How to choose colors

How did you choose the colors for your home?

I always thought I'd want really rich, warm earth colors- like deep reds, taupe, tan, greens, etc.

For some reason- while looking for inspiration- I'm being drawn to more grays and pale blues.

Is it wrong to mix both in the house? I don't want it to look spastic.

Whoever thought it would be so hard?!

Re: How to choose colors

I am a blue lover and I thought FOR SURE we'd do at least our bedroom in a shade of blue or at least an accent wall in blue. When we went looking for colors etc., we decided to stick with more neutral colors so that we could change the decorations in the rooms whenever we liked (I like to change things around every now and then).

In the end, we did shades of beiges on all the walls, one dark chocolate brown accent (not wall, but a room division) and did the bathroom in a light blue (we already had grey tile in there so we liked the blue best).

I am VERY happy we went this route because we've already changed our living room decorations (curtains and throw pillows) once - from blue and brown colors to reds, and also changed the bedroom from browns and creams to reds, cream, and brown. If we had done the blue walls, we would not have been able to.

That was my experience, but I know some people won't have that issue or desire (to change things around).

Re: How to choose colors

it depends.

we based it on colors that we like and also how much light the rooms get.

we also used other things, like a large painting, for inspiration.

you can still use the colors you thought you'd love to use in the rooms, just maybe not at paint.

as an example, in our house upstate we have the walls painted a nice blue/grey/green color, with white trim, but have the beams in the ceiling painted chocolate brown.

we have deep mahogany wood furniture, a cream velvet sofa and upholstered 2 of the chairs a really deep red color. the drapes are a goldish-beige color with a chocolate brown trim to match the lines of the ceiling.

it's not all together yet, but what we are hoping for is a combination or airy and luxurious at the same time.

go through magainzes, pick out the rooms that grab you and then go from there. your eye, while you are standing in your room, knows what it wants...even if it's not what you THOUGHT you wanted before.

have fun!!!!!

ETA:house beautiful has some great photo galleries to look in also.