Image Credit: Qanvast, Todz’Terior
The color scheme of a home can greatly influence not only its look but also its ambience and feel. An all white color scheme is a proven minimalist favorite while a dark themed home provides drama and coziness. So which should you go for- light or dark?
Both have its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Most of the time, the choice could also boil down to preference and actual circumstances. Continue reading to learn more on what could suit your home better and come up with the right decision on your interior design.
Light Scheme, Bright Life
A light color scheme is without a doubt the more commonly used color scheme for home interiors. The look is clean, classy, and it just practically makes everything seem bright.
It is a very safe choice as it is simple and doesn’t require a lot of prohibitions. The size of the space is not an issue. If the space is small, a light color scheme will make it seem big. If the space is big, it will just make it bigger.
Image Credit: Renonation, The Monocot Studio
Furniture, Decors, and Accessories
With a light interior color scheme, the color of furniture and décor is also flexible. Both light and dark colored furniture will go well with light colored walls.
Shop this look: EIVIND Cone Creative Stick Pendant Lamp
Cornices and baseboards also match well with light colors. These rectangular mouldings fully show the elegance of traditional interior themes with the right mix of minimalism, just what’s trendy these days.
Image Credit: Qanvast, Schemacraft
All-White design
If an all-white theme is decided upon, remember to mix a hint of black or yellow on the white wall paint to achieve an off-white or eggshell white look. A satin finish is also highly recommended since a plain semi-gloss white finish simply looks dull and cheap. A white semi-gloss finish will also expose irregularities on plastered walls.
Image Credit: Renonation, Icon Interior Design
Accent Walls in Light Schemed Homes
It’s also not a bad idea to have accent walls with strong but complementary colors to your light interior scheme; darker shades of blue, green, and brown matches well with your white or light interior.
Image Credit: Home Reno Guru, Livinz Synthesis Pte Ltd.
Allow Natural Light
Image Credit: Qanvast, The Local INN.terior
It’s also a good choice to allow Mother Nature into your home. With the presence of natural light, good positioning of potted plants, and right choice of wooden furniture finishes, a white and bright home can be achieved.
Dark Makes a Mark
On the contrary, a dark finish requires more considerations to come up with a good finished product.
For a dark-colored interior scheme to make a mark, the first thing that you should do is to embrace dark colors. It is in fact proven that dark interior schemes may provide positive psychological effects making it not only trendy but can actually create a more comforting atmosphere.
Image Credit: Qanvast, Mr. Shopper Studio
Pulling this off can be challenging but at the same time fulfilling when made successful. The common dilemma is that when it becomes too dark, it tends to be gloomy rather than dramatic. Instead, the goal should be finding the right mix of sophistication and style. Here are some tips you can do to pull together a dark interior design for your home.
Know your Space
As previously said, going dark is challenging and will require attention to detail. First, consider the size and shape of the room. Is the area big or small? If it’s a big space, then go fully bold with your wall paint. However, if it’s a small room, then you should consider painting only the right surfaces dark. A dark accent covering the longest wall can emphasize the length of the room while a light colored wall on the shorter span or a window wall can fool the eyes.
Image Credit: Renonation, Story of Us
The Right Finish
It is not only the color itself that matters when it comes to interior design as the finish should also come into play. If you want a dark but trendy scheme, go for a matte or satin finish on your walls. These types of finishes are more classy and pleasing to the eyes. It also makes a space feel larger than it is especially on the edges and boundaries. A glossy dark finish tends to make the space look cheap and small.
Image Credit: Renonation, Zenith Arc
Blend and Contrast Furniture and Decors
Having dark colored walls, it is also recommended to have large furniture such as book cases, tall cabinets, and the like on a dark finish. It will make these large pieces blend in and can help in emphasizing the length of a wall.
Image Credit: Renopedia, Haven Design Consultants Pte Ltd
On the other hand, other furniture such as sofa, working tables and decors can be in a light shade to provide contrast. Beige, white and wood brown are perfect matches.
Consider Natural Lighting
Considering the natural daylight coming into the room is also a big factor. Having mirrors installed that will reflect natural light can make the space look brighter despite having dark colored walls.
Image Credit: Renopedia, Starry Homestead Pte Ltd
Use the Right Lighting Fixtures
Going for a dark color scheme, black-finished lighting fixtures should do the trick. There are plenty of industrial styled fixtures available in the market.
Get this Look: Frode Twisted Lines Ceiling Lamp
Choosing the Right Color Scheme- Looking into it Deeper
If you are yet to decide on your final choice for the right color scheme, below are a few considerations that you should contemplate on. Before you spend a lot on wall paints and interior decorations, you should consider these scenarios so you wont have remorse down the road.
Situation 1: Wanting a Low-maintenance Home
No one wants to spend a lot on home renovations especially if the end-goal is simply to restore it back to how it was before. If you want a low-maintenance home, go for a light color for your walls. Although it is obvious that light colored walls can easily get dirty, wiping the walls with a clean and damped rug can usually do the trick. Make sure also to top coat your walls with a bit glossy paint, as it is less maintenance compared to a flat painted wall.
On the other hand, finger prints, marks, and stains can be more noticeable on dark walls. Worse, dark colors have more tendencies to fade overtime especially when exposed to sunlight.
Our recommendation: Go light.
Image Credit: Renonation, Icon Interior Design
Situation 2: Hoping for a Warm and Cozy Vibe
A dark room can provide more intimacy and comfort while a light room may seem bright and too airy. For a warm and cozy vibe, go for a dark room. Use warm lights to cap off a pleasant intimate experience.
Our recommendation: Go dark.
Image Credit: Qanvast, Hall Interiors
Situation 3: Expecting a Change in the Future
If the room is temporary, like a music room that you may convert in the future to a nursery room, opt for a light color scheme. Having dark wall color is more expensive to paint over than a light one.
Our recommendation: Go light.
Image Credit: Renonation, Icon Interior Design
Situation 4: Making a Statement is the Goal
If your goal is to make a statement, the obvious choice is to go for a dark color scheme. There’s no better way to prove a point than to be bold and open.
Our recommendation: Go Dark.
Image Credit: Qanvast, The Scientist
Situation 5: Aware that Natural Light is not Abundant
This is a tricky one. For some, having scarce natural light is a reason to go for a dark color. After all, light colors need natural light to reflect and bounce off it. On the other hand, if you go for a dark color for an already dark space, then you’ll be forced to rely on artificial lighting.
Our recommendation: Either; will depend mostly on owner’s preference and priorities.
Image Credit: Renonation, Happe Design Atelier
Situation 6: Planning to Sell in the Future
Let’s face it, dark colored homes require boldness and acceptance. Although it is indeed pleasing and trendy, it is still not universally accepted. We also have to consider that trends change but light color schemes never fall out of style.
Our recommendation: Go Light.
Image Credit: Qanvast, Create
To sum things up, both light and dark color schemes have its good points and not so good points. If you want a challenge, a more modern home, and you’re a risk taker, then go for dark interiors. On the other hand, if you want to be safe and flexibility and simpler execution is your priority, then a lighter color scheme is best for you.
For big homes, we recommend a light color scheme because it will always be in style hence more practical, not requiring remodeling in the near future.
