Solving problems using colours and patterns

There are certain things you can do with colour and patterns to 'change' the look and feel of rooms, below are a few suggestions for different situations.

Room seems dark, with little natural light

Use white, cream, or yellow as predominant colour with plenty of bright-colour accents. Use mirrors to make the most of whatever light is available. Keep the flooring pale.

Room seems cold, light comes from north or east

Use warm colours from red, orange, or yellow part of colour wheel. Add plenty of 'warm' textures in furnishing materials, and some patterns.

Ceiling seems too high

Paint ceiling in a dark colour from warm half of the wheel - e.g. bright red. Dark cool colours (deep blue or green) can also be effective. Continue this colour partly down the walls to picture-rail height, possibly adding a border or frieze with paper or stencils. The flooring should also be dark, paint the skirting the same colour. Avoid vertical patterns for the wallcovering, choose one with horizontal or non-directionai emphasis.

Ceiling seems too low

Paint ceiling in light colour, preferably from cool half of colour wheel (pale blue, pale green, or blue-grey). Use a wallcovering with a vertical emphasis. Paint skirting same colour as wails. Keep furniture low in level. Floor coverings should be pale.

Narrow room (also halls, corridors)

Paint end wail in an advancing, warm colour. Use floor covering with crossways stripe, or choose a plain one and paint the skirting the same colour.

Room seems too small

Use a wallcovering with a small pattern in pale colours, preferably from cool half of the colour wheel. Mirrors can give an illusion of more space.