1. DECIDE ON THE MOOD YOU WANT TO CREATE
When choosing colors for a room, you should always consider the way color will make you feel. Color psychology can be a powerful tool in creating an atmosphere, so this should always be carefully considered when selecting colors.
2. STICK TO USING THREE COLORS
'I usually have at least three colors or tones in a project: light, medium, and dark,' says Tyson Ness, Founder of NYC-based Studio Ness. 'This helps to create depth to a palette and can be done with any scheme. I balance these colors in the room by thinking of a triangle and making sure that each point has each of the tones represented, with the center point being the main feature of the room.'
3. USE THE 60-30-10 RULE
The 60-30-10 rule is a traditional color rule and helps to create a cohesive look by using three different colors in different amounts. Interior designer Rudolph Diesel explains: '60% of the room is in a dominant color, usually a calming or neutral shade.'
4. USE A LAYERED APPROACH TO BALANCE WARM AND COOL TONES
'You can’t go wrong with pairing warm and cool colors to create a harmonious space,' says interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke. Interior designer Matthew Williamson agrees, saying: 'In most spaces, there should be a balance of complementary colors for contrast. I love decorating with a sense of layering, which is incredibly important. It’s not just about bringing bold, massive swathes of color in.'
5. ALWAYS CONSIDER NATURAL LIGHT
As with any rule, it's always important to consider this in the context of the specific room you're working with. The amount of natural light a room receives will heavily impact how color looks, so make sure to understand this before settling on your colors.
6. TEST BEFORE COMMITTING
Before deciding on any colors for your interior schemes, designers say you should always test before committing. Color is complex and can look different depending on many factors, so it's always worth testing out color in a small amount before fully committing to a color scheme.