As you look through the model homes of a new property that will be coming soon, you marvel at how every piece of furniture is placed in the house. The bold colours used don’t only not make the house shocking to see but rather gives a fashionable yet modern feel. Something that you dreamed that you could make your house look like. The conservative colours combined with lighting made the house very comfortable to be in.

Being a few steps ahead of your planning game, you start thinking about the different colours you could use for a house you just made an offer to. Assuming that you will be able to close the deal successfully, you start looking into different room colours and lighting options.

• Start with colours you love. Maybe it’s the colour in the couch, the colour of the carpet or one of the colours on your favourite vase. Now, you have your inspiration.
• With paint charts on hand, compare colour samples until you find a few you think will work.
• Do not take paint samples lightly; tape them to the wall to see the truest colour.
• Fine-tune your choices by moving the paint samples around the room; in the corners, next to the sofa, artwork and flooring.
• You might not be able to say, “I love this colour,” but you will definitely be able to say, “I don’t like this one at all.”
• Continue the method until you have selected one or two favourites. Then get a colour card (12” x 18”) or a small tin of paint and try the samples on the walls.
• Live with these colours for a few days before making your final choice.
• Then decide on the type of paint (oil or latex) and the sheen (matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, gloss or high gloss).

If you are still not comfortable with your colour selection, you might want to consider consulting a professional colour consultant to confirm your choices and or make alternative suggestions.

Another method of personalizing your space is in the use of ambient, task and accent lighting.

• Ambient lighting, also known as general lighting, provides an area with overall illumination. It radiates a comfortable level of brightness without glare and allows you to see and walk around safely. Ambient lighting is achieved with a combination of ceiling or wall-mount fixtures, chandeliers, hanging lamps, track lighting and pot lights.
• Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks like reading, grooming, preparing and cooking food, doing homework, playing games, working on hobbies and balancing your cheque book. Reading lamps should be set so the light from the bottom of the shade illuminates the book and doesn’t irritate the eyes. The bottom of a table lamp shade should be about 1” lower than your eyes when you are reading.
• Accent lighting adds drama to a room by creating visual interest. As part of an interior design scheme, it is used to draw attention to houseplants, artwork, sculptures and other treasured collections. To showcase a sculpture or artwork, use a small, bright lamp. You can add depth to a room by using smaller, low wattage light fixtures and lamps to reveal textured walls, luxurious window treatments, exotic plants and more. When combined with ambient and or task lighting, accent lighting can make the smallest rooms appear spacious and inviting.

After reading about colour and lighting, all the best in designing the house you dreamed of.