1. Choosing a color from a tiny paint chip, small fabric sample, or a picture in a magazine.


People often look at a small paint chip and think it’s a fabulous color. When it’s on the walls, it’s too garish, too light, or just plain wrong.

A tiny square of color is never a good indicator of how the color will look on a large expanse. A good example is how a warm tan swatch can wind up as vivid as a pumpkin (far too bright and irritating). Beiges and greys are especially susceptible to unexpected results.

Solution:
Buy sample jars of paint and apply a good-sized swatch (not a patch) directly onto the wall or on a poster board or any other rigid material that can be moved around. Live with the colors and look at them under different lighting conditions - daylight and artificial lighting at night.

Colors come in dozens of shades. For example, red may be a tomato red (a red with a tinge of orange) or a berry red (a red with a tinge of blue).

A common mistake is selecting a color without considering its saturation. A little bit of a vivid color can go a long way in interior design, whereas too much can be overwhelming.

For example, the muted shades of yellow-green (not bright lime green) work best for all four walls.

Solution:
Carefully examine the color. Place the paint or fabric sample next to the color that you need to match. It should be very very close. When in doubt, remember this: The darker the color the less the likelihood of its clashing. In other words, a deep dark red will be more likely to match a wider range of reds.

Note: Neutral does not mean beige or grey. Every color has a neutral shade.

3. Misjudging patterns.

Typically many people judge a pattern - and the effects of the colors - as they hold it at arms length or close to their eyes.

For example, a pattern that consists of a small yellow design on a blue background will wind up green when viewed at a distance. Colors optically mix. (A good example of this effect can be found in the pointillist paintings of the Impressionist period in art.)

Solution:

View patterns at a distance of at least 9 feet (3 meters). Get a sample of the patterned fabric or wall covering. Place it on the window, wall, floor, or furniture area where it will be used. colors, chose a neutral shade that goes with everything in the room.

4. Too many colors and contrasts

The biggest mistake an amateur or professional designer can make is using too many colors and contrasts. The result is so disorderly that people are not comfortable in a room.

Solution:
Begin by limiting the palette to two colors. Experiment with various shades of the same basic color. This can still create a very dramatic effect. Accents in other colors can be added later.

All too often, people are controlled by color trends. Unfortunately, if you dig deep enough into color forecasting, you’ll probably find contradictory information.

Solution:
Forecasters are really trying to read the moods of people and note trends. Your feelings and moods define the colors that are best for you. The colors in your home need to reflect your preferences and fit in with your lifestyle. Since color trends change quite often, consider your budget and how long you will keep a piece (or new wall colors) before making a decision.