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Contractors know that working with a client who has not chosen colors can be a difficult process.

For my part I always recommend a client works with a professional who can take the time to reveal their ideal interior color pallet.

So back to the Basics of Color Selection

Provided by Juli at Paint Color Help Take a look at Juli’s other article on Personality and Color Selection.

When color shopping, take as many items with you from the room as you easily can: a flooring or countertop sample, a bit of fabric, a swatch of the paint color from the adjoining room, or an accent pillow. If you can’t take items, try to at least take a color picture you can refer to. This will help keep you on track.

But what if you’re starting with an almost empty room – not many furnishings to coordinate with, or colors that are so neutral (black, white, cream, gray), virtually anything could blend with them? In that case, you’ll need some color inspiration.

New Home Colors are often all off white, tan, and beige.

In general, I don’t advise painting a room, then looking for items to match. Granted, it can be done and work out quite well. But just keep in mind, you have much more flexibility with a paint color than with any other decorative element in the room.

I usually urge clients to find at least one or two small items to guide their new color palette. Even if it’s just an accent pillow, at least you have some idea of a direction. Rugs especially are difficult to match in reverse (painting a whole room and getting furniture, then trying to locate a rug that works with the scheme). So it’s not a bad idea to rug shop earlier in the process versus later.

One of my favorite places to get color ideas is somewhat unorthodox: the fabric store. At a fabric store, you can see large sections of every shade in the rainbow. You’ll notice that certain colors catch your eye or evoke a response, and this can be helpful in creating a color scheme. Even if you don’t choose to put that color on your wall, you might decide to bring it into the room through accessories.
Another easy way to see color is at home décor stores like Pier One, Z Gallerie, Crate & Barrel, or IKEA. Such stores usually have small vignettes set up with feature walls painted to match. Even if the displayed décor is not your style, you can still pick up valuable cues as to how various colored items play off one another.

Interior Design Stores like Ethan Allen and IKEA have great layouts.

Inspiration can also come from a favorite piece of jewelry or clothing, something you already love. Maybe even from the plants in your garden. Look around you.

Finally, there are a number of inexpensive magazines devoted to painting and decorating from which you can glean ideas. Home improvement stores often carry them, as well as your local bookstore or grocery store. And don’t overlook the usefulness of advertising circulars or catalogs that feature home furnishings: these photographs are staged by professionals who specialize in making a room look good. Study those that catch your eye, and tear out any pages you like for future reference.
Whatever color you’re considering, it’s vital to try it out first before you paint the whole room (or a whole house!). Most paint companies now offer small tester-size containers at a reduced price. You’ll find this to be a good investment. Paint a large patch (at least 2′ or 3′ feet square) or paint a large poster board if you don’t want to disturb the walls.

If you’ve followed all the conventional steps and are still having trouble, or just feel overwhelmed by all the choices out there, consider hiring a color consultant. Someone who specializes in color can often help you find the shade you want much faster, as well as keep you from making expensive mistakes.