Q: I love deep, dark purple. But I can't decide what other colors to use in my bedroom. What's your advice?A: To help you in choosing the color palette for a room, use a color wheel. The wheel can show you how colors work together: Colors that are side by side are harmonious and blend well together. Colors that are opposite each other, however, are complimentary; they also work well together but create a different effect. You can also draw inspiration from Mother Nature: look outside and see what colors look best together.
Q: I don't want all the rooms in my house to be the same color, but I want them to coordinate. How can I do this?
A: There are several ways to make your rooms, especially those that open to each other, complement each other. Here are a couple of suggestions:
- Use a color wheel to determine what colors work well together.
- Switch colors: use the ceiling color from one room as the wall color in the next, keeping the trim color the same to provide continuity.
- Look at a paint deck. Most paint manufacturers have six or seven paint strips of the same color. The ones in the middle will be the most muted. Choose from there and then choose a color from the center of the strip.
Q: My grandmother gave me a couch to use in my first apartment. I don't like the color of the fabric. What can I do to cover it up?
A: There are great slipcovers you can buy; the new ones fit tightly, especially if you invest in a tucking tool for a really tight fit.
Or here's another idea: Buy a large canvas drop cloth (they're only about $25 at home-improvement stores). Wash it to soften it (you'll probably need to visit the laundromat to find a washer and dryer that are big enough for it). Drape the drop cloth over the couch and attach underneath with staples or even duct tape. It's an unfitted look but will give you a more neutral couch to work with
Money-Saver Tip: There's always an "in" color, and it changes every year. If you like to be trendy, use that color in accent pillows or in paint, but don't buy a couch or chair in the new hot color.
You could also slipcover a couch or chair in the color of the year. Slipcovers are fairly inexpensive -- and you can even make your own by carefully tucking a flat sheet around your furniture.
