Have you ever found yourself toting an envelope of paint chips from one store to the next, hoping to find furniture, bedding, towels, rugs, or drapery fabrics that match the paint color in your home? There are easier ways to decorate.  Here are some suggestions from Eye on Design that may be helpful to those of you who like decorating on your own.

First, determine if the room will be primarily comprised of cool tones (lavenders, grays, blues, silvers) or warm tones (golds, reds, oranges, yellows).  Remember that your floor is a big part of the color pallet.  A golden oak wood floor will lend itself to the warm tones whereas a gray ceramic tile floor will more easily support cool colors.

Patterned textiles, although readily available, are the most difficult to match into a room that is already painted and accessorized so it is best to focus on them early in the project.  When designing a space, decide which pieces in the room will provide the interest with beautiful patterned textiles.  Let your heart guide you to appropriately sized and styled pieces comprised of the colors and patterns that create the feeling you are after.  Make sure that your fabrics and patterns coordinate with each other and keep yourself limited to the same 2 or 3 colors within each patterned piece.

Although paint is one of the least expensive components of design it can often be one of the most important design elements of your room.  Thanks to computers, a color that does not already exist in the rainbow of offerings can be generated from your pattern collection to pull them together or provide them with a backdrop that will make them sing.   If you have an idea about the color you would like to paint your walls early in the project, look for shades of that color in each patterned textile you select but realize that the best paint colors are sometimes those that you would never have considered.

Take the time to identify your color palette with coordinating textiles before you begin purchasing paint or accessories.   Use these last items to pull your design together and highlight the color that has inspired you most.  Take your time adding each new layer of pattern and color to the space making sure each addition contributes to the overall design and it will “pay off” in the end, with a beautiful and thoughtful space.

If you get overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to “Call in the troops” and invest in a color consultation with a decorator/designer who is willing to assist you as needed.  Sometimes two hours with a professional will help you to identify the small adjustments needed to pull the space together and complete your vision like a pro.