If you are not sure about the best paint colour for your walls, it is important to not skip the research. The colour you end up choosing will have a major effect on the look and personality of the room and the quality of your paint job. There are a lot of factors you should take into consideration before you decide to paint. To break down the process for you, our experts have put together important things you need to consider before you finalise on the colour palette for your home walls.

Get inspired:

If you have decided to paint your home but unsure about the colours, start with a reference point. Look at photos of similar rooms and spaces on Pinterest or home and decor magazines and derive inspiration. Think of colours you are drawn to and already have in your home. This will help establish a starting point.

Basic rules to follow:

• If you’re thinking of more than one colour on the walls, stick to not more than three colours. If you are going with one bold colour, the second and third should be neutral to give your eye a break.
• When deciding on the colour, start with the boldest shades and then work your way towards light and neutral colours.
• Paint can be a unifying element. Before you decide on the wall paint colours, consider how it will look with adjoining rooms. The colours should work in harmony.
• The way a room is lit has a dramatic impact on how the wall colour looks. Each light temperature pulls out a colour undertone, which is the reason why the same room can look vastly different during the day and with the night lights on. Once you have finalised the colour, test it out with a patch test in different lighting before making up your mind.
• The paint finish is another component you need to keep in mind. Satin finish is a great choice for high-traffic areas since they are easier to clean. Semi-gloss finish has a subtle shine and works well in kitchens and baths. High-gloss finish, like the name suggests, are glossy and can make a room look classier instantly. If shine is not your thing, opt for matte or flat finishes. The same colour will look different in various finishes so do your research before you decide to paint your walls.

Hardwood floors are a classic decorating choice. They are not just durable but can add warmth and timeless appeal to any room or space. This fabulous flooring option is a favourite for interior designers and homeowners alike. When decorating with wood floors, keep the following in mind:

Follow the light

In a room with dark wooden floor, bring in some light with lighter cabinet colours, white walls or neutral rugs. Allow the natural light to penetrate the room and on the flooring, the stark contrast between the dark floor and the natural light will bring out the beauty of stained wood.

Use rugs

Bold and patterned rugs can look particularly stunning on a wooden floor. Since wood is also a hard surface, minimise any discomfort by adding rugs for added comfort. You can also layer area rugs to define sitting rooms in open spaces.

Out with the old

If you are trying to improve the appearance of old wooden floors, it can feel daunting. Since wooden flooring often cost a fortune, the thought of painting it or removing it entirely can make most people nervous. You can revive old and worn out wooden floor with wood paint and finishes. With various colours and finishes to choose from, ranging from dark to light wood, you will be spoiled for choices. Instead of replacing the entire floor, painting wood floors is easy on the pocket and looks like brand new. To achieve a good result, explore wood paints and finishes by Berger Paints India.

Pop of colour to create drama

Break up the monotony by pairing bright toned furniture with flooring that has lighter stain.

Take a clue from this cheerful corner’s bright coloured furniture and accessories that blends in beautifully with the wood floor. The dramatic walls and fresh plants results in a layered room with right amount of depth and pizzazz.

A home that is disorganised and chaotic can disrupt the energy flow. However, there are simple steps that can make your home more relaxing and calming. For home interior ideas to make your home a relaxing abode you will never want to leave, read on:

Bring the outdoors inside

Nature is proven to have a calming effect on mood. If you love spending time in nature, you can bring elements from the outside world, indoors. Neutral tones, wood pieces, indoor plants and nature-inspired colours like green (like the forests), brown (like the earth), and blue (like the ocean and sky) can help build a connection to nature inside the home.

Natural lighting is everything

A good source of natural light can make a space glow and bring in a sense of serenity. Ensure the room gets plenty of natural light throughout the day. And for artificial light, opt for dimmers and soft light in the evening to create a relaxing ambient room.

Introduce a calming colour palette

Colours can influence our mood greatly. Bright colours are energising while muted colours are calming. To achieve a relaxing vibe in the room, opt for light and muted tones. If neutrals like white, grey or brown are not your thing, you can also derive inspiration from nature and use tones like sunset orange, mossy green or serene blue to achieve a similar effect. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to introduce colour in a room is by painting the walls. Opt for soft and subtle hues and ensure the colour flow throughout the room is natural and effortless.

Engage the senses

Touch, smell, sound: all of these senses can help promote a feeling of calmness and relieve stress and anxiety. The more you engage the senses, the higher impact you can create. Introduce scents like lemongrass, lavender and orange blossom. Sounds of nature or waves or smooth jazz and blues can be particularly soothing. Opt for fabrics and linens made out of natural materials like linen, cotton and wool.

Less is more

It is hard for a cluttered room to feel relaxing. Closed and disorganised spaces can create feelings of anxiety and irritability. Wide windows, open concepts and plenty of free space that flows effortlessly will create a sense of spaciousness. Consider your furniture placement and ensure to keep it grouped in a way that makes it comfortable and intimate, without taking up too much space.