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| HOME / Color Selection Challenges |
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Why is Color Selection So Challenging?
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 Download printable .pdf version |
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| Color is my daylong obsession, joy and torment - Claude Monet |
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Understanding color:
Color theory plays a big part in selecting appropriate colors. It requires understanding primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, along with complimentary, triadic, or analogous, etc. Then throw in the related value, hue, and intensity of each color and it can be confusing. Usually what results is hours spent looking at mind-numbing options at a paint store and gathering handfuls of wasted samples that end up looking like a piñata just blew up. Then once you get them home and stare at the confetti scatterings taped to your wall most people either decide beige will be safe, or the project will remain unfinished for fear of making the wrong choice. |
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Design issues:
Shall I choose a light or darker color for the wall? What finish is appropriate for each surface? Which colors emphasize or minimize features in my specific space? Will a monochromatic palette look sophisticated in my setting, or just plain boring? If I want to choose another carpet or countertop, which color would work best? Do my faucets and fixtures throw a warm or cool tone to the mix? Tying together several different colors, values, textures, lighting, and other design issues frustrate most people because of the complexity of various factors related to choosing the right selections. |
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The psychological, emotional and spiritual reactions of color:
The science behind color psychology continues to pour in. It’s proven that some colors excite and stimulate, while others calm and relax. Even varying values of the same color can produce vastly different results. Due to our own perceptions and experience with colors, everyone reacts a little differently. Being your own “color doctor” in seclusion can sometimes result in the wrong “diagnosis”, necessitating expensive changes and frustrating delays to correct. |
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So many choices:
Trying to research dozens of different paint manufactures and then comparing thousands of different shades of blue can turn you red with frustration. To take that one-inch color sample (which is usually just ink and not the true paint) and then discern how it will react in your unique environment can be extremely frustrating. Creative Source has already narrowed down and purchased some of the best color samples from various suppliers, and then actually painted them on 8 ½ by 11 sheets so you can really see how a color will begin to react in your space. This will not only save you money by not having to purchase several cans of “trial” paint, but will also benefit our environment by not having to disposing of this waste. We also use and recommend no or low VOC paints. |
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Factors specific to your own environment:
So many factors affect how a specific color will look in your own environment. The texture of the wall, the juxtaposed color of floor coverings, cool light reflecting from a window, or warm rays from an incandescent lamp all can play havoc while selecting the right color. Color is all about relationships – relationships with natural and artificial light and other existing colors in your room. Choosing a color in isolation of other surrounding factors is never a good idea. |
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