Trendy Wall Colours That Make A Small Space Feel Bigger For January 2020

Colour Stories

Trendy wall colours that make a small space feel bigger

Want to know about some fun colours that work for small spaces? And yes, by fun colours we mean some breezy shades from the colour wheel that have been tried and tested before. Interested? Keep reading.

A great home interior is all about acing the art of illusion and using the right design techniques. Wall colours play an important role in this visual trickery. The right paint on the walls can make a room look larger than it actually is.

In 2019, we heard a lot about Kon Mari, the Japanese art of de-cluttering from Marie Kondo. How about some hacks to visually expand a room? You don’t have to toil hard if you get the colours right on your home walls. Let’s get started!

Blue

The most reliable pick is a classic blue shade. It is known to expand the eye and create the illusion of added square footage. Interestingly, it is also the Pantone Colour of the Year 2020 so it is sure to play big in the interior design space in the coming months. Now who wouldn’t want to come back to a home that looks like paradise?

Yellow

A sun-kissed yellow instantly brightens up any room and has just the right kick! We are all aware that the energy of this gorgeous colour is activating. So just go ahead and add a generous splash of this shade on the walls to your teeny tiny abode and see magic happen!

Grey

A soft shade of grey can work wonders in any room. It introduces a sense of openness to a less-than- spacious living space, making it a smart choice for those who desire airy rooms.

Lavender

A pale shade of lavender works perfectly to create a statement and to also not overwhelm a room. It is great for those who cannot live without colour. It brings clarity to even the smallest of rooms and maximises it virtually.

We know that it is not an easy task to rise above this challenge of sprucing up small rooms but once you finalise on the shade of colour you want on your home walls, it is going to be a smooth process, we assure you. Instead of choosing wall colour shades just to make a room look bigger, a colour of your choice that represents your style can make a lot of difference. Don’t forget to add your personal touches to make the space more unique.

If you need professional help, we have got your back! Get in touch with Berger Paints India experts for colour guidance and a hassle-free home painting experience.

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For January 2020

1. Oranges are said to be a great source of Vitamin C. But did you know that this fruit has a unique way of tricking us with its colour? You cannot guess the ripeness of oranges by its colour, unlike most fruits. It can be green or orange but that doesn’t go on to show if the fruit is ripe or not. If an orange is left unpicked and stays on the tree until next seasons, its colour is likely to go from green to orange and green again. And that is not the most surprising part. The quality and flavour of the fruit will remain unchanged. Surprised?
2. Impossible or forbidden colours are the ones your eyes cannot see. In colour theory, the reason you cannot see or perceive certain colours is because of the opponent process. To explain this, the human eye has three types of cone cells that register colour and work in an antagonistic fashion, viz. blue versus yellow, red versus green, light versus dark. There is an overlap between the wavelengths of light covered by the cone cells, so you see more than just yellow, blue, green and red. Because of the opponent process, your eyes can’t see both blue and yellow at the same time or red and green at the same time. The combinations of these colours is called impossible or forbidden colours.

Colour Quotes For January 2020

• "I decided I would fill the emptiness in me with God and with paint."

  - Kimberly Novosel

• "I did not know how to paint or even what to paint, but I knew I had to begin."

  - Margaret Atwood

• "The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts."

  - Marcus Aurelius

Colour Tips For January 2020

1. For interior paint ideas for the living room, it is a good idea to begin by deciding the colours that are most likely to give you a good night’s sleep. In the science of colour theory, blue, dusty rose, lavender or grey are great colour choices to create a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom. If you are yearning for a luxurious look, try matching these colours with a metallic accent wall. If you are most comfortable in nature, try the colours of the forest in your bedroom. This way, you can incorporate an expression of you in your bedroom.
2. One of the easiest ways to choose the perfect paint colours for your home is, to begin with the colours you love. Next, for home colour ideas look for inspiration in magazines and catalogues to incorporate your favourite colour in your décor. Social media sites like Pinterest and Instagram can also offer colour inspiration that is real-time and trendy. Once you have an idea of how you want to incorporate your favourite colour, use colour theory and learn the basics so you can create the perfect colour palette for your home interiors. You can also use Berger Colour Catalogue or online tools to generate colour schemes quickly for paint ideas.
3. The type of paint you choose for your home paint is just as important as the colour since it has a major impact on the kind of look you want to create. Most of the paints available in the market today are water-based since it has low VOCs, is quick drying and long lasting and can be used on almost all surfaces. Oil-based paints are preferred by some people for their high durability and rich finish. However, it emits strong fumes and the paint cannot be washed by water. For finishes, you can choose from matte, satin, semi-gloss and gloss paints, depending on the look you want to create for the home walls. You can also mix different finishes to create a striking, textured look.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For January 2020

1. Studies have shown that some colours can have a powerful effect on performance. No one likes to see an exam paper covered in red ink, but one study found that seeing the colour red before taking an exam can actually hurt test performance. While the colour red is often described as arousing, exciting or threatening, many previous studies on the impact of the colour red have been mostly inconclusive. However, a study found that exposing students to the colour red before an exam has been shown to have a negative impact on test performance.
2. Blue is a colour of trust. It inspires security and safety. You can use the colour blue to promote products and services that are associated with cleanliness such as cleaning liquids, vodka, water purification filters, air conditioners and mineral water. As opposed to emotionally warm colors such as yellow, orange and red, blue is linked to intellect and consciousness. Make use of blue to suggest precision when promoting high-tech products.

