Parting ways with white walls

Ever wondered why the South-Asian in us could not cope up with dreary white walls? We are jazzy folks, we need hues and colours in all aspects of our lives and there you go - walls cannot be left alone. However, picking out the choicest of colours is no easy task and to make things worse there are infinite shades of each colour—some we as laymen still cannot name! But then again, who said life was easy? Certainly making a choice about colouring the walls will not be either.

If you were looking to add a dash of colour to brighten your home and your mood, we have a choice few suggestions for you.

LIVING ROOM

Living rooms are by far the most multipurpose of all. When deciding on living room colour palettes almost everything goes, however it should be in sync with the rest of the house. For a bold look, opt for deep jewel tones such as dark purples, jade greens, and velvet blues. 

Neutral living rooms look good in sky blues, soft sage greens and ash greys, providing the subtle contemporary look that modern couples crave. A pop of colour is always nice to lighten up the mood, but too much of orange or yellow can be blinding, so the best option is to make only one wall the focus. Avoid shades of grey at all cost; even though it does add a lot of depth and character to a room, it usually swallows up the liveliness of it. 

DINING/KITCHEN

The one thing that should be kept in mind with this particular space is to not use colours that destroy the appetite; because 'that' is the last thing anybody would want in a dining or kitchen space. Therefore, keep away from blues, as it minimises the appetite according to experts. Deep plums, lime yellows, and maroons go well in the dining area; while apple reds and cinnamon browns seem awkward in the kitchen area, as these colours match with the tones of fruits and vegetables, causing eye clutter. 

BEDROOM

If you have some spare time, spend it here. One has to be very careful about what palettes to choose for this space as one wrong tone, and goodbye sleep! 

Baby blues provide a calm and cool atmosphere; greys and salmon pinks give out a dreamy feel. Take your pick, but I warn you, warm tones such as yellows and oranges can cause sleep troubles. 

BATHROOM

It all comes down to the size of the bathroom. The smaller the space, the lighter colours you should go for and vice versa. Putting in deep colours might encourage a claustrophobic feel. If the bathroom is where you like to relax, and spend most of your solitary time; paint the walls a lighter shade of lavender, and voila! You will immediately get the serene feel. 

For an extra small bathroom, a warm toned green will surely bring life to it; while for a large one, cool toned teals and greys work beautifully. 

HOME OFFICE/LIBRARY

If you have one, this means you love solitude and spending quality time thinking about the more important issues of life. Dark hues in this space would only make the philosophers in some of us feel tired and grumpy. White walls are preferred for this space but if you are strictly against plain walls, then yellow is the next best choice.  You could also try painting the entire ceiling lime yellow to add a little bit of brightness and encourage those brilliant thoughts to pop in. 

Final word of advice; before making the final decision, make sure you have discussed with family who will be living with you under the same roof. Another thing that you must take into consideration is the furniture. If you have already bought them before the paint, their spatial size and style must be incorporated to the final colours of your choice.

By Anisha Hassan