How to choose a colour palette for your home

Creating a personalised colour scheme The colour wheel made of primary, secondary and tertiary colours can help create a personalised palette for your home. Choice among the various hues and shades can be a daunting task. “One of the main tips would be to take cue from the personality of the home owner. The space should create an experience suited to the end user” says Poddar. A great tip that most designers give is to ask the question, ‘which colours do you love?’. Colours evoke emotions and choosing those that are close to the liking of the owner, weaken the odds of them growing bored of it. “Colours form an integral part in my design process from the initiation stage itself. While executing residential interiors catering to the end user’s colour preferences becomes my baseline for design development. At each stage of the project a detailed dialogue is struck with the family which helps us narrow down on their colour palette preferences” says Gauri Karnani, Founder of A+G Architecture and Project Management. Colour schemes are mostly created in four possible ways: Monochromatic: The monochromatic color scheme uses tone on tone of the same color with the addition of white or black to lighten or darken the color. Analogous: The monochromatic color scheme uses tone on tone of the same color with the addition of white or black to lighten or darken the color. Contrast: The contrast scheme is more dramatic. Here a triad of contrasting colors is used, such as yellow-orange, green-blue and red-purple. This introduces more color and energy into one’s home palette. Complementary: In the complementary scheme, two opposing colors, such as blue and orange, are used together to create a dramatic, bold and high energy color scheme. “When it comes to residential projects, I intend to choose earthy colour palette as we strive to contain nature in our layout with rustic tones of interiors. We try and hold it raw by creating our personal colour tones” says Paritosh Bajaj, Principal Architect at Studio Sabhsai. Things to consider while choosing a colour palette When choosing a palette for a home, it is best to start with contrasts. Pairing light over dark or vice-versa can give a fair idea of how comfortable are the people who will live in the house are with the colours. Adding colour to this contrast will further infuse energy and vibrance to the home. The question is all about the placement of the colour. “To my opinion an explicit colour palette should not only enhance the well-crafted interiors of the residence but should also closely compliment the family’s general routine and overall lifestyle. Every design goes through several stages of preparing mood boards, accurately mapping textures and also iterations of 3D renderings to reach client satisfaction. Accurate hues in a personal space always help to achieve the desired warmth that every individual longs for in their home. The desired result to meet the family’s satisfaction is gracefully achieved using a distinct combination of finishes comprising of veneers, wall papers, graphics, upholstery etc.” says Karnani. Flow of the colour tones Wall paints are a fairly permanent job and changing them frequently can comes with its own hassles. For this purpose, it is best to get sample size paints in your choice of colours and paint a small area. Take a look around the home and see how this sample paint flows and looks with the other rooms of the house. A colour that complements other rooms of the home makes it look aesthetically appealing. An adjoining room may want a nonaccent or a neutral color, or conversely, you can work with contrasting tones as well as long as there is always a semblance of flow. According to Poddar, “The colours you choose do not always have to match, but should rather complement one another. While each space can look and feel distinct, it is important to create a cohesive connection by using complementary colors. Choosing colors that have the same temperature (i.e., are all warm colors or are all cool colors) will usually flow well. Warm colours like orange, red, yellow are associated with heightened emotions and passion as well as joy and playfulness while cool colors like blue, green make you feel calm, relaxed, and refreshed.” “An accent or feature wall in a shade that is warmer or cooler than your main color can add some drama. One can also match the wall color to a color in your favorite piece of artwork or other home accent”, she adds. Lighting of the space A colour can be seen its full potential in daylight. It changes looks as the day or seasons progress. When choosing your palette, ensure you check them out in the day. A play of shadows and well lit areas play an important role in how the walls, décor and furniture appear. Once those elements are decided, choosing colours becomes and easier play. Understanding your fixed elements The fixed elements of your home automatically take a place in the colour scheme that you would go for. Things like flooring (wooden, tile or marble), countertops or cabinets play a large role in decision making of the colours that would follow in the house. While most of these elements can be in neutral tones, their undertones can impact how other colours contrast or complement the space. Be sure to keep a keen eye on this factor and you’re your choice. Commitment to colour  A home must reflect the persona of those who reside in them, making it vibrant or chic or boho is what people look for. Rounding up to the question mentioned above, where does the colour go? Some homes run through and through with neutral shades or greys, while some may incorporate contrasting colours through bold paints or adding splashes of colour with trims and décor. Individuals and families together have their favourite colours, choices and personality. Choosing those colours that resonate with you and those who live in the house keeps you committed to those for a longer duration. They also infuse a positive energy to the space. A palette for your home is a personal choice based on your personality and style. Bold, neutral or a mix of both, the possibilities are endless and combinations are innumerable. Choose a flow for your home, shades that please your eyes and make your home a beautiful space and reflection of yourself.