a very important aspect of design.

There are two possibilities when designing any space :

1. Full renovation wherein you redesign every aspect of the home including flooring, built-in furniture, etc.

2. Decoration and styling wherein you change the soft furnishings, colour schemes and add artifacts, etc. to refresh an existing space.

Full renovation : In this case, the colour selection becomes a little more complex. You have to take into account many more elements and make sure they are all harmonious. In such cases, many experts will advise that you decide the look and feel and select the tiles, etc. first since these have slightly limited choices when compared to paint colours or soft furnishings. Many experts will also advise to go for a neutral palette and then weave in the colour scheme later through fabrics, wallpaper, paintings, etc. This gives the opportunity to keep changing the look and feel of the space frequently with very little extra cost. On the other hand, we have worked with clients who love colour and are happy to select darker colour schemes because it adds a unique touch to their space. We have designed a completely red bedroom at the request of a client (with much trepidation in the beginning) but it turned out spectacular and counts as one of our best designed spaces.

Partial renovation or just changing the decor and styling of your space will involve far less stress as the basic template is already available and you have to weave in a fresh design within an existing space. Contrary to popular belief, constraints - be it space or budget constraints - are actually a good thing as they provide some boundaries within which to think and this enables quicker and better decision-making. You can refresh your space just by adding a dash of colour through a texture wall or wallpaper and by changing a few cushions, curtains, etc. and adding a few interesting lights and paintings or artefacts.

How to go about choosing your colour scheme

Do a lot of homework and research. Scour the internet for colour schemes that you do like or the look and feel that appeals to you. Some people like the minimalist approach where less is more while others prefer to showcase large collections accumulated over travels or pieces that have been inherited and have sentimental value. I have 2 paintings that were painted by my late aunt. I was really close to her and they are the most important possessions I have, so my living room colour scheme is designed around those two paintings.

Once you have decided on the look and feel and colour scheme you like, start with selecting colours and soft furnishings to suit the look which are actually available. Not everything you see on the internet will be available locally so mix n match what is available readily to achieve the look you were aiming for.

Always make actual paint samples instead of selecting paint from a palette book. The paint can look different on paper and also will change depending on how old is the sample book you are using. It is therefore best to make samples and hold them up under different lighting conditions to see how they behave at different times. Once you finalise the colour, go about finding soft furnishings to suit this scheme. Find furnishings in similar tones and also other complementary colours. Use bold colours and patterns to liven up the space.

Finally add some soft throws, a couple of interesting lamps and some beautiful paintings to finish off. You can also use books, plants, etc. to add a dash of colour, pattern and freshness to your space.

Happy decorating!

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