Choosing Paint Colours

The colours within your home play an integral role in its look and feel. A serene palette of cream and caramel will create a calm and subdued country retreat feel, while a fluorescent white with injections of burnt orange will create a zany retro feel.

Kirsten Fowle from Windemere Interiors recommends using a neutral colour scheme throughout the home to create a sense of consistency and flow and inject colour and personality through furnishings and artwork. “Using a neutral colour such as cream, white or taupe will tie the home together and give you a great canvas to work with,” said Kirsten, “the neutral colour will also lighten the room and give a sense of space, and won’t compete with your furnishings and artwork for impact. Add your personality with brightly coloured cushions, stylish furniture and your favourite canvases and photos.”

Kirsten also advises against painting every room with a different colour scheme, which was a popular trend in the 90s, as this interrupts the sense of flow throughout the home. Instead, she recommends features walls if you still want to have multiple colours. “If you would like to have a feature wall, ensure that the colour is at least 3 or 4 shades darker than the rest of the walls to make sure it stands out, and it’s best that all the feature colours from the walls throughout the home are from the same colour family,” said Kirsten.

There are various types of paint on the market these days to create texture and interest. Metallic and pearl lustre paints create sheen and highlights on a wall, while a suede effect creates a soft textured look. Stone and river rock paints will add dimension and depth to a wall. These are all fabulous as feature walls.

If you find the task of choosing paint colours difficult, or just need some guidance or a second opinion, an interior designer can help you through the process. They can look at your plans or come out to your home and guide you through the process. Speak to the team at Windemere Interior about your options.