So, you’ve decided to give your house a makeover with fresh paint. You’ve studied shade cards and asked for quotes from various vendors. Now the “I-like”, “she-likes”, “he-likes” start about which color looks best on which wall. While the ‘like’ part is acceptable, sometimes, the colors may just not suit the space that’s being designed. When it comes to choosing the best colors for your walls, here are the two most basic rules.

• Dark colors on walls make a room appear smaller while light colors give a sense of space

• Dark colors make a room with poor natural light, look like a cave while light colors lend a bright, airy feel to the room

How to choose a wall color that compliments furniture?
The best practice is to match wall color with that of furniture in a room. Neutral colors like ivory, beige, raw silk, and in-between shades are the safest to avoid a clash of colors. Alternatively, one can also go dark and dramatic, using shades of grey or hues of blue and green in the living area. A good contrast between light furniture and dark walls or vice versa works best if a room is bigger in size. Smaller rooms look the best with furniture and walls in similar hues.

How to choose wall colors with respect to room type?

Many a times, the climate of a place decides the color of interiors. In places with bright, sunny weather throughout the year, cool colors on walls like light blue or green look magical. For colder places, colors that are inclined towards earthy shades of orange-brown work well.

Any bright and cheerful color is suitable for children’s room. Sunflower yellow or even bright pink gives a vibrant look to the walls and can surely be used to lend a cheerful look to any space. When deciding on colors for bedrooms, tones of orange and pink give an inviting and cozy appearance. Warm bedroom wall colors can be accentuated with soft lighting to create a peaceful ambiance.

Wall colors for kitchen and utility areas
Normally, color of the kitchen walls is matched with the color of kitchen tiles. Keeping the shade light is a good idea since almost no one would want to cook in a dark and depressing space. However, dark colors can be used to create a striking look by teaming them up with lighter hues. Any kitchen with a mix of white and maroon or a mix of mustard and cream on walls, will look attractive despite the use of darker shades.

Wall colors for bathrooms
While it’s become fashionable to use unconventional colors for bathroom tiles, it is prudent to keep your bathroom wall in lighter shades. Firstly, water seepage cannot be detected easily on walls that are dark in color. Secondly, insects generally get drawn to dark corners and no one wants to encounter creepy-crawlies in the bathroom. Thirdly, bathroom spaces, specially in cities are small in size and therefore, using a darker shade on walls may make them seem even smaller. Even then, if you are a lover of dark shades, its a good idea to use it in combination with lighter shades. For example, using a lighter shade on walls and getting the bathroom cabinet or basin done in a darker shade may look pretty good.

Dual wall colors in rooms
Does a room with contrasting wall colors appeal to you? Several homes look attractive with a dark shade on one wall and a lighter (sometimes completely contrasting) color on the remaining walls. Again, in a small room, it is advisable to have a darker shade for walls with windows or a doorway. This reduces the darker area and provides a great contrast to the light that comes in from the opening.

For larger rooms, keep the narrow walls a darker shade, unless there is a particular wall-hanging to contrast the dark color on a long wall.

Be it your childhood coloring book or the walls of your home, coloring is always fun. Do not let the stress of finding that perfect wall color bring your spirits down. Refer the tips above and go about creating your own magical space by adding your own personal touch or just connect with top interior designers in your city to create your dream home. Remember, when it comes to your preferred interiors, there’s no right or wrong!