Expanding on the "feeling" concept presented in the last chapter, let’s explore some more ideas about the different spaces in your home.
Out of all the rooms in your dwelling, your bedroom is where you spend the most time. It’s where you wind down for the evening, it’s where you sleep, and it’s where you wake up in the morning. Sometimes, it can even double as an office! This is why it’s crucial to paint the walls with a color which reflects the feeling or mood you wish to experience day after day.
When evaluating bedroom spaces, all possible factors need to be taken into account. Below is a short list of questions to ask yourself about your bedroom before you identify the mood or feeling you wish to create. These questions will also help to determine how often you will be seeing the color on your walls.
Do you spend time in your bedroom after you wake up? (Reading a book, checking emails, getting ready, etc.)
Do you open the curtains and let in morning light?
Which wall does the morning light reflect off of?
Do you use your bedroom to wind down at night?
Do you leave the curtains open or closed at night?
How does the light from a full moon play along your walls?
Do you have a spouse? Making sure they are happy with the color(s) may be important.
Do you use your bedroom as an office during the day?
Once you have your answers, try to think of three to five words which will describe the feeling you would most enjoy: Such as Rest, Relaxation, Comfort, etc. Then, return to The Ambiance Method in Chapter 1 to see your results!
This is an area where homeowners can be more daring than they think! Most people shy away from bold colors in the living room because it is so “visible." However, the living room is much more forgiving than one may realize. If you are a homeowner who detests the sight of beige or tan...Congratulations! It’s time for you to venture into the wild!
Unlike bedrooms or home offices, living rooms are larger in surface area. This means that there is a greater chance for natural light to flood the walls. Additionally, with more space, it’s wise to choose a “heavier” or darker color to help fill any voids in the room. If a living room is painted entirely beige or white, it has the potential to feel vacant, empty, and cold.
As in the previous exercise, try to think of three to five words which would describe how you want your living room to feel. Return to The Ambiance Method in Chapter 1 to see if the Elegant & Sophisticated section resonates with your ideas. You can even have intersecting ideas and choose multiple categories. It’s your space to create and appreciate!
When most people envision home offices, they have ideas of Energy, Focus, and Productivity. However, before you start painting your home office a bright Spanish Red, let’s take time to consider a few things. Work and the responsibilities of life are already stressful enough, so sitting in a small room painted red, yellow, or bright orange may not ease the tension. As a suggestion, review the Calm & Relaxing and Warm & Welcoming sections of The Ambiance Method to find more subdued options for your workspace.
When painting a Kitchen, there are usually two routes you can take. For some homeowners, they want their kitchen to feel clean, neat, and tidy. If this sounds like you, refer to the Modern & Clean section in The Ambiance Method. In contrast, others may want their kitchen to feel warm and full. In this case, it would be best to consult the Warm & Welcoming section. It’s important to note that the walls in a kitchen are already competing for space. Appliances, cabinets, and counter tops are all vying for attention. These are known as “fixed” elements, and they can heavily influence your decision concerning color schemes. But don’t worry! We investigate this further in the another article!
Dining Rooms, like Living Rooms, can also be bold! These rooms are typically designed to allow more light to flood the walls, and there are larger spaces to accommodate tables, chairs, and guests. Most families consider dining rooms to be gathering places, so warmth and conversation are the typical order of the day. Like the living room example above, return to The Ambiance Method in Chapter 1 to see if the Elegant & Sophisticated section resonates with your ideas. Conversely, it is also possible to pair an understated color with bold decor (i.e. Warm Whites or Earth Tones with ornate picture frames or colorful furniture).