By Diana Hathaway Timmons
Color Expert
Color trend reports and forecasts are so inspiring. Every year the
national paint brands reveal their choices for a color of the year, and a
palette, to showcase the colors they project for the new year. As a
home decorator you can get inspiration and ideas from the forecasts, as
they are filled with readily available paint colors. You can create the
room of your dreams with these easy do's and don'ts.
Do
consider every color in the palette. You may not think you're a fan of
blue, but when you see it paired with other colors you might find the
perfect one.
Don't feel compelled to replace your
existing color palette if you're happy with it. Remember that the color
trend reports are made up of existing colors, you may find that your
colors are featured this year in the forecast.
Do look for color inspiration, not imitation. Unless you're madly in love with the palettes they present, use them as guides to find the perfect colors.
Do notice how they pair colors in the trend report.
Are you seeing pale neutrals with accents of
green? You can use that idea to create your own palette with colors that
work best for your rooms.
Don't worry that the
forecasts meant hat your colors are out of date. They're just meant for
inspiration, and a way to spark new decorating ideas.
Do
take time to read the stories that go with the color forecasts. The
designers and color experts that create these forecasts most often
create them around a narrative. The accompanying stories can give you
the ideas and inspiration that helped them create the palettes. Even if
you don't care for the colors they chose, you can be inspired by the
ideas to create your own palettes.
Do look at the
fashion color trend reports, too. The experts that create the fashion
reports are also color experts, and they can offer new ways of seeing
color that you may not find in a paint color forecast.
Don't
forget to sample any color that you're considering. The gorgeous photos
in the color trend reports are professional, and use extensive lighting
and styling. Your home may have different lighting needs. It's always
wise to sample paint color. Here's why you should always sample color.
Do
consider a fun color or two from the forecast to use as an accent
color. Painted furniture is really hot right now, and a color that you'd
never use for a wall might be the perfect color for a chair or accent
table.
Don't get overwhelmed when you go to the
paint store with your new inspiration. Keep your choices to a minimum,
trying out your favorite colors from the trend report first. Then you
can fine-tune as you see how they'll work in your home home. See what you should never do at the paint store here.
Do
look at color forecasts from previous years. You may find that you
loved color palettes from a few years ago. That's totally okay. The way
that the colors were put together doesn't expire, it's just a snapshot
of what they created that year.
Do pay attention
to the undertones of the new color palettes. Undertone popularity
changes with time. Taupe with a pink undertone was big several years
back, then warm beiges became popular. The most popular neutrals now may
be off white and greige (that's gray + beige.)
source: about.com
