So you’re renovating your house and it’s time to make a decision on paint colors. It may be tempting to dismiss certain color combinations, but they could end up being the perfect fit for your home. According to HGTV, the most hated home colors include orange, brown and green. However, HGTV points out the real issue isn’t so much these controversial colors, but how to incorporate them. In reality, all of these colors can add a dramatic impact to any room in the house and turn it into the place you want to spend the most time.
But less talked about is how the perfect color combinations — including oranges, greens and browns — can enhance your home renovation project. Here are a few tips on how to pick the best color combinations for your home renovation project that can improve your mood, make your space feel bigger or anchor your favorite color scheme.
Choose your experience
Color combinations can impact our mood and the kind of experience we want to have in our home, that’s why not all of your favorite color combos will work in any given room. For example, a kitchen with peaceful pastels may make you feel mellow and demure while a bright and sunny kitchen with yellow and orange hues may inspire you to cook or entertain on a regular basis.
From the paints on the wall to the countertop and appliances you choose, you need to factor your color scheme into your budget. Your kitchen renovation cost can fluctuate depending on the amount of work you have planned. For example, if you want to move a window to accommodate your kitchen design, you’re looking at an average cost of $1,500 to $4,500 per window moved. The costs can add up, but they can also add to the aethetic you’re looking for and enhance your color combinations by saturating it in natural light.
Consider the size of your space
Figuring out how to maximize the space you already have with color could reduce your renovation costs. For example, if you have a small and challenging room, use colors that will maximize the look and feel without actually adding any square footage.
Steer clear of basic white in a small room. Instead, turn that awkward area of your living room into a luxurious sitting area by combining coffee, dark chocolate and a hint of gray for an intimate look. Draw the focus to a fireplace, antique bar or reading area. Although adding a skylight or window can bring more light into the area, this intriguing little spot may look perfect with the right color combination and a fresh coat of paint.
Go bold in small doses
It’s entirely possible to go big and go bold without overwhelming your home renovation. Start by looking at two bold colors that align next to each other on the color wheel to create an analogous color scheme. For example, red next to orange or dark green next to lime green create this unique look.
But you don’t need to paint your bathroom remodel with multiple bold colors and oversaturate the room. Instead, focus on accents like a dark green rug, towels and shower curtain, and paint the trim of your woodwork in lime green to create an analogous look.
Focus on the 5th wall
Your floor color can make a big impact on the color you choose for the rooms in your house. Consumer Reports points out that flooring is like the fifth wall of the room, and it’s often wise to figure that part out first. Dark hardwood floors may make your room too dark for that cocoa paint and dark appliances. Meanwhile, bamboo flooring with a yellow undertone may overwhelm a kitchen with sunny, yellow walls.
Remember your home renovation can also include painted floors. Opting for white, shabby chic hardwood floors for your indoor sunroom renovation can brighten up the room while reducing your costs by covering up blemishes and tattered-looking boards.
When it comes to color, the question is how to make it work for your home and not how to work around it. With the right color combination in place, your home will look and feel the way you want. But more importantly, you can also enhance your renovation and potentially lower the costs by focusing on the things that matter most, whether the illusion of more space or lots of sunny light. The best part is color can change and be replaced with fresh touches and paint to reinvent your home all over again.