The open floor plan has been popular in homes for quite a while now — and for good reason. it brings people together, melding different living spaces into one to create room for everyone to be a participant. The spacious feel of connecting kitchen to living spaces is inviting, comforting, and cheerful. But it does present a decorating problem — how do you choose a color palette that blends from room to room when the rooms are no longer divided by walls?
Too much color in the open floor plan will overwhelm. Too little color will bore. How do you find the balance to create a beautiful, seamless space?
Three to Five Colors
One key in choosing a palette is to stick to three to five colors that you will use for your entire space. One of those colors should be white or light, one or two should be neutral, and one or two are supporting colors. Stick to color families or to colors that share the same intensity to keep this cohesive.
Neutral
A neutral color palette need not be boring in an open space. Instead, it gives you room to add texture and pattern in interesting ways. Choosing a white or other neutral background for your open floor plan gives you the freedom to add a textured wall in the same color or contrasting finishes. A brick wall, colorful backsplash, or textured ceiling add interest to the space.
Add an Accent Color
Even if you choose to keep the room neutral, you can add some paint color in strategic places. Find the interesting angles and corners of the room, and go bold. These areas will have a natural stop and start point, so you won’t have to wonder where the lines should be drawn. Bold colors will add interest and even comfort to the room.
Use a Three-Color Scheme
Add interest and draw attention to architectural details with three colors that work well together. One color is for the walls, one is for the trim, and the third is for the ceiling. When done well, this looks sharp and sophisticated.
Tone on Tone
If too much of one color is too much of a good thing in your space, tone on tone is one step up. Use different tones of the same color, and gradually transition from tone to tone as you move to the different areas of the open space.
Use Furniture and Architecture
The open floor plan can be tricky when it comes to color, so get a helping hand from furniture and architecture. A bookcase can break up a long wall of the same color, or if it is the same finish as your kitchen cabinets, it can be key in tying together the two rooms. Ceiling beams provide a natural transition and can allow you to slightly alter the color from room to room. Molding provides a break in color, and can help you transition.
Bring color into the space with your furniture. Whimsically-colored chairs can add the pops of colors you want in the room, but can’t splash across every wall. Throw pillows can anchor your accent wall to the room.
A rug can define your living spaces so that a change in paint color may not be necessary. Be creative when using paint colors and furniture to turn your home into the beautiful oasis you want it to be.
At New Life Painting, we love helping people along the Central Coast space bring beauty to their open floor plans. We provide a professional colorist to help you make the best color choices for your space. Give us a call at (805) 937-9836, or contact us online for a free estimate.
