Five Reasons to Hire a Color Consultant for Your Next Interiors Project
If you’ve ever found yourself surrounded by paint swatches, quietly pulling your hair out over the differences between Pure White, All White, and something called Chantilly Lace, you’ll know how frustratingly difficult it can be to find the perfect color. Not to mention a color that everyone agrees on. A color that complements the unique flow of light and shade in your space. One that evokes a particular mood and feels restful, energized, or joyful, depending on what you want to achieve. Extend that process to an entire color scheme, and your sanity may be on the line.
Blending art and science
Nailing a great color or color palette requires a few key ingredients, one of which is an understanding of the rules of color and light theory. A color consultant is trained to assess the impact of light and shadow and has an appreciation of undertone, Light Reflective Values (LRV), and how the aspect of a room influences ‘warmth’ and depth perception. For example, light in a north-facing room will appear cool, and the lack of shadow can make the space feel visually flat.
The interplay of light and shadow
A trained color consultant will also consider what’s directly beyond your window. A lush garden may reflect into your room, casting an unattractive green tinge on your walls unless neutralized with a color choice that has red or peach undertones.
Color consultants bring a subtle set of skills to choosing the right color combinations to complement the way you live. It’s more than visual balance. They consider associations, likes, dislikes, architectural styles, and, of course, purpose to curate a palette you’ll love.
2. Health and well-being
Another vital, often overlooked, consideration when choosing colors (and paint) is how they impact your health and well-being. Environments that are over- or under-stimulating prompt physiological responses in the body, contributing to long-term stress, anxiety, trouble concentrating, and other issues.
The great news is that you can play with this stimulus to deliver drama in appropriate areas, like entertaining spaces, or dial it back in connecting spaces that people typically travel through. For many of us, our home provides a retreat from the madness of modern life. We want to create a space in which we’re able to rest and refuel, which requires the right colors in the correct proportions.
3. In-depth product knowledge
Let’s take a minute to discuss the sheer plethora of paint products, which in itself can become a headache (figuratively and literally). Many contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) release harmful chemicals into the air during application, causing headaches, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. They’re particularly noxious for children, older people, and those with respiratory conditions.
VOCs can linger for days to weeks after application, evaporating slowly, so even exterior paints need careful consideration. You may be unknowingly exposed to compounds when you open your windows or are outside enjoying your garden. These compounds also contaminate water sources and soil and significantly contribute to air pollution in California, according to the California Air Resources Board.
It’s why I prefer to work with brands that specialize in low- to zero-VOC water-based, high pigment paints for artisan finishes. These days, they last beautifully, and the right finish will withstand even the most rugged treatment.
And if your exterior needs to stand up to severe conditions that only oil-based products can cover, transitioning to low- to zero-VOC paints elsewhere will still help protect the environment.
No- to low-VOC paints help protect the environment
4. Save time and money
We all love Pinterest and Houzz for inspiration, but without an understanding of how specific colors are influenced by light and shade in your space—not to mention how different colors appear online versus real life—you risk being disappointed. Working with a color consultant is an investment, but their processes and creative input save you precious time and money by helping you find the right products for your budget, thereby avoiding costly mistakes.
An architectural color consultant will also advise you on specific brands, finishes, and how to care for them to ensure premium quality results that look fabulous for the long term (no repainting two years down the line).
Color consultants offer a specialist service that delivers impactful results in less time than full service interior design, which makes it much more affordable.
5. Improve flow and add interest
A well-considered palette does more than just look good; it rejuvenates tired corners, leads the eye from one space to the next, and creates pockets of unexpected interest, even in boxy new homes. They add depth and balance and can unite seemingly disparate elements of your interior.
Finally, the 'F’ word
It’s fun. There, I said it. Work with the right color consultant, and suddenly the paint scaries disappear. In their place, you have an ally invested in helping you transform your home into a space that speaks to you and loves you right back.
Ready to explore the color possibilities for your space? Get in touch.