Got the “builder beige” blah’s? Want to spice things up? The least expensive and most effective way you can change the look, décor and mood of your home is to paint. After all, color is the most important element in decorating.

But wait! Before you lay out your tarp and grab that paint brush, let’s talk about what it takes to plan a color scheme for your home.

First, start by creating a scrapbook, file folder or sample board of color swatches, wallpapers and magazine clippings that you find attractive.  One of my favorite places to find color scheme inspirations is at the fabric store. The people who create those fabric patterns are highly paid color experts who are very good at what they do. Why not learn from the best?  Gather swatches of fabrics that appeal to you.  Pay attention to color schemes you see in real life that appeal to you.  One great resource for color ideas is Mother Nature – look for great color ideas at the produce section at Central Market, the Wildflower Center or your local garden.  Also pay attention to the décor at favorite restaurants, hotels or model homes. These places have usually paid professionals to help create the color scheme; take advantage!

After you’ve created your scrapbook or file folder, you will quickly find that you already have your own personal style and color preferences. Now it’s time for the fun part… picking your color scheme.

Three basic color schemes are:

Monochromatic: These colors are usually different tints, shades and values of the same hue.  They are typically harmonious, quiet and restful.

Related/Analogous: This involves the use of three colors, side-by-side on the color wheel. Like monochromatic, this scheme is soft and harmonious to the eye.

Complementary: Hre, you choose colors that are opposite of each other on the color wheel. This scheme is dynamic, interesting and stimulating to the eye.

After you’ve become comfortable with your color preferences, visit a paint or home improvement store to gather paint chips. Pin them up and view them at different times of the day and in different lighting. Decide where you are going to use the colors in the room. Remember, you can also bring color into your home via flooring and window coverings and your furniture and accessories.

Once you’ve spent time looking at your potential color choices, it’s time to pick your color(s). Paint a small area (but not too small; approximately 2’ x 2’) for a color test and allow it to dry. Remember that paint usually dries one to two shades darker than it appears when wet.  The wall color is usually the dominant color in the room. If you’re choosing paint for a wall, take care to anticipate how it will appear once it is on the wall. Imagine that small swatch you’ve painted expanded throughout the entire room. This can be tricky. What looks really nice on a small swatch, can be too much when up on a wall! For instance, if not selected carefully, terracotta can end up looking like UT orange when an entire room is painted in the color. (A horrifying image to me as a decorator, as well as an Aggie!)

A few other decorating tips to keep in mind when choosing a color scheme are:

• When working with color from one room to the next, be consistent and create continuity. This doesn’t mean all of your colors have to be the same; there just needs to be some relationship;

• The more contrasting color in a space, the smaller that space  will feel;

• To add warmth and intimacy to a room, try using warm and dark colors;

• To make a room feel brighter, use cool and lighter colors;

• Cool colors (blues, greens) recede;

• Warm colors (yellows, oranges) advance.

Good luck and happy decorating!