Many people have no idea to what extent the colors you they in their living room affects mood.  Color is responsible for giving a room a cool or warm tone, for making it look rich, airy or elegant.  Textures and pattern play a large role as well, but every item you place in your living room adds color, so you want to make sure you are setting the tone you desire for the room.  In this article, you will learn how to incorporate color in your living room to achieve the desired effect.

Yellow and Red

Right now, you may be thinking these colors are “loud” or too bright, but quite the opposite is true.  When you incorporate soft yellow tones with warm reds, you invoke the countryside of Southern France.  Infuse a bit of bright green or moss green then add sunflowers, mustard toned ceramic pots, and floral prints for a look that is fresh, inviting and relaxing.

White and Butter Yellow Strike a Paris Appeal

Butter yellow walls and white furnishings offer a gently worn, French-inspired appeal.  Painted furniture, white upholstery and aged pastels offer a romantic, warm atmosphere that is truly inviting.  Rugs and draperies should be adorned with small splashes of pale blue and green, while faint touches of red outline throw pillows.  Vintage fabrics really add an authentic flair to the room!

Go Sophisticated with Dusty Chocolate and Lime

Love a sophisticated, modern look?  Today, brown is not at all like the dull earth browns from decades ago rather it is a softer, muted chocolate brown that adds a richness and warmth to the room.  Splashes of lime add vibrant color and perk up the atmosphere.  Lime green ottomans and an elegantly painted canvas splashed with a touch of lime offer a lively, fun look.  Oatmeal hued walls and throws, pillows and other accents with a nubby texture complete the look of the room.

Blue, Tan and White – Oh So Relaxing

Want your living room to have a relaxed and inviting “I’m on vacation” appeal?  Incorporate pale blue, sand and white for a look that brings the ocean to mind.  A pale blue rug, the color of robin’s eggs, tops a wood floor; woven or rattan furnishings enhance the island appeal.  White accent tables have a worn look, while white sheers on the windows add to the airy feel of the room.  Include throw pillows and other accents that blend all three colors for a dash of excitement.

These are just a few examples of what you can accomplish with color.  Imagine all of the colors and shades available to you today, and what you can create!  Whether you are going for country comfort and appeal, contemporary class, a romantic French look or the utmost in regal elegance, much can be achieved by simply using color for the basis of your decorating ideas.

When it comes to decorating your living room, let your imagination inspire you!  Go online or search through magazines to find those living rooms you truly love.  You’ll be happiest in your home when your living room beckons to you to come and enjoy.

Color plays a huge role in not only in the beauty of your home, but the atmosphere as well.  Many people don’t realize just how much color affects mood, relaxation and ambience.  In this article, you will find ideas and information that will help you create color schemes that make for an inviting, comfortable home that your family and friends will love.

Basic rules for creating an appealing color scheme

Keep in mind when choosing colors for a room to use only 2 or 3 total.  One color should dominate the room, while the other two will complement or contrast with the dominating color.  This makes for rooms that are beautiful, colorful, and anything but bland.

Many people use neutral colors, simply because they are so easy to accessorize.  Also, it’s easy to refresh the look without buying all new furnishings and accents.  If you prefer a bold, elegant look, consider using black and white with a few interesting splashes of red.

Neutral colors are chic and simple

When you think neutral, consider shades of black, white, gray and brown.  You can choose any variations of these colors, such as cream, beige and gold.  Incorporating these colors into your decorating is simple, as these shades blend easily with most furnishings, especially those that are made of wood or leather.  Always make sure that darker shades and lighter ones are well balanced, so that the room doesn’t appear too “heavy” or too “light.”

Also, make certain that you vary sleek, smooth textures with nubby or rough textures to add interest and depth to the room.

Warm colors invite relaxation and make a room look rich

If you love rooms that are rich and relaxing, warm colors are the perfect choice.  Take your cue from the colors seen in the fall, when leaves are golden, orange and russet; forest greens and brown tones add to the comfortable, inviting atmosphere.

