HOW TO CHOOSE PAINT COLOURS
Understanding how colours 'behave' is one of the most difficult aspects of interior design to get right. The colours you select for your walls can strongly influence the atmosphere of a space. For a confident scheme, it is important to choose a paint colour that will sit comfortably and achieve your desired finish.
Before starting any interior decoration project, consider how much natural and artificial light is in the room and the direction it is coming from. You should also give thought to the architecture, purpose and size of the room you are decorating.
Find guidance on how to choose the right paint colour that aligns with your vision, style and space.
Consider Light When Choosing Wall Paint Colours
Choosing colour has a lot to do with ambient light. Lighting is seldom constant and will cause colours to appear to change at different times of the day.
Using shades from the Architectural Colours will help you to overcome lighting changes. The consistent pigmentation in the Architectural Colours palette works in both artificial and natural lighting.
Consider where in the space the windows sit, and how much light they allow into the room. Sunlight can have a huge influence on colours, making them appear cool and flat or much warmer. A single colour can look entirely different in a well-lit, south-facing space than it will in a darker room that faces north.
Ceiling: Muga
Wall: Paper III
Lower wall: Paper V
Door architrave: Paper III
Far room: Morning Room and Paper I
Explore how the orientation of your space may impact your choice of paint colours
Consider Colours in Situ
Before committing to a colour, plan where to make a definite statement in your space. Choose where to create sufficient emphasis to catch the light and eye.
This might mean selecting related shades from one family of Architectural Colours to highlight architectural features, such as your walls, woodwork, the cornicing and ceiling. Alternatively, create a stronger focal point using one of the Original Colours and pair with complementary neutrals to achieve a well-balanced scheme.
Natural intuition plays an important role when selecting a paint colour. Pick paint colours instinctively, based on what feels comfortable in each room. For example, a bedroom that should have a restful feel might be well-suited to calming neutrals, soft greens or muted blues. A busier, open-plan area such as your kitchen-dining scheme could be a place to introduce more vibrant accent colours to reflect a fast-paced energy.
Walls: Sencha
Cornicing: Pollen II
Choose Colours in Combination
There are many ways to combine and apply colour; it’s helpful to identify the style you want to create before you begin.
Interior paint schemes generally fall into three types:
- ‘Contrasting’
- ‘Monochromatic’
- ‘Related’.
We can categorise these groups further as 'Softly Contrasting' or 'Strongly Contrasting'; and 'Monochromatic - Black and White' or 'Monochromatic - Single Colour'.
Sometimes the possibilities seem unlimited when combining colour schemes, but almost all colour combinations fit within the categories above.
Walls: Copper Beech
Trim: Canvas II
Explore how contrasting, monochromatic, and related schemes work with light and dark colours
Contrasting colour schemes
Creating a contrasting colour scheme is a simple method to achieve bold, statement interiors. When two contrasting colours are used together, each one can appear brighter and more intense. You can apply a proportional approach or introduce a contrasting colour highlight to focally punctuate a favourite object, painting or architectural detail.
Achieve a softly contrasting scheme using two complementary shades from the Original Colours. Caddie is a soft honey brown that accompanies the muted peach, Desert Rose, for an inviting pairing. Consider highlighting the dado rail in a dark shade such as the charcoal-blue paint colour, Acqua Viva, to punctuate the scheme.
Ceiling: Stone I
Upper Wall: Desert Rose
Panelling/Architrave: Caddie
Dado Rail: Acqua Viva
You could also introduce a contrasting shade on a statement piece to create an intriguing focal point. The deep blue Mockingbird works very well with a contrasting highlight of the sultry pink, Kasbah, on a cast iron bath.
Wall/Trim: Mockingbird
Bath: Kasbah
Ceiling: Lead III
Monochromatic colour schemes
Based on timeless design principles, monochromatic colour schemes can create real impact. Black and white monochromatic colour schemes use the time-honoured contrast of black and white paint colours to achieve a scheme that works in both classic and contemporary interiors. On the other hand, single colour monochromatic schemes contain no contrasts to draw the eye, providing a seamless, enveloping backdrop.
When using black and white paint colours in combination, opt for complementary shades rather than pure jet black and bright, brilliant white. Minim and Kohl are warm, muted hues that combine harmoniously on walls and cabinetry for an elegant kitchen scheme.
Walls: Minim
Units and Highlight Stripe: Opus
Island: Kohl
Use one colour across walls and woodwork to create a strong, clean and contemporary look. The exciting Moroccan red, Caravan, forms an easy-to-update backdrop for furniture, fabrics and accessories.
Walls: Caravan
Ceiling: Tablecloth
Window: Lead III
Use a combination of shades from one group of Architectural Colours to bring beautiful tonal contrast to your monochromatic colour scheme. You will benefit from the slight change of tone and create a versatile backdrop which will generate a sense of calm in your space.
Walls: Powder V, Powder III
Ceiling: Powder V
Skirting: Powder I
Related colour schemes
Related colour schemes are simple to achieve and sit comfortably in almost any interior setting. They use one dominant paint colour alongside a calm companion, and a supporting neutral on the woodwork and ceiling to create a harmonious scheme with real character.
Alternatively, you could feature the dominant paint colour on cabinetry or woodwork. Accompany the rich crimson, Scarlet ‘n’ Rust, on kitchen cabinetry with the pink-toned neutral, Mink, on walls. Introduce Clean White on the ceiling as the supporting neutral.
Walls: Mink
Cabinets: Scarlet ‘n’ Rust
Ceiling: Clean White
Explore how contrasting, monochromatic, and related schemes work with light and dark colours.
Sample in Situ
Explore our full palette by requesting one of our handcrafted colour cards. Each colour chip features real paint in our chalky ‘Pure Flat Emulsion’ finish to help you choose colours with accuracy.
Determine your selected shades before ordering real paint 250ml sample pots. Sample our luxury paint colours over a broad area to observe the subtle natural and artificial lighting changes throughout the day. This method will help to confirm your colour decisions with confidence.
Once you have chosen paint colours for your walls, ceiling, and woodwork, consider the best finish for each surface.