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One of the biggest changes you can make to your home is by changing the color on the walls. Unfortunately, this can also be one of the most difficult decisions to make. There are hundreds of colors, textures and finishes to choose from and it is easy to get overwhelmed. By preparing yourself before you head to the paint store you can save your self a lot of frustration and a lot of trips back and forth.

The first thing to do is to walk around your home and take in some simple observations. What colors have you used throughout your home already? Sometimes you have used similar colors and tones a few times and may not even know it. By really paying attention to the accents, colors and finishes already in your home, you will be better able to narrow down your color choices. Once you have taken some notes about your home, it’s time to head to the store. Take the color cards home with you and tape them up onto the wall in the room you want to paint. This will give you an idea of how the colors will look in the room with its existing lighting. After you have narrowed down your choices to two or three colors, invest in some paint samples. These mini cans of paint only cost a few dollars but can save you a lot of disappointment. Bring home the paint samples and put blocks of color up on the wall. Taking all of these steps will ensure you will end up with a color you love.

You might be saying, “these are great tips, but what if my house is a blank slate?” Have no fear – there is advice for this too! First, consider the age of your home. If you are planning on revitalizing an older home, a great color idea is to be true to history. Hit the internet and do some searching for photos of what color schemes may have been used at the time your home was built. Also, check out the other homes in your neighborhood. You obviously don’t want to copy them exactly, but they can give you some ideas of where to start. It will also save you from picking colors that will stand out too much and clash with the whole neighborhood!

Another great place to get some color inspiration is right under your nose. Take a look at the nature that surrounds your home. Natural elements can give you a wonderful color palette to borrow from. The trees, grass and flowers that bloom around your home are great inspiration for colors inside your home. You might even find some surprising colors that wouldn’t have crossed your mind if you hadn’t seen them blooming. An additional place for inspiration is in the textiles you have purchased. Even if your home is a so-called ‘blank slate’, you are sure to have a comforter, throw pillows and maybe even curtains. While you don’t want to paint a room exactly how your pillows or curtains look, it can help you realize what color combinations you like.

Familiarize yourself with the color wheel and discover new color combinations that you may not have thought of. It can help you put together some bold colors for a look that is truly individual. No matter what you choose, go with your gut and do some preparation and you will not be disappointed.

Keith Smallwood is the president of Creative Energy Exteriors, a leading provider of Richmond home improvement services and products such as Richmond Infinity from Marvin windows and Richmond Hardieplank siding. Creative Energy Exteriors can be found online at: http://www.creativeenergyexteriors.com.

A common difficulty homeowners have in the process of decorating their home is determining what colors will work best in an individual room’s décor. As a simple visit to your local paint store will reveal, there are literally hundreds of different colors and shades from which to design your color scheme. The variety of choices can be overwhelming. It can be rather difficult to pick the colors that look good together in a room, as not everyone has an eye for color. If you’re unsure as to what color combinations to use in the décor of your home, then here are five to consider.

1. Brown, Blue, and Cream
This is a great color scheme for practically any room in your home. When using brown, blue, and cream for your décor, you just need to be sure to keep a balance of colors, particularly when applying the dark brown. So if you have a dark brown couch, it’s best to lighten it up with cream or light blue pillows. On the other hand, brown and blue pillows will add some interest to a cream-colored couch. To add even more visual interest, look for patterns that contain all three colors.

2. Shades of Brown and Cream
Use shades of brown and cream to create a peaceful retreat in your bedroom or bathroom. You can choose from anything from dark chocolate brown to an off white or light cream color, as there are a wide variety of shades across this spectrum. You can add interest to the monochromatic look of this color scheme by pairing lighter and darker shades, which will result in the room appearing livelier.

3. Blue and Orange
Blue and orange lie across from each other on the color wheel, which means they are considered complementary colors. When using this color combination, you don’t want to use bright oranges and blues but rather keep the colors muted. This is a great color combination to use for a contemporary-styled room; just add white or even brown to the mix.

4. Black and White
You can use this classic color combination for practically any room you like. What’s great about black and white is its versatility, meaning it can be modern as well as traditional depending on the pieces you choose to use. Add an accent color into the scheme, such as green or red, to create even more style in a black and white room. Given that there’s no shortage of available black-and-white décor accessories, this is one of the easier color combinations to work with.

5. Pink and Green
Another complementary color scheme you might try is pink and green, which tends to go well in bedrooms, living rooms, and sun rooms. Add a neutral color into the pink and green mix, or you may end up with too much color in the room. Also be sure to choose colors that are the same shades. Mint green and neon pink, for instance, aren’t going to work well together.

These five color combinations are a great place to start if you’re having trouble coming up with color ideas for your home. Any of these combinations should give you some inspiration when decorating your home. You can create a unique look to your home by using any of these suggestions as a base and then adding your own style to them.

About the Author…
For over 40 years Leon Tuberman has helped people with their home furnishings and interior design needs. He owns and manages a popular furniture store in California. They carry a large selection of USA made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room, bedroom and wood office furniture. Are you searching for a study area or a dining table for your dining room or a wood bookcases for your home office then they probably have everything you need.