Many people who decorate their homes in country or western style décor incorporate these colors into their rooms.  A wall may be painted cream and trimmed in russet, or vice versa depending on the size of the room.  Dark walls are fine for large rooms, but tend to make a small room appear even smaller.

Accents such as throw pillows and area rugs should be rich in color; plaids and stripes of forest green, russet and gold add bold splashes of texture and color.

Color is an integral aspect of interior decorating.  Colors affect mood, and create a certain type of atmosphere.  In a home office, you may want to use colors that make you feel more energetic; in a bedroom, relaxing colors such as soft lavender or pastel blue invite sleep.  Consider the room you are decorating, and the effect you want to create when choosing colors.

To help you choose the perfect colors for your home, pay particular attention to the colors of nature; the skies, forests, mountains and fields offer up plenty of ideas.  Put these tips to use in your home, and you will have rooms that are not only appealing to the eye, but appealing to the senses as well.

Painting is one of the most affordable and effective things you can do to give your home a face lift.  You may be thinking of white or cream colored walls, which can be a little bland.  If you aren’t familiar with all of the things you can do with paint today, you need this little refresher course!  You can literally transform the look of your home, and it’s really easy.

Wall stenciling, faux painting and rubber stamping are three examples of what can be accomplished with a little paint.  In this article, we will explain a little about each method and how it works to freshen up the atmosphere in your home.

Wall stenciling

Wall stenciling is super easy and adds incredible texture to the room.  With stenciling, simply paint the entire wall a solid color that blends with the decor of the room.  Choose a stencil that complements the style of the room, and paint through the cut out areas of the stencil.  When you remove it, a sharp, crisp pattern will remain on the wall!  This is great for creating a border along the top of the wall, placing a pattern around a door or fireplace, or creating an entire wall of animals or Disney characters in a small child’s room.

Faux painting

Faux painting is a favored option for many people.  When you want to create walls that have the appearance of granite, marble, wood and other surfaces, faux painting helps you accomplish this.  From super easy to quite complex, there are a huge variety of techniques that can be used in faux painting.

Sponging, ragging and rag rolling are three easy things you can do yourself to give the walls incredible texture.  Dragging, combing, stippling and marbleizing are a bit more difficult, but can be accomplished with clear instruction.

Rubber stamping

Rubber stamping is another easy technique that gives your walls a unique look.  Easier than any other technique, rubber stamping gives you dramatic results in a very short time.  You can display your creative talents and create walls that are truly impressive, both to family and friends.

Stenciling and rubber stamping are two techniques that can also be used on furniture as well!  If you have white or pastel colored accent tables, trunks and other accessories, you can add color and interest by using these techniques.  This is great for those who love a country or cottage chic look.

Various painting techniques can bring your walls to life without going through the headaches of wallpapering or the cost of hiring someone to do it for you.  Depending on your style and color preferences, you can literally create any look you want!

If you like calm neutrals, consider using creams, taupe’s and slate blue to create your walls.  For those who like more color and warmth, golden yellow, rust and orange combine to create striking walls.  If cool, relaxing colors are your style, consider soft shades of blue and green.

Get your creative juices flowing, and create walls in your home that look incredibly beautiful and full of texture!  You may have never realized just how versatile paint can be, but now you know.  Have fun making your home a true original.

Many people don’t realize just how important of a role color plays when decorating their homes.  Sure, most people know that warm colors are golden browns, yellows and reds, and that cool colors are green, blue, violet and pink shades.  But what does this all mean in the grand scheme of things?  Color speaks volumes, even about your own personality.  This article details a little about color, and the effect it can have on the appeal and atmosphere of a room.

It is a proven fact that colors affect emotions.  Red can brighten up someone who feels down, as can bright yellow.  Blue is soothing and comforting, and green often makes people feel wealthy.  How do the colors you use affect the way your home appeals to others?  Here are a few tips to let you know just what your home says about you:

Warm Colors

Red is vibrant and stimulating.  This includes stimulating the appetite, so depending on whether you are dieting red may be a good choice for the dining room.  Beware, too much red is overwhelming.  Whether you use various shades of red in the living room or dining room, temper it with calming colors that dominate the rest of the décor.

