Color Selection

At Gragg's we realize home decorating is one of the most rewarding of all activities around the house. Your home reflects who you are, and provides the pleasure and comfort of fresh and attractive surroundings.

With the help of the Benjamin Moore Decorating Planner, we will assist you in getting your project started by selecting the colors that best complement your home.

Inspiration

Gather the fabrics, photographs, magazine clippings, color swatches and millwork samples that will help you coordinate your decorating ideas and will help you make your color decisions. Anything that catches your eye and your own style can be used as inspiration. Inspiration is simply your attraction and reaction to simple objects, colors, textures, shapes and moods. Observe colors together and see if a pattern for a color palette develops. Select the colors you prefer and use these in different variations to decorate your home.

Color of Illusion

Color has the ability to create dimension-it can give the illusion of a larger, wider room or one that appears smaller and cozier. Whatever your room size, here are a few hints on how to use color to enhance a room's appearance. You'll see how dramatically less expensive it is to color your walls than to buy an expensive sofa, so don't be afraid to use paint as a decorating tool.

Small Room

Minimize contrast within the space to increase the apparent size of the room. The more similar the colors are in value, the larger the room will feel.

Large Room

Create a focal point in the room through color and fixture placement. Create contrast in areas to attract attention away from the overall size of the room.

High Ceiling

Bring the ceiling color 6 inches down on to the walls and add a painted border to detract from the ceiling height.

Square Room

To give a square room a little dimension, paint one wall in a warm, bright color. This will give the room a visual focal point.

Long Narrow Room

Painting two tones of the same color, with the darker color on the farthest wall, helps to bring the room in a little.

Creating a Mood with Color

When you walk into a room do you want to feel cheery and lively, or calm and serene? Maybe you want to feel a sense of sophistication or elegance. With colour, you can create a unique mood in any room. Here are some color combinations that help you create a mood.

These helpful tips come from the Benjamin Moore Decorating Planner. Stop by Gragg's and pick up your own copy to discover many more decorating secrets from the professionals at Benjamin Moore and Graggs Paint.