Selecting Paint Colours

There are many ways to choose colour, so here are a few steps we recommend to help you choose the right colours for you!

Step 1. Inspiration
Be aware of colour. Let yourself imagine the boldest of colour ideas. Ask yourself why you like what you like - and dislike. Recognise colour inspiration in the city or in country fields. Look for new ideas in magazines and books, movies, shops, restaurants and other people's homes. And remember to enjoy yourself; colour is fun!

Dulux have a range of colour materials available to help inspire you and also help with colour scheming - just ask your local Dulux stockist for details or visit www.dulux.co.nz

Step 2. Exploration
Now it's time to take the voyage to your nearest Dulux Stockist (check the Where to Buy? section on www.dulux.co.nz to locate your nearest stockist). Here you'll discover a world of colour and options. Collect your Dulux Colours of New Zealand™ palettes, fan deck and exterior and interior scheming examples to begin assembling your colour scheme.

Step 3. Consideration
Now's the time to translate inspiration to reality and create the look you want. Begin with your room or house. Consider the light, existing furniture, the streetscape, other textures and surfaces. Your Dulux Colours of New Zealand™ palettes and fandeck will help you determine the exact shade. With over 490 colours to choose from, you're sure to find a scheme you like.

Step 4. Confirmation
What will it really look like? Is it just the right shade? Colours appear to change in larger areas and ambient lighting, so Dulux have Sample Pots to help you test your colour selection, inside and out

Colour Tips
The only way to accurately select suitable paint colours is to test swatches on the walls to be painted. The way a colour reacts is dependent largely on light, which can change a colour drastically, either animating it by warming it up or softening it with a subtle bluish cast to cool it down. Colour is also affected by other surfaces in the room it reflects off.

Considerations in choosing colour.
Nature conditions us to expect ....

  • The darkest value at our feet
  • The medium value at eye level
  • The lightest value above us

Avoid monotony
Treat the eye and psyche to at least moderate variety. Visual stimulus or relief is vital. To create interest and contrast consider the following:

  • Warm and cool colours
  • Light and dark
  • Bright and dull
  • Smooth and textured

In most successful colour schemes, one colour is dominant, one is subordinate, and one is for accent or trim.

Avoid clashes
Your eye and gut will know! If you grit your teeth or get a knot in your stomach, don't use it!

Avoid assumptions
Colour is a chameleon:

  • It changes depending on adjacent colour
  • It reflects onto adjacent colour
  • White or beige will take on the tint of adjacent colour
  • Differing adjacent colours will appear more intense

Generally...

  • Cool colours and tints will make a space appear larger
  • Warm colours and shades will make a space appear smaller (and sometimes smaller is desirable)
  • Cool colours and tints make an object appear smaller and lighter in weight
  • Warm colours and shades make an object appear larger and heavier in weight
  • Contrasting colours contract space
  • Similar colours or values expand space
  • White, grey or colourless spaces are poor choices where people are to gather and interact
  • Perception of time and temperature differs depending on colour
  • Time seems to pass more quickly in warm spaces
  • Time seems to pass more slowly in cool spaces
  • Temperature is perceived as hotter in warm spaces
  • Temperature is perceived as colder in cool spaces
  • Warm colours and earth tones encourage and maintain body warmth and physical action
  • Cool colours are conducive to mental activities, projects and research
  • Cool colours can have a dampening effect on the level or quality of conversation

The only way to accurately select suitable paint colours is to test swatches on the walls to be painted. The way a colour reacts is dependent largely on light, which can change a colour drastically, either animating it by warming it up or softening it with a subtle bluish cast to cool it down. Colour is also affected by other surfaces in the room it reflects off.

Is there psychology to colour?
Much has been written over the years on this subject, the question is, are the theories more anecdotal than scientific fact? It can be said without doubt that colour does inspire and it does have meaning in our lives.

Here are some theories on emotional, physical and behavioural attributes of certain colours which colours suit you?