Yellow brings to mind sunshine, and is a cheery color.  This is a great color to use in the kitchen, as it offers warmth and a feeling of coziness.  You don’t have to use bright yellow; a softer shade will make a beautiful backdrop to a room.

Orange may sound like a horrible color to use in decorating, but when a soft shade is used it is actually inviting.  A muted shade of orange creates an appealing atmosphere that offers a welcoming feeling.  Orange is a friendly color that exudes happiness.

Cool Colors

Green is a color that helps bring the outdoors in, and is perfect for any room in the house.  Whether bold and vibrant of soft and muted, green is a peaceful color.  For the bed or bath, think of celery and seafoam shades of green, mixed with cream and sand tones.

Blue is the most soothing color of all, which is why it is frequently used in the bedroom.  Mixing shades of blue and green creates an inviting and calming atmosphere that makes any guest feel welcome.  Blue is also said to decrease appetite, so it may be a good choice for the dining room if you are trying to shed a few pounds!

Violet is a cool color that is useful when used to accent your home, but probably too overwhelming to use as a dominant color.  Choose accent rugs, throw pillows and other accessories with a slight splash of violet to add depth and interest.

In decorating your home, remember that most warm colors are welcoming, while cool colors offer a feeling of comfort.  There is nothing at all wrong with mixing shades from the warm and cool spectrum as long as they coordinate well.  Unless you are a very bold person who loves the extreme, avoid using large amounts of bold red, purple or black in decorating your home.  Strong colors like these will begin to wear on your nerves over time, as they can be distracting.  Use color to decorate your home not only with magnificent hues, but with a soothing or welcoming atmosphere as well!

To some, monochromatic may sound dull or boring.  When done right, you can decorate your living room or any other room of your home using a monochromatic theme for a stunning effect!  If you think this style of decorating is bland and lifeless, this article will offer tips and ideas that help you create a room with depth and appeal.  White or beige isn’t the only color that gets used in this popular style of decorating.

You can, and should, use any color at all to create rooms that are full of personality and interest.  Save the bold reds, purples or emerald greens for rooms where you do not spend large stretches of time, as these colors can become overwhelming.

The Secret Lies in the Colors

When creating a monochromatic look, you want to use 3 different shades of the same color.  For example, if you want to use brown tones then a light beige, deep amber and chocolate brown will make for a stunning look, as will shades of peach and terracotta.  You want one color to dominate, preferably the medium tone.  As an example, paint the walls light beige, choose a sofa and love seat that contains strong amber tones, and accent baseboards with chocolate brown.  Amber should be the strongest color in the room.

Choosing Patterns and Adding Texture

The secret to adding depth and interest in a monochromatic decorating theme is in the patterns and textures you intermingle.  Bold stripes and geometric patterns are perfect in this style, as long as the strongest colors in the pattern are from the three that you have chosen.  Combine silky fabrics with nubby ones for the most appeal.  You may want to use silky curtains that offer sheen, along with nubby textured accent rugs.  Tapestries are also great for adding rich texture.

To add further appeal, consider painting a bold stripe of color around the room.  For example, on a light beige wall you may want to use an 18” wide stripe of chocolate brown about halfway up the wall around the entire room.  This visually extends the room and livens up the walls a bit.

Accessories Add a Punch of Color

While you do want to keep furniture, walls and floors restrained to the three colors you have chosen, you can add punches of vibrant color in pictures and other smaller accessories.  If you go with the beige/amber/chocolate theme, consider pictures that contain a bright splash of red or yellow.  Set a bowl filled with red apples and bananas in the center of the coffee table, or create a floral arrangement that contains these colors.  Large pillar or square shaped candles in these shades help to add even more small accents around the room.

Just remember to keep the larger details of the room to the basic three colors, and then add pop with splashes of color in the smaller details.  Choose one single color to dominate the room, and you will have spaces that are beautiful, unique and appealing to all who enter your home.

