Top Wall Colour Picks for 2008

Paint

Sure-to-be a hit for the new year are deep dark purple-reds or beet colours a favorite is Benjamin Moore's Black Raspberry. Whether using it to coat a feature wall or showing its presence in accents (trims, fabric patterns, rugs or lampshades), this colour is especially trendy for interiors.

Pea green choices, like Behr's Bamboo Leaf, is a hot choice for 2008, and can be combined in the overall scheme with a beet colour to make a statement. For small rooms, keep the beet as an accent, the pea green either as a primary or secondary colour, and a peachy vanilla, like Benjamin Moore's Thousand Islands, on walls and bigger areas. This combination works better with lighter floor tones. If this does not apply in your specific case, a good option is to add in a vanilla shade with a hint of tan one that works well is Benjamin Moore's Capri Coast.

Pink is very much in as well. It is no longer considered the little girls room or lady-like colour. Shades of pink can be used in living and dining areas to cover walls or to compose upholstered furniture pieces; a lovely light pink is Ralph Lauren's Hallard Barn. For a funkier look, choose a hot magenta and pair it with a blue green to achieve both harmony and punch.

Wallpaper

Wall treatments are a good way to bring immediate style and life to a space. Organic, geometric, retro and damask patterns are great options to layer in your scheme. When the main colour is not very bright, pick a wall covering with some sparkle to make it shine. If you are still reluctant to treat your walls with wallpaper, try applying it on one feature surface or make cut-outs and place them apart in a horizontal wave-like pattern.

Expert Advice

To achieve a balanced result, always shop for colours with a mind to what you already have in the room. Your new colour scheme should not clash with the existing or permanent elements of the space. If you are not keen to paint your baseboards, trims and moulding, remember note that even the lightest wood has colour!

Also important to keep in mind is that what you liked in a magazine shot or at the paint store may not look the same in your home. The amount of light in a room can dramatically change the way a colour is visualized by the eye. Remember to always experiment with colour samples by placing them against the wall or surface to be painted. Deciding on a colour scheme can be pretty frustrating and time consuming! Thats why the best option is to consult with your interior designer or decorator first.