Find color and color combinations with the Benjamin Moore color tool. This guide helps you understand the basics of colour, how it will affect your interior and some tips to choosing the right colour palette for your space.

1. Color Guide Interior Design

Privacy Statement Dulux Australia is a division of DuluxGroup (Australia) Pty Limited (ACN 000 049 427) ('Dulux'). The terms 'we', 'us', 'our' refer to the company and any of our affiliated companies. Your privacy is important to us: Dulux will use the information you submit to administer your account and may disclose it to third parties for this purpose.

. Size up your room. Consider its shape and size. A lighter color can make a small room feel more spacious, while a darker color can help an immense room seem cozier.

Take architectural details into account. Think moulding, trim, columns, and brackets. What's attractive and what's not? Varied intensities and hues can complement architecture, furnishings, and art.

Try these can't-go-wrong color schemes in your home. Thanks to this handy guide, you'll be able to identify the right hue for any paint job. By Lauren Smith.

Remember, paint can accentuate a room's features or hide them. Factor in function. Will the main purpose of the room be eating, sleeping, working, entertaining, or something else entirely? A warm hue in the living room or family room creates a more comfortable and inviting atmosphere for guests than a cooler color.

Color Guide Interior Design

Before choosing your paint, think about where your room fits into the scheme of things. Where is it situated in relation to other rooms? Is it a high- or low-traffic area? What do you want to accentuate? The right finish makes a world of difference in the end result.

Flat paint is best suited for ceilings, areas where surface imperfections might be visible, and anywhere else that a muted low-reflecting surface is desired. Because it takes more effort to clean, a flat finish is ideal for the low-traffic areas of your home. Low-luster, satin, or eggshell. Use low-luster, satin, or eggshell paint on areas where you want a sheen. Easier to clean than flat paint, they’re great for high-traffic areas such as hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms, and playrooms. Semi-gloss or gloss. Go for semigloss for kitchens and bathrooms; choose gloss for banisters, railings, shelves, doorjambs, and windowsills.

Also, keep in mind that the higher the gloss, the more it emphasizes any surface imperfections. Water versus oil. When selecting an interior finish, try choosing a water-based enamel instead of an oil-based gloss paint.

Water-based gloss enamels have less odor than conventional oil-based paints, they're much easier to clean up, and they wear better over time. Don't cut corners on paint quality.

High-quality paint performs better for a longer period of time. It's less prone to yellow as it ages, goes on smoother, and won't leave brush marks. It's also easier to clean and is dirt resistant. Purchase sample sizes.

Paint a piece of scrap material such as cardboard, or even a portion of your wall, to see the effects of various light conditions. You need to know which type of paint you have before you start your project. Watch our DIY Basics video.