Color has so many effects when used correctly in your home.  Whether you want to create a bright, cheerful atmosphere or one that is totally relaxing, paint can be magic!  Not only can you set the mood of a room, you can visually add more space or make a large, cold looking room appear smaller and more intimate.  The things you can do with a little color are absolutely amazing.

This article will give you ideas on how to create any look you desire using paint and color.  Have white walls and beige carpet?  It may be time to give your rooms a little personality.  Spice things up a little, or transform your bedroom in to a tranquil sanctuary.  Here are a few tips that will help you get started.

Choose Paint Colors According to the Mood You Want to Set
Would you love a living room that is cheerful and exudes energy?  Bright, bold colors lift your mood and make you feel more energetic.  Think about how color affects people.  Bright yellow, orange and lime green are vibrant and full of energy.  If you want a cheery, sunny living room, paint a wall or two bright orange and accent the walls with tropical prints that burst with color.

Want to create warmth and a cozy, intimate feel?  Warm colors are inviting and make people feel welcome.  Deep reds, browns, golds and rusts bring an intimate feel to the room.  Paint your walls a golden brown or terra cotta color.  Furnishings of wood and leather are perfect for this style of décor.  Rich tapestries add texture to the walls, and throw pillows decorated in rich colors add a burst of excitement to a solid colored sofa.  The Tuscan style of décor is a perfect example of warmth and intimacy.  The colors of autumn are brought indoors to create the warm atmosphere.

Cool colors offer relaxation for the bedroom and bath.  Think of soft blues and greens.  In the bedroom, keep colors soft and muted – no loud, bold hues!  The colors of your comforter, pillows and curtains should be kept calm and serene.  Sky blue and the pale, soft green are perfect colors to create a tranquil atmosphere conducive to a good night’s sleep.  In the bath, consider sponging light blue and white in cloud patterns on the ceiling – talk about relaxing the stress away!

Visually Change the Size of a Room
Have a living room that’s too big?  While this usually isn’t a problem, really large rooms can look a little cold and stark.  If your walls are all solid white or off-white, consider using a darker shade like golden brown or rust.  Darker colors draw the room in, and give it a more intimate appearance.

Most of us have rooms that are too small.  To make tiny spaces look more spacious, paint the walls and ceilings a light color.  White ceilings open up a room and make it the ceiling appear higher.  You can use color on the walls, just make sure the shades are light.  Cream, pastel peach or fresh yellow are good colors to brighten up the room and make it look larger.  Color can accomplish many things, from setting the mood of a room to visually changing its size!

Have you lived in your home for years and feel that it’s time for an update? When you’ve had the same colors and accents for a long time, you may feel that you want a change. Perhaps you’re finding that your kitchen and living area have begun looking tired and drab. If you can’t afford a home makeover at the moment, then what are your options?

Spruce up your home using vibrant colors and add a few new accents. It’s amazing how different things will look when you’re through. The best part is, even though you’re not spending a bundle of money, your home will look as though you did.

In the Living Room
This is one area you really want to be appealing, especially since this is the room where family and friends congregate to visit and enjoy each other’s company. Have you been stuck on contemporary or modern décor for years, but now you’re ready to do something bold? Be daring, and move away from the black, beige, and tan that are the usual hallmarks of your design style.

If you want a look that’s fresh, energizing, and demands attention, work with vibrant blues, tropical greens, and peaches. Choose a light celery green for the walls, and then paint the baseboards and doors a dark forest green. Hang bright botanical prints on the walls and then add a few fruity- or tropical-scented candles. As a final touch, add a little silk greenery casually displayed in clear glass vases on a wooden coffee table, and you will have achieved a totally different look for your room.

If you have solid-colored furniture, don’t be afraid to add throw pillows in bold patterns and colors. By mixing floral designs, stripes, and plaids, you can add interest and originality. Just be sure all the colors are complementary, and you will have created an incredible look.

