Nothing refreshes a room better than a touch of color. The contemporary great room is no exception. Let's look at some of the ways you can give your great room a whole new feel.
Think bold.
Conventional wisdom has for years said that dark colors make a room look smaller and light colors make it look larger. That wisdom is probably 80% correct, but there are exceptions. For example, you can place a bold, vibrant color on the walls. Hang artwork that is lighter in contrast. Keep curtains or blinds lighter and then finish the look with furniture in lighter coordinating colors. Slipcovers are a great way to change the color scheme almost instantly.
Think texture.
Color is twice as effective if you add texture to the look. You can accomplish this via numerous methods. Let’s look at some methods that depend on paint additives.
Texture additives usually come in fine, medium and coarse textures. If you have any irregularities in your walls, this is a great way to hide minor imperfections. Apply with a textured roller and you can vary the look even more. Expect to need extra paint because the paint won’t spread as thinly. About one third more paint than the calculators suggest is a safe margin.
It is very difficult to get the exact same texture later. For the best effect, add the texturizing material so you have enough paint to coat all the walls during the first coat. You might want to include the ceiling as well, so calculate that requirement as well. Some additives add sparkle to your paint. Adding a little shimmer to your walls adds interest and reflects light. Anytime light bounces off the walls, it helps expand a room’s dimensions.
Now, let’s look at some ways you can use color to create texture. The texture can be as subtle as white on white—where you use two slightly different shades of white to create a pattern. Of the texture can be bold and dramatic with several colors involved. Rag rolling and sponging create subtle textures when the colors don’t contrast very much. But you can achieve a dramatic effect if you use coordinating bold colors. You don’t have to limit yourself to two colors either.
Try combining three and four colors. The secret to pulling the look off is patience and a good balance of colors. If you apply a few blobs of paint here and there, the look ends up looking splotchy. Compare the examples. Stippling is another paint application technique that allows you to create very subtle, but rich effects. You can soften a bold base color by stippling on a muted coordinating color. Color washing and dragging are additional techniques that allows you combine color and texture for a refreshing change in your great room.
Avoid this one color mistake
Don’t choose colors just because they are the latest trend. Always choose colors that you love and feel comfortable with. Lime green may popular, but if you can’t relax with that color don’t use it. Save the “trendy” colors for accent pieces that you can afford to part with when the “in” becomes “outdated.” You want to enjoy your refreshed room until the next redecorating urge hits!
Online contributing editor for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, Jessica Ackerman has over 20 years of design experience, from wall mount wine racks to wall decor store.
Like it? Share it with others!
Or Place a link to this page using the following HTML code: