Use color to fool the eye

Few people are offered the perfect room to decorate or to live in. Unless you are part of the planning and building of a home, you'll probably be faced with a room that's too large or too small, cramped or cavernous, cold or dark.

Debbie Zimmer, paint color and decorating expert for the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute says "Paint color, sheen, pattern and texture can be combined to create a number of interesting and individual looks for the home.” She continues, “Color is often the first consideration when redecorating but to successfully create today’s contemporary looks it’s helpful to have some understanding of basic design principles and the role of paint within a space.”

By using color, in fabrics, wall coverings, and paints, you can work miracles to help make a room more comfortable. Follow some of these tips to create the look you want.

• Debbie says that "Monochromatic color schemes are generally easy to create and impart a sophisticated feel within a space. A monochromatic palette consists of different tints or shades of the same color."

  If you're trying to create the look of uniformity or to unify two or more spaces, it's a good idea to use the same base color for all the walls. The rooms will flow and blend rather than stand alone.

• Debbie continues, "Contrast can be a powerful element. Often, when two contrasting colors are used, one appears warm and the other cool. Contrasting colors do not have to be bold; they can be soft and subtle. Take your cue from the room--bold in the living or family room and a softer contrast in the bedroom."

  If you have a space that just feels too big, break up the color. Paint one wall a wild orange or strong brown. You could even use a near-black as a dramatic backdrop for furniture and art. These bold, strong colors will draw the eye and fool it to think the space is smaller. If you prefer subtle color changes, choose different hues of the same color in a soft tone and paint adjoining walls in the different hues. The look will be harmonious and not jolting to the eye, but the space will definitely appear to be broken up.

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