Colours & Fashion For January 2020

Pantone has released the 2020 Colour of the Year and it is Classic Blue. Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility. It is also the colour of royalty. It is a colour evocative of the vast ocean and the infinite evening sky. You can make a stunning statement with this classic colour shade of blue on the walls of your room. Classic Blue also injects elegance to home interiors, transforming the space in a jiffy. You can create a bold and stunning impact with blue nails or blue eye makeup, ranging from glittery and glam to dusty matte.

Colours & Gems For January 2020

1. Indicolite tourmaline

   The gemstone you are looking at is known as Indicolite tourmaline. It gets its colour due to the presence of iron in it. It can vary in shades of colours from a light to a deep blue. Like most tourmalines, it is strongly pleochroic, meaning it shows different hues when looked at from different angles. Poorly cut gemstones can lead to loss of brilliance and transparency, particularly in darker specimens. It is a highly popular gemstone as it is believed to be a powerful third eye chakra crystal as well as a potent throat chakra stone that helps with communication abilities. Fascinating to know what a gemstone is capable of, isn’t it?

2. London blue topaz

   Doesn’t the gemstone look stunning? This shining beauty is called the London blue topaz gemstone, which is a medium to dark grayish blue. It is also sometimes described as “inky” or "steely" owing to its colour. Many London blue topaz gemstones have a slightly greenish tone when viewed from certain angles. It is typically produced when exposed to radiation inside a nuclear reactor. What happens inside the reactor is that the topaz gets exposed to fast neutrons and the radiation changes the colour centers producing the deep blue colour. Material treated in this way is likely to be radioactive and may need many months of storage before the radioactivity decays to safe levels. There are very strict rules in place to protect not only consumers but also the cutters and gem dealers who handle these gems daily.

Colours & Nature For January 2020

1. Anna’s hummingbird
   Don’t we all love birdwatching and spotting exotic birds on trees? The bird that has caught our fancy this time is Anna’s hummingbird. Take a look at the picture of this bird. It is a medium-sized bird with mostly green and grey body. The male's head and throat are covered in iridescent reddish-pink feathers that work as a lovely colour combination. They can also appear a dull brown or grey in case of no direct sunlight. In an extremely thrilling courtship display, the males fly 130 feet into the air and then swoop towards the ground with an interesting burst of noise produced through their tail feathers.
2. Flower hat jellyfish
   How about some ocean tour? Let us stop and appreciate the hypnotic beauty of this ocean creature. What you are looking at is called the flower hat jellyfish that floats serenely in the waters in the Earth’s ocean. It gets its name from its brilliant, multi coloured tentacles that trail from a translucent and pinstriped bell. In fact, this jellyfish species is extremely colourful and is a native to a small area in the Western Pacific Ocean, just off the coast of Japan in Asia. The tentacles are also present around the rim of the bell so it can quickly coil and uncoil. Fascinating, don’t you think?

Décor

Living Room Colour Schemes You Can’t Go Wrong With

Planning to spruce up your living room? Read to know which colours schemes are trendy.

Colours have an interesting way to lift your mood. If you can choose a colour that reflects your personality whilst lifting your mood, why not choose a colour scheme that is just right for you? While it is true that neutral colour scheme provides a blank canvas, different colours can help to create a calming or uplifting atmosphere.

If you are looking for a house revamp or new living room colour, have a look at these colour schemes that will go a long way to reflect your personality:

Pack a punch with metallic tones

Metallic colours like gold, silver, rose gold, chrome etc. work well for a vibrant, accent wall. You can balance them with black, white or grey to create a successful colour scheme. Accent walls in metallic colours are a great way to make any room glisten with serious glam factor. For painting your walls in metallic tones, you can explore Berger Silk Illusions Design Metallica range for the perfect colour to paint your walls.

Add terracotta accents to warm up a boring neutral palette

If a neutral colour palette is boring for you, you can incorporate an interesting element with the slightest bit of this burnt orange warm shade. Even a large velvety cushion or table lamp in the colour tone can help break a monotone palette and create a coherent colour scheme that can be upgraded for changing seasons.

