Restful Rooms!

My tips on how to create restful rooms 

If you have been thinking of ways to transform your home into a quiet oasis, the easiest and most cost-effective way is through the use of color.

I don’t think anyone would disagree that uncertainty is what we live with. That can affect our mental and physical health.

What we need when we are home is a calm, cozy and intimate environment. Color can do this for you.

Cooler hues of grays, blues, greens and purples create a relaxing feeling in whatever rooms you choose. These ”cooler” colors have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. These hues offer an additional benefit: they make a space appear more expansive. They are ideal for bedrooms.

Here are some pictures to inspire you!

Du interiors Design - SW Passive 7064 wall color
©Elle M Photography

Soothing doesn’t mean boring. One of my favorite colors for bedroom walls is a dark gray-blue. It adds drama but retains a calm, cool and collected vibe. Some people are resistant to deep colors but a large piece of artwork or a decorative headboard can diminish or “break up” the impact of darker shades.

 

https://www.houzz.com/photo/53228329-chiswick-green-studios-loft-apartment-industrial-bedroom-london

I recommend the use of white elements or a classic bright white ceiling to bounce light around dark blue-gray walls. One of the best ways to warm up a cool color palette is to include warm materials such as wood and natural fibers like sisal, sea grass and jute.

My suggestions for the dark gray-blue presentation would be Magnet Dapple from Valspar or Granite Peak from Sherman-Williams. 

If you are more comfortable with lighter hues, consider soft gray. Rooms with pure white walls and ceilings can feel cold and stark. By adding gray tints you retain the light, bright space you like but the contrast between the gray and white is less institutional.

https://www.houzz.com/photo/51476716-plymouth-model-transitional-living-room-minneapolis

Sherwin Williams Color

For a less dramatic approach I suggest a soft warm gray look with Worldly Gray SW 7043 - above, or a cooler gray with Coventry Gray HC-169.

 

https://www.houzz.com/photo/18314232-his-and-hers-master-bedroom-traditional-bedroom-vancouver
Custom color similar to Coventry Gray

Benjamim Moore Color

What about green? If the colors of nature appeal to you, I would go with sage, celery or light pistachio. Greens create serenity and contentment. These greens can be used as a barely there whisper of color and still be elegant. The answer is finding a green that has some gray in it.

 

http://www.urbangrace.com/project-i/

For the soft neutral green I recommend White Sage from PPG Pittsburgh Paints or Gray Wisp from Benjamin Moore.

 

Muted green is captivating in kitchens with white cabinets, but it also works well with taupes, grays and browns. In small spaces it has a sophisticated vibe.

So relaxing! 

You can energize the space by adding pops of color, like blue, orange, purple or black.

And remember: Du Interiors provides professional assistance to assure perfect results! We offer consultations or complete interior design services where we do all the work for you.

Happy May!