How to Pick Paint Colors with an Open Layout Home
One of my most asked about questions is how to select paint colors with an open concept home. This is also the hardest to answer so please bear with me.
The colors throughout your house (furnishings, cabinets, rugs, window treatments — not just paint on the walls) should be cousins. Not siblings and definitely not twins. They need to be speaking the same language and definitely be related, but should not be the same throughout. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is picking one single accent color and carrying that throughout their entire home. Please don’t pick navy blue or red then use that for pillows, draperies, rug, etc. They should all speak to each other but please do not make it the same color.
“What does this mean though? Please just tell me what to do.” Let me run you through a few lessons to help better illustrate color selection:
Rule #1: No accent walls. Never. I’m so sorry but there are seriously no exceptions to this rule. I promise you. An accent wall looks like you ran out of money or just couldn’t commit. The elevated way to do it is to just paint the entire room that color.
“But what if I have an open concept home? Clearly, I need an accent wall?”
Rule #2: Create delineation between rooms. The only way to commit to painting the entire space is having a clear delineation between rooms. Don’t have one? Invest in one. This is one of the best things you can do for your space. Leave some walls, please. Or make them if they don’t exist. A charming cased opening leading into your kitchen. A clean archway into your dining room. Can you wall off your entry and make it a moment? Walk through your home and see if there are little moments like this that you can add. Yes, it does require a financial investment, but it’s a small one and well worth it.
Rule #3: You don’t have to pick white for your main space. It’s easier, yes, and an easy way to keep things light and bright. Warm it up. Some of my favorite warm colors are Minimalist by Sherwin Williams, Shaded White by Farrow and Ball. Another option would be to put a whiter paint on the walls and bring color or warmth into the trim and doors. Color can show up other places! Consider “Pigeon” by Farrow and Ball for something historic and fun! Also, I’ve painted an office door neon pink before — both sides. There are no rules (except accent walls, never an exception, sorry).
Rule #4: Bring color through other elements: Cabinetry. Window treatments. Millwork (trim, doors, built ins, wainscoting). Area rug. Bedding. Pillows. Upholstery. Art. The possibilities are endless! So many incredible opportunities for color. Sometimes it’s even fun to go bright white on your walls and do color literally everywhere else to give it an art gallery feel.