Add Pizzazz in the Kitchen & Dining Room
If your kitchen and dining room look a little worn out and drab, then add more color. Coordinate the color theme with what you’re doing in the living room. This is especially important if these areas run together. Citrus colors work great in the kitchen. Add some bright curtains to the windows. Sunflowers, strawberries, and other bright-hued prints can really infuse this room with energy.

For the dining room, consider laying a brightly colored runner along the center of your dining table. Then place a straw basket filled with fruit there. Choose a vibrant color for the dining room walls, and then add splashes of contrasting colors using a feather duster for an exciting look. Anything goes-just use your imagination! Any accent or idea will work, as long as it’s bright and cheery.

In end, the point of all this is to make your rooms in your home come alive. For years, you have been living with the same dull and boring colors day after day. It’s time to add some vibrancy and excitement to your home. When you combine many bright, bold colors, you add some depth to a décor that makes a room look much more interesting. You’ll find that accents and furniture stand out, instead of blending together and getting lost in a sea of white. You’ll find that every area of the room begins to take on a life of its own.

Go for the gusto! Don’t hold anything back! If you’re looking to give your home not only a brand-new look but an exciting feeling as well, bright, energetic colors may be just what you need. Go for drama and flair and forget those rooms with no personality. You will have a feeling of renewed energy and vitality each time you set foot in your home.

Most families seem to end up spending a great deal of their time in the kitchen, so you might want to make it more interesting and add some color. Even if you don’t want your kitchen to be drab and dreary, it’s not always easy to know quite how to add the right touch. Here are some easy ways to add color to your kitchen so you can change your décor from boring to fabulous.

Add Color by Dressing Up Your Table
Dress up your kitchen table as an easy way to add color to your kitchen. Some colorful dishware can really spruce things up, as well as a colorful tablecloth or placemat set. Another great way to dress up your table is to add a centerpiece such as flowers in a vase or basket, which will instantaneously add some color to the room. Try to find colors that will add some interest but also complement your kitchen’s décor.

Add Color with a Backsplash
You don’t have to have a boring kitchen backsplash. Some people keep it simple, using a neutral-colored tile or laminate, but you can always venture out a bit a choose a colorful look instead. Tiles and laminates come in all different colors. Another unique approach is to arrange broken-up colored glass in a random pattern on the wall. Not only will you create a personalized, one-of-a-kind backsplash, but you’ll be able to get a some different colors worked into the décor.

Paint an Accent Wall a Different Color
You can always add color by creating an accent wall in a kitchen that’s otherwise painted a neutral color. Choose the wall that’s the least covered with cabinets or appliances. Be sure to pick an accent color that will work well with the rest of your kitchen’s décor. For a more subtle look, go with a matching color. But if you want the wall to really stand out, pick a color that’s complementary.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
Showcase your colorful dishes and other tableware by taking the doors off your kitchen cabinets. If you have neutral dishes, add some pop by painting the insides of the cabinets a contrasting color. This doesn’t necessarily entail removing every cabinet door, but you can pick a few cabinets to be colorful, preferably those more prominent cabinets above the countertops.

Use Window Treatments to Add Interest
Another great option is to utilize the window area in your kitchen to add color. Whether you go with a valance or drapes, choose a window treatment in a color that will stand out. A black-and-white kitchen, for instance, would benefit greatly from some red or purple window treatments.

Adding color to your kitchen doesn’t mean you have to change the entire décor. Rather, build upon what you already have to add your own colorful touches here and there.

A common problem faced by homeowners when decorating a room is figuring out what colors to use for the décor. Have you ever visited a paint store? If so, then you have probably seen the hundreds of different colors and shades you have to choose from when designing a color scheme. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by so many choices. Not everyone has an eye for color, and it can be quite difficult to pick out which colors will look good together in a room. If you’re unsure as to what color combinations to use in the décor of your home, then here are five to consider.

1. Brown, Blue, and Cream
This is a great color scheme for practically any room in your home. When using brown, blue, and cream for your décor, you just need to be sure to keep a balance of colors, particularly when applying the dark brown. For instance, you might want to use cream or light blue pillows to lighten up a dark brown couch. Or if your couch is cream colored, you can add some interest with brown and blue pillows. If you can find patterns that include all three colors, you can add even more visual interest to the décor.

