2014 Tips for Choosing Perfect Bedroom Color Schemes

Whether you crave a palette of bright colors or prefer a soothing scheme of neutrals for your bedroom, find inspiration from these bedrooms that showcase colors perfectly.

Peppy Color Scheme : Coral Orange + Aqua Blue + Latte White 

Neutral walls and furniture in shades of similar warm white create a cloudlike backdrop for vibrant coral-orange and aqua blue. Abstract floral print shams on the bed provide the inspiration for the color scheme and the rest of the room's elements follow suit. To start your bedroom color scheme, find a pillow or bedspread with colors you love and build from there. Often, bedding comes in coordinated sets, but don't be afraid to break them up. Mix and match, or leave parts of the set out. For example, nix the bed skirt that matches the pillows and opt for a version in a solid color that blends with the rest of the bedding.

Fashion-Forward Color Scheme : Slate + Lemon + Cloud 

The oh so fashionable color palette of gray and yellow makes a bold statement in this petite bedroom. A rich slate on the walls leans heavily towards the blue end of the gray spectrum and is the star of the scheme. Cloud-color bedding continues the gray parade, and yellow on the pillows, ottomans, and accessories brings a partly sunny vibe to the chic grays.

Snowy White Color Scheme : Pearl White + Cream + Black

Evoking the look of freshly fallen snow, this cottage style bedroom combines pearly whites with softer yellow-based whites for a look that is undeniably soothing and graceful. A mirrored nightstand and oval mirror above the bed break up the blanket of white, as do hints of black.

Modern Color Scheme : Bright Sky Blue + Cool White + Warm Oak

Blue is a quintessential classic, but its enduring legacy works in modern settings as well. To achieve the look, sky blue is used with crisp white as well as clean-lined furniture and accessories in this bedroom. The wall color, a shade lighter than the bedding and drapes, maintains the modern monochromatic color scheme, but pulls back the walls slightly to allow the other elements, such as the architectural bed in warm oak, to shine.

Classic Global Color Scheme : Poppy Red + Mink Gray

Gray gets pulled into the excitement of red, creating a traditional bedroom alive with global-inspired motifs. Red bedding and pillows turn a simple sleigh bed into a focal point and mink gray walls temper the rich red and crisp white palette. Block and ikat prints bring global flair to the space. The curtains dial back on red and rely on a palette of brown, black, and orange, a move that acknowledges the red's presence, but seeks to not overuse the crimson hue in the space.

Serene Green Color Scheme : Seafoam Green + Tidal Blue + Surf White

A beach inspired color scheme strays from being too "theme-y" when there is nary a beach motif in sight. In this bedroom, seafoam green and watery blues evoke a seaside look, while traditional elements, such as the upholstered window cornice, an antique chair, and graceful headboard maintain a level of sophistication.

Elegant Neutral Color Scheme : Antique Whites + Crisp White

Forget the notion that your whites have to match. A mixed bag of neutrals can create a visually interesting space with a few simple tricks. Keep your palette of whites within the same family, so that they all share similar undertones. In this bedroom, warm whites in varying intensities color the walls, trim, and bedding. Texture and repetition also bring the palette to life. Using each color more than once makes the mixing look more intentional. Here, light mocha appears on the trim, stool cushions, and shams, while linen white colors the artwork and drapes.

Fresh Cottage Color Scheme : Linen White + Sunny Yellow + Dove Gray

White is a go to choice for bedrooms because of its soothing, simple properties. Plus, it can be interpreted as modern, traditional, cottage, or vintage. In this cheery space, the neutral goes cottage, with splashes of yellow on the bedding and plenty of style-specific accents, such as the wrought iron bed and eclectic gathering of accessories. Hints of gray keep the color palette fashion-forward.

Dramatic Color Scheme : Navy Blue + Snow White + Lipstick Pink

Dark colors equate with drama in a bedroom setting. For a more steady approach to drama, use a dark color in one large dose and let the rest of the room's elements remain bright. In this sophisticated bedroom, rich navy blue colors the walls and is a backdrop for the burlap white headboard, bench, and nightstand. Snow white bedding with lipstick pink trim and white drapes are also eye catching against the deep blue.

Pink Panache Color Scheme : Blush Pink + Candlelight Yellow + Charcoal Black

Pale pink grass cloth sets this room aglow and softens the angles of the vaulted ceiling. Mixing white bedding with pink sheets and shams ensures the color remains sensuous, not saccharine. Candlelight yellow tones in the artwork and a large area rug offer contrasting color, but also contribute to the glow of the room. Black brings structure to the bedroom via a curvaceous bed frame, table lamps, and the frame on the painting.

