Monochromatic color schemes are easy to work with in any room of the home. This simple palette uses different tones, values, and saturations of a single hue. Not only do they eliminate the stress of having to pick out a complicated palette, but done correctly, they always look great. Depending on the color choice, the room can take on one of many atmospheres from soothing, to energetic. Check out how to use a monochromatic color scheme in your home.
Color Choice
Different colors affect our moods in different ways. Choosing the base color in a monochromatic colored room is an important decision as it will affect the overall atmosphere of the room. Before you jump into a color, consider the connotation it brings and the way it makes you feel. Don’t just pick sunshine yellow for your room because it’s your favorite color. Keep in mind that warm colors like variations of red, orange, and yellow generally convey a message of strength and togetherness. Cool colors like blues, greens, and purples offer a feeling of trust and calm.
Create Variation
Because you’re using a singly color, it can be difficult to call attention to any specific area of the room. First locate the rooms natural focal point, usually this is a built-in piece like a fireplace, bookshelf, or window. When using an all-over color, make sure to highlight these features by using a significantly lighter, bolder, or darker shade on the focus wall than you do on the rest of the walls. The easiest way to pick a coordinating paint color is to check out the color swatch you used when you selected your primary color. This swatch will have tints, shades, and other values of the same color.
Texture is Key
To keep your room from seeming one dimensional, it’s important to incorporate different textures into the room because you’re really only using one color. Texture gives the room more depth and keeps things looking interesting. A great way to add texture is by using wallpaper. Instead of painting your focal wall, you could use wallpaper to draw attention. You can also use it to line shelves, which creates detail as well as a little texture. Rugs, draperies or curtains, table linens, throws, even slip covers can bring a lot of texture and variation into the room. Different finishes on furniture, metallic, high gloss or mat looks create a dynamic atmosphere even through the colors remain mostly static.
Note on Neutrals
Although you may have decided that your base color will be a bold shade of blue or green or red, neutrals, like black or white will go with any room and won’t disrupt your monochromatic scheme. If you feel too overwhelmed by your color, don’t be afraid to break it up with black or white details. Chances are, you won’t be able to find everything you want in your room in your color choice, black and white are readily available and always work in any room.
This article was written by Erie Construction. Follow Erie Construction on Twitter for more tips on home improvement and home remodeling.
