Add colour to your interior
1. Effect of colours
First of all, it is important to know the meanings and effects of colours. Colours can be subdivided into warm, cold and neutral colours. Warm colours such as red, yellow and orange make you energetic. Cold colours such as green, blue and purple have calming effects. The neutral colours such as black, white, grey and brown are often used as background or connection colour. When creating a colour palette, you should start with the basis. The base consists out of the elements in the room which are unchanging. Those could be elements such as the floor covering or curtains.
2. Optical illusion: Make space by using colour
By using colours in different ways, you can make spaces appear larger or smaller. In smaller spaces you could go for neutral colours and pastel shades to make it appear larger. To make the space appear even more spacious, you could use furniture in the same colour than your walls. You could also paint a large (built-in) closet in the same colour then your walls. Also, a light ceiling makes the room appear larger.
In case of a large room, choose for bright colours in combination with neutral tones to keep the balance. Think especially in combinations. People only see the differences between colours, the contrast, and not necessarily the colour itself.
3. Details
If the choice for bright colours is to daring, you can also add colour as a playful effect. Think of the inside of a cupboard, a subtle panelling or frame of an object. If that still seems to daring for you, you could keep the base neutral and just add colours through accessories such as vases, pillows, paintings or rugs.
A book I personally recommend is called “Palette Perfect”. It’s written by Lauren Wagner. Palette Perfect is an information guide for colour. It is based on 15 different atmospheres and suggests many different colour combinations. The book is beautifully designed with well-arranged colour diagrams and illustrations. It can be purchased online for 20-25€, depending on the supplier.