Create
a Focal Point
Emphasize your home's attractive architectural features, such
as crown molding or arched window treatments, with contrasting
paint — lighter or darker than the wall — or by
painting them with a glossy finish. You can also make one wall
an accent wall by painting it a different color, giving it
a faux finish, adding wallpaper or a border.
Unify the Color Flow
You can unify rooms by using a common color palette. Create
distinct spaces by altering the shade and hue within the
common palette.
Emphasize or Minimize
Color can emphasize certain features - and minimize others.
A long narrow room will look wider if you use a slightly
darker color on the shorter walls and a lighter color on
the longer walls. You can make a ceiling appear higher
by applying a lighter color, or lower with a darker color.
To give a big room a more intimate feel, paint the walls
in colors that advance toward you, such as red, gold, orange
and brown. To help a small room seem larger, paint the
walls in colors that make them appear to recede, such as
blue, green or violet.
Reflect on Light Sources
Remember that the color you choose may look different at
various times of the day and night. The warm tones of incandescent
lights will have a different influence on the color than
the natural light of day. Once you're aware of how different
light sources can affect your color choices, you can change
your room's "mood" to match the pace of your
day.
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