"Choosing Color"

According to "Home & Garden" magazine, the colors of inspiration for this year of 2009 are very bright and beautiful. Colors which are inspired by nature such as soft grays, greens, and browns are the neutral pallets for the more vivid colors of deep teal blues, rich purples, citrus shades, brilliant reds, and fuchsias, which portray differing international cultures. Also, those bright and cheery colors which portray optimism, change, or the hope of a new beginning are very popular.

A leading paint firm's manager of color and design said, "We just want to bring fun back into the home and that's a big part of what we were looking at when we introduced the bright colors of 2009. It's about a new optimism for 2009--there are a lot of new beginnings--political changes, cultural changes--and we want to embrace those changes and express this through our color choices."

So, with all that said, I would like to discuss some pointers to keep in mind when choosing color for your home, whether it is in a gallon of paint for an accent wall in your living room or in adding some new decorative accessories to an out-dated master bedroom. My purpose of this article is to assist you in bringing back that level of "fun" into your home.


2009 Color Forecast

First of all, bringing a splash of a new color or colors into your home can really be a lot of fun and does not have to be a daunting task. Choosing color can be intimidating in the beginning, but I have learned that it can be a journey of personal discovery.

As you begin your "color choice journey," look to your personal surroundings for inspiration. View your clothing closet as well as other items around your house which you are drawn to. Your inspiration can really come from anywhere. Walking outside and viewing nature may bring that sense of inspiration to you when trying to choosing color.

There may be particular colors which you seem to gravitate towards because of the way they make you feel. With those colors in mind, visit your local paint store or search for new decorative accessories which you seem to be drawn to. Because color forecasts are changing from year to year, you may see colors in paint, furnishings, and accessories which may be newer "grayed or yellowed" versions of colors which have appealed to you in the past.

New colors in home furnishings will usually be introduced approximately one year after those in haute couture fashion. Looking for inspiration in fashion may be fun and inspiring; however, be wise in choosing your colors for the dominant areas in your home when looking to these sources. What looks great on a fashion runway may not look so good all over your entire living room. If you absolutely love a new, trendy color, try incorporating it in accent pillows or even an accent wall which can easily be changed a couple years down the road when you tire of it.

Don't be afraid when choosing your color or colors! A splash of a new vivid color may be just what your room needs to refresh and enliven it once again, bringing back that level of "fun," change, or sense of hope in new beginnings. Have fun with your new colors!