How to Create a Color Plan for Your Home

One of the simplest and economical ways to give your home a facelift is to change the color scheme. Sounds easy enough, right? However, people get very intimidated about making a change. They are terrified of making a mistake, so what they need is a plan. 

First make an assessment of the natural light coming into the space; lighting is everything when choosing color. When you are able to determine the hue or value of the color you want then you can build upon the plan. Start with the “run” color, which is the common area color that starts in the foyer, and carries you through the house. This color should be somewhat neutral, because you want everything to flow from that. Currently the trend is to “de-gold.” For the most part, mustards and strong yellows are out, and we are using more earth-tones, beiges and taupes. 

Also, when determining the run color, you should take into account the trim color. White trim has always been a standard, and is gaining popularity again. So if you didn’t change it before, leave it white. I like to keep the trim color consistent throughout; it adds to the continuity and flow of the house. 

Lighter colors enlarge a space, and we all like space. Deeper colors add coziness, so it’s a personal preference hinging on what you are trying to achieve.

If you are planning on selling, your color choices should be somewhat conservative to “appeal to the masses,” but it’s important to choose based on your furnishings to get the optimum presentation when staged.

After your trim and run color is set, you can then start building on the plan by creating a color scheme that flows. The dining room and living room can have a separate color, if there is a reason for going that direction (i.e., fabric or furniture) just keep each color complementing the run color, or continue with the run color in rooms you have not yet determined their style or function. 

If you are concerned that too much beige or taupe is an issue, add an accent color in the ceiling, or inside built-ins or for some interest, a textured/patterned wallpaper for a wall. I know people all have a horror story about wallpaper, but it’s back and the patterns contain less florals and stripes. 

A key thing to remember, is when starting out, “less is more,” you can always add color.