I'm an interior expert – here's four colour rules you should never ignore when decorating your home | The Sun

AN interior design expert has shared four colour rules that you should never ignore when you are decorating your home.

It can be easy to get excited and carried away about redecorating your home in time for Christmas.

But it's also important to remember certain colour rules when painting – whether it's overlooking a room's natural light, or not having matching tones.

Decorating can be time-consuming as well as expensive – so you'll want to make sure you get it right the first time to avoid having to fork out and do it all over again.

Luckily, one expert has shared a list of the four most important things to keep in mind as you go.

Jamie Hancox, managing director and paint expert at paint brand, Tikkurila, has revealed four of the most common colour mistakes people fall into.

And it will help you create a finished look that you’re guaranteed to be proud of.

1. Not considering the purpose of the room

Making sure you pick the right tones and colours that suit the kind of room you are decorating is key.

For example, so many people rush to paint their bedroom in vibrant colours, but since that's where you sleep, having a bright room can cause problems.

Jamie said: "Opting for shades that evoke the right emotion for the room you are decorating is an important first step that shouldn’t be overlooked.

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"When creating colour schemes, carefully consider the impact different colours can have on your mood, productivity and relaxation levels, and then how this might compliment what activity you intend to use the room for.

"A few examples of this are using energising or vibrant shades in a home office, a space where you may require more motivation.

"Whereas for a living room, you may use warm and cosy shades to create a relaxing retreat, or calming tones in a bedroom to help you drift off to sleep."

2. Ignoring natural light

Anyone who has windows and doors that let light into a room will know that it can look very different depending on the weather and time of day.

This is because natural light can alter the way the room looks, and experts have said this is something to keep in mind when decorating.

Experts advised: "To produce a balanced space, you need to consider the direction of natural light coming into the room.

"You will notice that the way colours appear in your home will change as the day goes on, as the sun moves or you switch to artificial light in the evening.

"Take the time to try tester pots or colour swatches on your wall in advance, as this is a good way to see how different colours look at various times throughout the day.

"Remember, your current window treatment and the way the room is facing will influence the amount of natural light let into the room.

"South-facing rooms tend to receive the most sunlight so it’s worth balancing these rooms with cooler shades, such as blues, greens and pale purples.

"However, north-facing rooms generally get a far softer natural light.

"At times, these spaces can feel a bit cold, so avoid the cooler shades and aim to inject a little warmth with paint colours like orange, red, yellow, or earthy browns.

"When it comes to east or west-facing spaces, you’ll need to consider the times of day you use the room and how the light hits it throughout the day and choose your paint colours accordingly."

3. Pairing conflicting colour temperatures

Home trends in 2023 have been bold and vibrant – with everything from Barbiecore to 70s revival and dopamine decor.

But it's important not to have too many colours that clash with each other, like having cool and warm shades in the same area.

Jamie added: "Blending both warm and cool shades in the same space is a risk which very rarely pays off in reality.

"One of the main problems you face using conflicting colour temperatures is a loss of cohesion in the room, making it feel a little disjointed.

"When planning your colour schemes, it is best to play it safe and stick with warmer or cooler tones, rather than a combination of the two.

"That said, with careful planning, it isn’t impossible to bring together both warm and cool shades to create a visually striking space when implemented correctly.

"If you are still feeling brave enough to give this a try, neutral shades can work as an effective bridge."

4. Incorporating too many dark colours

According to experts, using too many dark colours can have a negative effect on your home.

Not only can they make a room feel cramped but they also make it feel closed off.

Experts explain: "Darker shades tend to make a room feel small and cramped, which is not going to give your home an open and spacious feel that most savvy decorators are striving for.

"Although, there are times where a drop of darker paint can be exactly what a room needs.

"Note that if you are thinking of incorporating darker paints then you will want to avoid featuring them excessively.

"Instead, I recommend using them as accent shade as opposed to being the primary colour for a room.

"A clever way to incorporate darker colours without overpowering your space is by using darker paint for a feature wall – this can give a room a real sense of depth.

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"Likewise, the darker shades can also be used to visually zone and separate parts of a room.

"For example, in an open-plan kitchen, the darker tones can signal where the kitchen ends and the dining room starts."

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