2. Shades of Brown and Cream
Whether you’re looking to create a peaceful retreat in your bedroom or bathroom, try using shades of brown and cream. You can choose from anything from dark chocolate brown to an off white or light cream color, as there are a wide variety of shades across this spectrum. Although this color combination closely resembles a monochromatic theme, you can easily add more interest. Simply pair a lighter shade with a darker shade, and that will make the room appear much more lively.

3. Blue and Orange
Colors like blue and orange that lie across from each other on the color wheel are considered to be complementary. When using this color combination, you don’t want to use bright oranges and blues but rather keep the colors muted. You can easily work these colors into a contemporary-styled room by including white or even brown in the mix.

4. Black and White
You can use this classic color combination for practically any room you like. What’s great about black and white is its versatility, meaning it can be modern as well as traditional depending on the pieces you choose to use. Add an accent color into the scheme, such as green or red, to create even more style in a black and white room. There’s no shortage of black-and-white décor items available these days, making this one of the easiest color schemes to work with.

5. Pink and Green
Another complementary color scheme you might try is pink and green, which tends to go well in bedrooms, living rooms, and sun rooms. You want to be sure to add a neutral color like white or cream into the mix. Otherwise, you might end up with too much color in the room. Also be sure to choose colors that are the same shades. Mint green and neon pink, for instance, aren’t going to work well together.

These five color combinations are a great place to start if you’re having trouble coming up with color ideas for your home. When decorating your home, any of these combinations should give you some inspiration. When you use any of these suggestions as a base and then add your own style to them, you can create a unique look for your home.

Murals are a fabulous way to add some interest and style to a room’s décor. Murals can be used in many different types of rooms, from the kitchen to the bedroom. This is a very popular way to add some design to a large area. Read on for some basic tips on decorating with murals in your home.

What Is a Mural?
When you paint or draw any type of design or picture directly on the wall, that is called a mural. A mural can be anything at all, from a picture of a beach scene to a pattern of dots or stripes on the wall. In terms of application, murals can be painted on, drawn on, or even stuck on the wall.

Tips for Painting or Drawing a Mural on the Wall
If you are going to attempt to paint or draw your own mural on the wall, then be sure to research your supplies first. Only use paint that is suitable for wall murals. You also need to be sure that it can go over whatever surface you may be painting on. If you’re not confident in your artistic abilities, there are other ways to create your own mural. For instance, many home décor and arts and crafts stores offer stencils and also pictures that you can blow up and trace on the wall. More often than not, a stencil is a wise decision, as not many people can freehand a large mural.

Sticking Your Mural on the Wall
If you are not able to draw or paint very well, you can always use decals or wallpaper murals instead. You pretty much just have to hang these murals on the wall, but they look just like real painted-on murals. For wallpaper murals, all you need is glue and water, as they are hung just like regular wallpaper. Decals are more like stickers and come with an adhesive already on the back of them.

Hire a Professional to Make Your Mural
A professional artist is always an option for creating a mural, especially if you’re not working within a tight budget. If you have a very large mural you want done or if you are not in the least bit artistic, this is a great option. Just be aware that this approach can quickly get expensive, particularly if the mural ends up being large and intricate. Depending on the size of the space and the level of detail, some murals may take a few days. Therefore, you want to be sure that you budget accordingly.

Where to Add Murals in Your Home
Just about any room in your home will benefit from the addition of a mural. You might consider adding a great nursery mural to welcome a new little one. Or you might want to add a mural to that large empty wall in your dining room that fits the style of the room. You might consider adding a mural to the bathroom or kitchen as well. Remember, a mural doesn’t have to be huge and it doesn’t have to be the only thing on the wall. You just want to be sure that it’s somehow highlighted in the room.

With so many options, you don’t necessarily have to be artistic to add a mural to your home. You can always go the wallpaper or decal route or even hire a professional artist instead. Murals will add some design style to your décor and are also a good way to demonstrate your personality in your home.