Selecting a color scheme for your home is easy. Note rooms that appeal to you in decorating magazines. The colors that predominate in those pictures are sure to be among your favorites. Or, let a fabric or prized quilt spark a roomüs plan. Take one or more of the paler tints and use them for areas like walls and floor. Pick up a brighter tone from the pattern for large upholstery pieces and window treatments. Save the strongest hues for accents.



Try complementing your favorite color with white. A wash of white on walls and woodwork can make a perfect stage for tints and tones of your chosen hue in furnishings. Or, feature your favorite color in major areas. To keep stronger color from overpowering a room, lace it liberally with accents of white. Remember, too, that colors on tiny paint chips tend to become more intense on larger surfaces. To be safe, paint a large piece of wood or heavy white cardboard and view the color under various light conditions in the room.


Never overlook how versatile color is. Use a contrasting shade to accent moldings or a furniture piece; mask less-than-perfect architectural features by blending them with the wall color. Warm and dark colors tend to advance visually; using them will lower a high ceiling or, when painted on short walls, square up a narrow room. Cool, light hues seem to recede, so they will make a low ceiling seem higher and a small room more spacious.