Decorating and Design - * Room colours set by lighting: I need ideas ! *

I have been looking around for a good colour scheme for my soon-to-be new home, when my boyfriend threw me an idea that captured my imagination: to let the lighting colour the room.
We had been looking into the neighbour´s windows ;-) and one of the rooms was flooded by soft green & yellow lights, while another was filled with orange and crimson. The light came from lamps and candles. As we were debating upon which one is prettier, my boyfriend said that we should have both the options: lamps and candles of several colours in the room, and according to your mood, you can light certain colours !
This really sounds nice, but my only concern is that this would work only after dark. And, as I would have to stick to a fairly neutral colour scheme, won´t it all look rather dull during the day ?

Do you have any ideas or suggestions ?

One idea that came into my mind is to decorate the room with a bit of yellow or beige, that way it won´t clash with the coloured lighting after dark...

Color comes from paint, fabrics, art, accessories, rugs, etc. While natural and artificial light can affect color at different times of the day, it is important to choose colors at different times of the day under both natural and artificial lighting. Color is what makes your home. Both lighting and color can affect your mood. Color is also often selected based on the theme or style of the home. Many choose to surround themselves with color that makes them happy.

You mention that the two of you like the colors of soft green and yellow as well as orange and crimson. The right tones and hues of these colors and in the right combinations in your home can provide you with a very cheerful color scheme.

Take a look about you. What colors do you currently have in upholstery, fabrics, draperies, art work and accessories? Is it a hodge podge of colors or do you have a specific color scheme? Are you wanting to change your color scheme? Do you have an area rug or piece of art from which you can work to determine the best color scheme for your home that will befit your personalities as well as the theme or style of your home and its natural lighting.

There are many books about the use of color in decorating and interior design and the moods evoked by color schemes. While one color scheme might be good for someone else, although stunning, it may not be the color scheme for your home. Selecting colors for a home is a challenge and a very personal decision.

While it may seem simple enough to think one can change room color by changing the color of light bulbs or candles, it is not that simple. Fluorescent lighting can affect color of paint and furnishings. Depending on bulb selection, light can evoke anything from warmth to cool blue tones. Incandescent lighting tends to evoke yellow tones and makes warm colors more intense. Halogen lighting is brighter and whiter and tends not to distort colors. Even though different types of artificial lighting can affect colors, it is not used as a tool to change a color scheme.

Take a look at a color wheel. There are thousands of combinations of colors. The secret is to select a color scheme that works for you. Perhaps you have a love of the outdoors and want to pull colors in from there. Look through magazines, watch HGTV, visit showrooms, fabric shops, paint stores, etc. Collect paint chips, fabric and wallpaper swatches, and anything that has colors that appeal to you and would work with your current furnishings and pull everything together. One important key in color selection is to create continuity as the color scheme moves throughout your home, varying which color dominates from your selected colors.

Perhaps with more details about your home and what you want to achieve, others can offer helpful information. You can post pictures at a website like www.photobucket.com and then post a link here so that we can see your interior. If you are hungry for color and you live where you are allowed to paint the walls, then it's time to get serious about the use of color. If you live where you can not paint the walls, color can be used in wall hangings, window treatments, rugs, art, accessories, green plants, etc.

I will be starting from scratch when Imove into my new home ! I haven´t got almost any furniture or any other stuff yet. I am even looking for the house... but most german houses are all painted white anyway.

I want to use halogen lighting, but with a colourful lampshade. And, I like to keep the lighting soft, and light lots of little lapmps and candles in colourful glasses. So, there will be spaces with strong light only in reading & work areas, while the rest of the room will be softly lit most of the time. That is how I want to create the atmosphere of the rooms after dark.
But I don´t really know much about how lighting affects colours...

I have thought of keeping the rooms all white, but that will not be really possible as there is a baby on the way (kids=mess). Besides, while white and neutrals will create a nice canvas for colours after dark, I´m afraid that they will look pale and cold in the day, especially in winters...

There is nothing wrong with white walls. Color can be added with furnishings, art, accessories, etc. White will showcase everything! And, remember that there are many different hues of white!

Starting from scratch is wonderful! In the meantime, you can study and research color schemes and decorating styles. Make choices carefully. Explore shops for a picture, area rug, vase, or something that has the colors that appeal to you. From there, you can build your color scheme and furnish your home.

Your concerns about lighting are legitimate. Many fail to take natural and artificial lighting into consideration. Rooms on western and southern sides of the home tend to have much brighter and more direct natural lighting during the day. Eastern & northern exposures tend not to receive as much natural light. Many use this as a guideline for paint colors, painting warmer colors on cooler exposures & cooler colors on warmer exposures. White walls do not have to be boring during the day. They can showcase art, photos, wall hangings, etc. which provide the color and drama you desire.

It sounds like you already have a good understanding of the use of light and its effects on ambience and the need for the right lighting for tasks. As indicated, different types of artificial lighting can affect mood and colors in a room: "Fluorescent lighting can affect color of paint and furnishings. Depending on bulb selection, light can evoke anything from warmth to cool blue tones. Incandescent lighting tends to evoke yellow tones and makes warm colors more intense. Halogen lighting is brighter and whiter and tends not to distort colors."

Paint can be an issue in a household with children because washability is a concern. Flat latex paint is porous and absorbent of soils and oils and stains and does not lend itself very well to washing. Eggshell & semi-gloss latex paint can tolerate some washing. Many opt for more washable paint in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and sometimes children's rooms.

The following is a basic and informative article that might get you going on thinking about color: http://www.paint.org/con_info/choosing.cfm

This article may further clarify the effects of light on color: http://www.voiceofcolor.com/en/aboutcolor/decorating_library/lighting/index.asp

The following is an excellent article explaining the effects of natural & artificial lighting on color: http://www.paintpro.net/Articles/PP804/PP804-Colors.cfm

Thanks a loooot for these links and explanations ! I read the articles on lighting, and that has really helped me to understand what kind of light does exactly what.

Now that you have some basic lighting research done, we look forward to working with you as you decorate your new home. Do post back, starting new threads to ask questions and get suggestions.