Oceanside Color Scheme : Watercolor Blue + Sandy White

Simple, but hardly simplistic, a color palette of two is a welcoming break from a color-saturated world. In this light-filled room, the judicious use of white reflects the incoming natural light, making the blue walls appear almost iridescent. A more saturated palette on the painting above the bed serves as a contrast point and a reminder of just how light and delicate the rest of the room is.

Black & White Color Scheme : Ebony + Powder White + Pale Citron

Black and white are anything but basic when played out in a symphony of pretty patterns and textures. White drapes soften expansive walls and high ceilings. The fabric is thin, which makes the drapes floaty, rather than bulky. In a room that gets a lot of natural light or has high ceilings, an element with a bold visual presence will anchor the room. Here, a black upholstered bed grounds the space and a white geometric pattern unites the piece to the rest of the room. When incorporating color with black and white, go with a barely there color to keep the room's emphasis on graphic elements. The muted citron walls in this room are subtle, but still add interest.

Natural Color Scheme : Sage Green + Bark Brown + Swan White

Colors and motifs from nature introduce charm to this quaint bedroom. The flowering branch fabric used on the window shade and bed skirt inspire the room's palette. A coordinating stripe fabric on the sham continues the green and brown color play and an ikat pillow offers an unexpected twist in motif. The pure white duvet, trim, and lampshade offer a clean counterpoint to the bedroom's muted colors. To avoid color overload, match paint swatches to a pattern, but then use the color at the top of the swatch for your walls. Here, the wall color has similar undertones to the browns in the room's fabrics, but is several shades lighter.

Perfectly Aged Color Scheme : Country French Blue + Antique Whites

Capture the charm and grace of a bygone era with a palette of blue and tan in shades that appear antiqued. Keep the blues reigned in and employ a limited range of shades to maintain a sense of elegance. Here, the wall color matches the blue in the bedding and table skirt perfectly. Take a little more liberty with the whites. Using pure shades alongside shades in varying degrees of antiquing gives the room a collected old-time look. Bright white linens and freshly painted white trim indicate that the room has been maintained and freshened, while the patina on the chair and aged white plates nod to the past.

Cozy Cool Color Scheme : Granite Gray + Down White + Grass Green

Envelope an expansive room in a blanket of coziness with a rich, yet warm wall color. Here, a saturated gray with warm yellow undertones is the color of choice. An abundance of white contributes a modern vibe, while hints of zingy green on the headboard and chevron throw pillow inject life into the demure color scheme.

Monochromatic Color Scheme : Taupe + Cream + Squash

Monochromatic color schemes are poised for success when the hues stop just short of the extremes. In this bedroom, a range of taupes colors everything including the bedding, furniture, and wall color, but the palette excludes the deepest, darkest of taupes. Sticking to the light and medium range taupes focuses the color scheme for a more polished look. Squash yellow makes a cameo on throw pillows and the tan trim unites the blocks of yellow to the rest of the room's palette.

Contemporary Grace Color Scheme : Dove Gray + Tulip Pink 

Hints of pink bring a graceful air to a contemporary space. Gray and white patterns from the striped rug to the damask drapes and plaid wallpaper are subtle, yet add visual texture, while bright tulip pink punctuates the space. When introducing a bright accent color, use it at least three times in the room so it flows seamlessly.

What You Need to Know When Using Color In Your Home

These are the three things you have got to know about color . First step, take your temperature. Colors are either warm or cool, depending on their undertones. So first step, figure out where you land. Do gravity towards warm and cozy or cool and modern ?
If you love color , you have to let it breath. The best way to embrace color in your space is to embrace negative space as well. The room doesn't have to be filled with all kinds of saturated color .
The eye needs a place to rest. There has to be a balance and a push and pull. Make all your important color decisions in your space.
That's where you're living with the color . It's going to look completely different at home than it looks in the showroom. So get it home, live with it a little bit and see if it feels right.

You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!

2014 Colorful Kitchen Backsplashes Ideas

Kitchen backsplashes no longer simply protect walls from spills and splatters, a wide array of eye catching materials like glass, wood, metals and stone make the backsplash the focal point of today's kitchens.

You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!

From traditional tile to trendy glass and shiny metal to rustic wood there is seemingly no end of choices for kitchen backsplashes today.Tile is still the most popular backsplash material, with natural stone a fast growing second.

The glass in this blacksplash was chosen to complement art glass pieces in the homeowners' collection. To achieve the look, large sheets of glass were cut into tiles and laid individually.The challenge in working with glass is getting the best colors and control.

