Colours for the home go in and out of fashion, just like clothes. It's easy to identify decades by colour. When people remember the 70s, they think of burnt-orange shag-pile carpet, lime-green accessories and acres of brown everywhere. The 80s had pale pink walls and grey leather sofas, or 'heritage' colours that went heavy on the greens and, yes, the pinks.

By the 90s, our rooms had become neutral zones, with pale walls and wheat-coloured carpet accented by dark brown timber furnishings and feature walls in ochre or plum.


If lemon zing's not your thing, relax. Zen-style homewares are still exerting an influence. All those white ceramics and clean-lined dark furniture are keeping cream, brown and burgundy in vogue.

Colours at the designer end of the market are metallics, neutrals and slightly degraded, dustier colours. This translates into dusky blues and purples set against pale creams. And watch out for gunmetal grey and pewter.


Exterior colours are also going through a change of culture without too much of the 'heritage' colour schemes anymore. People are steering towards sandstones and organic colours.

What's just around the corner?

Overall, the future in colour is looking bright and light. Whites and neutrals will remain in fashion, with textured fabrics and carpets used to add interest.

How to choose colours
Walls and floors cover a large area, so it's important what colour you make them. The question is, how do you start?

Better Homes and Gardens magazine says people can work out what colours they really like simply by opening their wardrobes. If their clothes scream a certain colour (OK, maybe wall-to-wall black is a problem), then they should take that into account when they choose paint or flooring.

Collecting lots of pictures of rooms you like from magazines and catalogues and putting them together in a scrapbook is very useful. As well as helping you identify what style of room you like, you can 'borrow' the colour scheme. Yet another trick is to copy the colours used in a favourite rug or in the fabric on your sofa - remember, you won't be changing all the furniture just because you repaint!

Who can help?
If you need a helping hand with your colour choices, hire a colour consultant. Most paint companies offer consultant services. The consultant will guide you in making the right colour decisions, as well as offering valuable suggestions. Fees for consultants vary.

Tips

• If you're scared to use bright colours, why not just paint the wall above or below the dado rail? That way, you can still enjoy the colour without being overwhelmed by it.
  Borrow colours from nature. Next time you're at the beach, look at the colour combinations on seashells.
  Cool colours in lighter tones make small rooms seem larger and dark rooms look lighter. Try sherbet green, lemon yellow and pale blue.
  Warm colours, like peach, rose pink and pumpkin, will make a large room cosier and soften the light in a sun-soaked room.
  Well lit rooms can take any colour, even darker hues like red and navy, without looking closed in. Strong colours can also look good in tiny rooms. There's no way you can hide how small the space is, so give it a blast of personality by using an intense hue.

How colour affects us

Colour can affect how you feel, so keep this in mind next time you choose a colour scheme.

Red: This is a very dominant hue and is seen as exciting, but it can increase nervous tension, so it's probably not a good idea for the kids' rooms. It's said to stimulate the appetite, so try it in the dining room.

Orange: A warm colour, it encourages activity and is a stimulator.

Yellow: This colour is believed to be intellectually stimulating. It's a good choice for the study or a room where you want to encourage conversation.

Green: This hue creates an air of tranquillity and calm. Excellent in rooms where you'd like to meditate or just relax.

Blue: A receptive, inviting colour, blue has been known to lower the blood pressure and pulse rate. It's the colour of aristocracy, authority and truth. It's also the colour of a sunny day, and you have to like that.

White: This tone is associated with purity and cleanliness. It looks refreshing and cool, but can be stark and tiring on the eyes if the room gets lots of sun.