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Color Coordination

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Color is a powerful tool that can be used to create a certain atmosphere. When choosing a color palette for a particular room, first think about the mood you want to set.

The cool colors of blue and green create a soothing, restful effect. Red, orange and yellow are warm colors that can be used to make a room sunny and bright. How to Choose a Color Scheme You don't have to be an artist to use color effectively if you understand the relationship of colors to each other. A color wheel will help you select colors that work well together. Here are some examples of harmonious color schemes.
	Mono Chromatic Scheme Select variations in lightness and saturation of a single color from the color wheel. This look is subtle, elegant and sophisticated. It is a calm scheme that forms an excellent background for accessories and collections.
	Related Scheme Choose colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Decide which color will be dominant and use the others as accents. A related scheme using cool colors is restful, since there is not much contrast. On the other hand, a related scheme can also become quite exciting when violet and red or pink and orange are combined.
	Complementary Scheme Complementary colors are those opposite each other on the color wheel: red and green, yellow and violet, blue and orange. Complementary color schemes are uncommon, can be very lively and often are accented with white.
How to Incorporate Neutrals Neutrals include grays, beiges, taupes, off-whites, stark white and black. Depending on how they are used, neutrals can balance strong colors or be incorporated as effective contrasts and dramatic elements. Use Color to Maximize Space Lighter colors are expansive, making the room appear larger. In some cases, you may consider using a combination of colors to create an illusion. For example, if the ceiling is too high, paint it a darker or brighter color to contrast with a lighter or cooler wall color. The reverse will make ceilings appear higher. WOOD STAINS AND FINISHES When it comes to the finished look for your furniture, turn to wood stains and finishes. In addition to providing you with a specific color, these finishes can protect your wood furniture so that it can stand up to a lifetime of wear and tear while still looking its best. There are several different types of options available regardless if you are purchasing your wood furniture with a finish or having to finish your furniture yourself. This latter option is growing in popularity and a great way to save cash in your budget while achieving the exact look that you want. Stains Stains are pigments that are applied directly to the grain of wood to produce a unique color. Keep in mind that each color of stain will affect different types of wood in different ways. For this reason, test a small patch of wood before committing to a stain. If you are completing the staining process yourself, your local hardware, paint, or home improvement store will probably have a display that features colors of stains on several different types of wood. In addition to the traditional colors of stains which usually mimic the hue of certain types of wood, there are now colored stains that allow you to achieve the look of paint without losing the texture of your wood. This is a fantastic option that works well in a wide variety of decorating styles. Finishes A finish is designed to go overtop of the stain and protect the wood. These finishes can protect against stains, sun damage, heat, and humidity, although other methods of care may need to be put in place as well. Oil finishes are a great way to top of the look of a wooden piece of furniture while still providing proper protection. When the finish needs rejuvenating, simply wipe it down with oil and it looks like new. Linseed oil and tung oil are two of the most popular types of oil to finish furniture, and both are widely available. These days, varnish is usually the method of choice for applying the finish to wooden furniture. Unlike oil finishes, a varnished finish is permanent and requires only one step. Furthermore, most varnishes do not need polishing, so your wooden furniture keeps that brilliant shine all year round without any additional effort. To best protect your wood, consider applying multiple layers of varnish, which will also increase the shine of your piece of furniture.