Handmade Tile : One of a kind backsplash mosaics can be made of ceramic tile as well. Mosaic artist Vicki Morrow of Tile Art Mosaics in Scottsdale, Arizona, designed and fabricated this backsplash for clients who collect southwestern art.

Copper Tile : Ceramic tiles covered in a thin coating of copper comprise this backsplash by Tami Holsten of Bear Trap Design. Although there is a protective coating on top, says Holsten, "Copper is a living material, so it will naturally patina over time. In my opinion, that just makes it more beautiful." When cleaning copper, she recommends using a pH-balanced cleanser as anything acidic will damage the finish.

Ceramic + Glass Tile : Can't decide between ceramic and glass? This 'Island Star Mosaic' from Porcelanosa's Victorian Collection is a combination of matte porcelain and iridescent glass, which creates subtle changes when it reflects light.

Limestone + Glass Tile : In this kitchen, the mix of materials was created not by a tile manufacturer, but by the designer. Brigitte Fabri, CMKBD, of Drury Designs, wanted to create a "castle wall" effect in this kitchen, without detracting from the room's focal point  the copper hood. For most of the backsplash, she chose a large scale 12x24 'Crema Marfil' limestone because the larger the tile, the fewer distracting grout lines, she explains. And behind the range, she used a honed glass tile called 'Malaga Cove Wings' by Stone & Pewter. To add the illusion of greater height to the 8-foot ceilings, Fabri brought the tile down as close to the range as she could and elongated the niche area all the way up to the hood itself.

Tumbled Stone + Glass Tile : Another gorgeous mixed-media backsplash: Here, glass is mixed with today's popular natural stone. To ensure that this kitchen by Remodelworks looked distinctive, the client installed glass tile behind the range to accent the 4x4 tumbled stone tile that makes up most of the backsplash. Then, interior designer Dixie Lovejoy came up with the idea of turning the tile vertically, so that it looks like a waterfall or rising steam.

Stone: River Rock : Although the most common use of these river rock pebbles is actually shower floors, photo stylist Chris Walker and her husband came up with the idea of using them as a kitchen backsplash. They asked their kitchen designer John Petrie, CMKBD, president elect of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, to install it on the walls. "The one of a kind, free flowing edges of the pebbles not only mimic the flow of soft teal veins in the dark green soapstone countertops," says Walker, "but also balance the vertical lines of the Shaker-style cabinet doors." Lesson learned: when you're shopping for backsplash materials, ask the vendor to show you floor tiles, as well. While not every product will adapt well to vertical application, you may hit upon an unusual and easily implemented idea.

Stone: Quartzite Sandstone : This textured, rustic backsplash makes it look as if this kitchen by Hamilton-Gray Design is fully constructed of stone. But, in fact, the quartzite material actually comes in pieces that are applied just like tile, making it a viable choice even in a home with plaster or sheetrock walls.

Stone: Marble Checkerboard : If you don't find marble tiles in the exact sizes and shapes you want for a backsplash, marble can be custom cut. To bring in some of the lush green landscape beyond the large windows of this home, designer Eileen Kollias, CKD, cut green and white 12-inch marble tiles into 6x6 squares with chamfered edges. The tiles are laid in a harlequin pattern than brings a bit of whimsy into this elegant home, and serves as a dramatic backdrop for prized pieces such as the homeowner's antique coffee grinder/coffee storage cabinet.

Pattern: Brickwork : Familiar as it is, a brickwork tile scheme can look fresh  if the tile itself is eye catching. The kitchen pros at Drury Designs chose this brown subway tile to add contrast to an all white kitchen and to make the space appear larger, because the glass tile reflects light. Running the tile all the way up the wall also adds dimension to the space by drawing the eye upwards.

Unusual Materials: Repurposed Plywood : If you don't want to harvest new wood for your backsplash project, you can take your cue from Karen Swanson of New England Design Works, who had her contractor rip sheets of found plywood into 6-inch wide planks, and install them 3/8" apart on the walls of this kitchen. This resourceful backsplash a modern interpretation of shiplap paneling, Swanson explains is painted with Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo paint, which makes it stand up well in a kitchen. "Painted plywood is not as 'bullet proof' as some other backsplash choices one could make," Swanson concedes. "I would suggest wiping up spills quickly and not allowing standing water next to this but then again, I also suggest that with a tile and grouted backsplash."

Unusual Materials: Chalkboard Paint : If you think all work and no play can make a backsplash dull, there are plenty of ways to bring a light touch into a hardworking kitchen. Here, designer Susan Fredman painted the backsplash with chalkboard paint, which the homeowners can use to keep a recipe handy, write family reminders, or just doodle. The best part? When they want to change the message or clean things up they just wipe the chalkboard clean.