Infloormation

Understanding color part 2:

Warm vs. cool neutrals – which choice works best for your home.

While most people think choosing a neutral is the “safe” option, in reality the wrong neutral can make a room feel disjointed. One of the most common mistakes involves not factoring in whether a neutral’s tone is cool or warm. Cool neutrals include white, ivory, gray and silver. Black, gold, tan and beige make up warm neutrals.

Neutrals also run every part of the warm-cool continuum, sometimes making it difficult to determine whether a tone is warm or cool. If you’re not sure, look for the colors underlying the neutral. Blues run under cool neutrals and oranges and yellows are part of warm neutrals. Comparing neutrals against each other can also help you determine the relative cool/warm nature of the tones.

Even in a color-filled room, neutrals help set off the colors, giving the eye places to rest, and integrating colors into an effective whole. On the other hand, if you’re considering a monochromatic room in neutral tones, take advantage of the variety of textures available to add interest to the space.

Most people prefer a neutral flooring choice. That can be a great idea; as long as you make sure that the neutral you choose coordinates well with the other neutrals and colors in the room. Bring samples of other room colors and neutrals with you when choosing flooring, or borrow a sample to bring back home before you make your final decision. The right neutral can provide the background that lets your colors pop.

Stay tuned for the last post in this series and click here if you missed part 1!