Ask Pl’us’

Ask Pl’us’ is a new blog feature where we’ll utilize CDFL’s Power of Plus to share some of our experts’ opinions on landscaping, how to get the most of your space, lighting, and more. If you have questions you’d like answered by our architects, engineers, interior designers, or landscape architect, please email horlansky@cdfl.com.

Question: Help! My house needs paint and I’m stuck. What are the keys to selecting good interior colors?

Lori Willis, Interior Designer: Great question! Here are some of the things I keep in mind when selecting paint colors:

What is the scale of the room? Is it a large space or a small space? You must consider the size of the room because it’s important to choose a color that is appropriate for the space and what you are trying to accomplish. I’m sure everyone has at least one room in their home that’s too small and possibly problematic to decorate. For small rooms, use a color scheme that’s light rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white would be good color choices. To make your space seem even larger, you can use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs, and walls. Another way to visually expand the space is to select different shades and textures of a single color.

That being said, don’t be afraid of color in the rest of your house! If you want to accent a wall with color, consider pulling one or two shades from a favorite piece of artwork that you plan on incorporating into the space. You can apply it to an accent wall, the backs of bookcases, or keep the accent colors to the furnishings.

When in doubt, don’t limit yourself to small color chips. Paint big sheets of cardboard and prop them up in the room in question. This gives a better idea of what the color is going to look like with the amount of natural light that enters the room.

Question: I’m bored with the layout of my living room — what are some easy steps to updating my space?

When we arrange furniture in a space, we provide flow to our floor plan. Choose furniture that fits the space, and don’t try to squeeze too much in. You need to provide enough space for an efficient flow of traffic. Also, as you’re rearranging, consider the size of your furniture. Anything with a heavy look or dark colors will feel huge in the room. Use similarly scaled pieces to create a balanced, relaxing space with a sense of well-being.

If you want to add visual interest, incorporate a variety of furniture with different characteristics & sizes. Don’t be afraid to pull your sofa out from the wall. This is a good way to visually divide a space if you have a combined living and dining area.