When it comes to paint colors, choosing the wrong one for any room in your home can change the mood to an unfortunate setting. You may have picked too bright or too neutral of a color that may not match with your furniture. In addition, choosing a trendy color won’t always be the best decision in years to come, as your taste may change. The exception to the rule is your child’s bedroom. Children tend to latch on to a bright color that they want everywhere, so you can even add accessories or toys that will invoke the same type of mood while keeping the furniture simple. In essence, you should choose a color that you can love for an extended period of time. Now we will explore the “do’s” and “don’ts” of paint so you can get a better idea of how to color your home with your pieces of furniture in mind.
Don’ts
Here we will explain a few colors that are known to have negative connotations for a room, according to research that Elle Décor provided.
Opaque Couche
Opaque couche (greenish brown) is a color that makes you feel alone and negative. In essence, it causes your mood to diminish. In addition, this color is being used to discourage people from smoking so it is not a healthy color to use with your furniture.
Peach Fuzz
Peach fuzz is a dusty color that you may not see at first as a “don’t.” This color can enrich your home when used for accents, but as an overall color to a room, it becomes dated and does not promote the beauty of your furniture. The dustiness of the color can literally make a room feel as if it is old and for lack of better words, dusty.
Poppy Red
Although we are discussing poppy red in particular, any bright red colors are not recommended for your home. It is best to not combine a strong color with your pieces of furniture. Bright red tends to induce anger, which is not an emotion you would like to feel with your family. You want to feel safe and relaxed when in the comfort of your home.
Do’s
In this section, we will introduce the “do’s” colors that generate positive moods for any room in your home.
Soft colors have the ability to portray a room as brighter and bigger. According to Houzz, soft colors are recommended for large spaces, as they achieve a sense of calmness. They also work wonders for small spaces, as they end up feeling substantial and open. Folded Card, Greenery, Oyster Bay, and Mindful Gray are essential colors to consider. Any of these four colors are essential for enhancing your home and furniture with simplicity and a positive feel.
Folded Card Ralph Lauren
Folded Card resembles a “classic sea foam blue.” In a paint color tips article by HGTV, “soft, cool colors and neutrals usually create a quieter feeling while stronger colors are for drama.” When you begin to think about the mood you want in each room, Folded Card has the ability to complement your living room because you and your guests can achieve a feeling of peacefulness and comfort. Alejandra Avila, one of our very own interior decorators, recommends using chrome and glass in order to complement the soothing feeling of Folded Card. In the picture below, you will see an encounter between these materials and fabric. The light gray polyester fabric of the Alonzo Gray Sectional Sofa w/Right Chaise balances the open setting of the living room while the polished stainless steel Tower Coffee Table and Sacha Bench achieve a sense of clarity. These pieces of furniture accompany Folded Card for a perfect balance of soft and neutral colors.
Greenery
Greenery, which is described as a zesty yellow-green shade, has been announced as the color of the year. According to the Pantone Color Institute, “fortifying attributes of Greenery signal consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.” In essence, Greenery is a sign of relaxation. This hue can work with simple modern furniture, as it resembles the lushness of the great outdoors and reminds us of the first few days of the spring season. Furthermore, Avila suggests adding furniture or accessories with a splash of color such as orange or yellow that can help showcase Greenery in any room you choose. In the picture below, you will see that the Andrea White Leather Power Reclining Sofa exudes simplicity with genuine top grain leather and curved design while the orange rug brings a touch of character to your living room. In addition, the aluminum rivets and brushed stainless steel of the Aviator Coffee Table soften the setting with a gray distressed finish.
Oyster Bay Sherwin Williams
Oyster Bay is light blue/green with a gray touch. Houzz recommends using a soft color in a large space to achieve a calming effect. Let’s say you have a big living room and constantly use it with friends or family. This hue allows you to achieve a sense of comfortability for you and any guests you may have. The Luciano Sectional Sofa utilizes polyester fabric to complete the calming look with a cream finish. The Aviator Black Leather Accent Chairs and Nest Coffee Table add on to this look by focusing on stainless steel for a clean, modern finish. The combination of Oyster Bay and these pieces of furniture allow this living room to feel spacious and ideal for any occasion.
Mindful Gray Sherwin Williams
Using a soft color like Mindful Gray enhances your home with a feeling of tranquility. This color is essential in any area that already feels open so you can use natural daylight to show the truest color. A perfect example of a room for this color can be a kitchen with an abundance of natural light and windows. Your space will not feel busy or overwhelming. Additionally, Avila believes having wooden furniture complements the comforting feeling of Mindful Gray. In the picture below, you will see the Memphis Platform Bed. The European-inspired design of this bed, with walnut Canaletto veneers and a polyester coating, emphasizes a natural look for your bedroom that balances the wall color overall. In addition, the Enzo Blue Leather Swivel Chair’s mid-century modern design contributes to the peaceful feel of Mindful Gray with light blue genuine leather and bent wood sides.
Joanna Gaines
Joanna Gaines is known for her impeccable taste in interior design. In any home, colors play a large role and she shares the best options for paint colors with her loyal fans. She has a keen eye for opening up a room to natural light with a calm feeling.
Silverado Sage
Gaines describes Silverado Sage as a moody color. The name is a native Texan plant that always endures through the summer heat, so this color is strong for your home. It is a color that isn’t as soft as a light gray or pink so you can add simple accessories to complement the moody look. The Riata Bedroom Set uses its dark brown color and walnut veneers to balance the mood.
Magnolia Green
Magnolia Green is considered a bold color. Gaines explains that it’s a classic go-to green that can stand the test of time. In addition, using a color like this one can give your home a balance between bold and soft colors that you choose to use. For example, if several rooms in your home have soft colors, adding a bold color to a whole room or accent wall can create a focal point. The Theodore Burgundy Leather Power Reclining Sectional complements Magnolia Green with genuine leather and a dark brown finish, creating a visual statement for your home.
In essence, picking colors for your home can be a stressful time for you and your family. By deciding which mood you would like to create in each room, the whole process becomes easier. Soft colors invoke a sense of calmness while bright colors are dramatic and induce certain moods. Keep in mind that adding a moody or bold color to your home is recommended, as it can provide a unique finish that complements your furniture. Now that you have seen the “do’s” and “don’ts” of paint colors, let us know what you think by commenting below! We wish you the best of luck in the painting process!
About Alejandra Avila:
Alejandra found inspiration for her career in interior decorating when she went on a cruise when she was 17 and fell in love with the interior design of the ship. She has worked at El Dorado Furniture for four months and considers her favorite style to be a combination of rustic and industrial influences.