Experiment with colours

To experiment with colours, there is a foolproof method that you cannot go wrong with. Just use a colour wheel and find shades that work well together. Bright and dark shades can work well together when properly combined to create a well-balanced look.

Pattern play

Incorporating different patterns in a living room using a mix of cushions, rug or furniture in pretty shades can help create understated room décor. Go for prints like Aztec, striped, polka dots, floral etc. in pastel and bright hues for a combination that is a fine balance of beautiful and bold.

These Are The Colours That Will Trend In 2020

Thinking which colours in interior design will rule the roost this year? Keep reading.

With a new year, the world of interior design and décor is about to see a host of new colour trends. Colours have the power to transform a room, whether it is a bold accent wall or some pattern play with textiles. But picking the right colours for the space can be tricky sometimes. To help you out, we have put together a list of popular colours that will dominate the interior décor world in 2020. From moody metallic hues to elegant neutrals, there is a hue for everyone in here:

Calming, nature-inspired palette

One of the biggest home décor trends for 2020 is all about finding calm within the chaos. Colours like blues and greens that are inspired by the outdoors evoke a sense of peace, calm and serenity. In a tech-focused world, they act like a great refresher bringing us closer to elements of nature. In interior design, these colours can be incorporated into any space easily, be it on the walls of the home, textiles, décor pieces or even furniture.

Metallic and jewel tones

This year, we’ll start seeing a décor trend towards bolder, deeper, metallic colours, accented with a touch of opulence. Interior designers and home owners alike will embrace this hue, not just this year but in the coming decade. From deep metallic gold and rose gold to classics like jewel tone palette – it is time to take more colour risks for our home colour palette.

Contrasting white and black

High contrast white and black can be a classy, dynamic-duo. To add a bit of drama and class at the same time, you cannot go wrong with this palette. The response to these colours is immediate and the look remains timeless year-after-year making it a safe colour combination choice that will note date with passing years.

Changing the colour of your home walls is a great way to create a new look and feel in your room. Explore colour combinations from Berger Paints to introduce some colour to your space in the New Year.

6 Lessons In Colour To Decorate Your Living Space

Decorate your living space with six lessons in colour. Read on to know all about it.

Want to learn some colour lessons to deck up your home? We asked some of the best interior designers to spill some design tricks and tips for all you readers out there. Start reading!

Lesson No. 1

Think in colour families

The colour you paint your walls can have a dramatic effect on the value of your home. Get the colour wrong in a room and you will have to live with it every time you enter the room; get it right and will just love spending time in that room. Whenever sprucing up your home, work with different hues within two complementary colour families.

Lesson No. 2

Blue & white combination always works

It is a good idea to use classic combinations like blue and white as it never goes out of style. Timeless combinations used in home interiors can always we dressed up or down according to your tastes and likings. The combination also exudes warmth and class to the entire living space, making it an ideal choice.

Lesson No. 3

Choose a palette and repeat

Use a streamlined colour that makes the space feel cohesive and transitions seamless between rooms, be it living room, dining room or bedroom. One of the biggest mistakes people make when painting their homes is not taking into account adjacent rooms and how the room works as a whole. The colours in your home must have a cohesive palette and should complement each other. When you are in your living room and you are able to see all the other rooms at one go, it is always pleasing to see the same family of colours repeated but in different ways in each room.

Lesson No. 4

Play with percentages

A clever way to deck up a room is by using a small group of colours that was earlier used as accent colours as the foreground.

Lesson No. 5

Use white to freshen things up

White is a versatile shade that looks effortlessly elegant no matter which room you use it in. Incorporate white furniture for a contemporary feel in your living space. You can use this colour for master bedroom, living room or kitchen for a sophisticated look.

Lesson No. 6

Use colour and pattern wisely

When incorporating a striking pattern in a room, it is best to tone down the colour for a calmer and less chaotic effect and vice versa.

Now that you are aware of these design tricks, how about implementing them in your future home upgrades?

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For January 2020

Wish to attract positive energy and enhance your love life this year? Keep reading to know more.

Attracting love with the power of Feng Shui!

We believe that everyone deserves happiness and love in their lives. Countless books have been written and ‘gyaan’ has been doled out about love tips but if those haven’t really worked for you in the past, how about experiencing the power of Feng Shui for love?

As we enter a new decade in a few days, how about improving love life or marriage prospects with the help of Feng Shui? We have compiled some easy Feng Shui tips that can attract positive energy and enhance your love life this year. Happy Reading!

1. To begin with, let’s talk about home interior ideas. Start with your bedroom. De-clutter the room and get rid of unwanted objects. If your bedroom is not organised and clean, the energy flow is going to be slow and weak. You need to put everything in order to bring all the positive things in your love life. Clap your hands or use a bell to get rid of stuck energy from the room.

2. Display Mandarin ducks in your home. If you want a love life full of happiness and luck, keep the Mandarin ducks in the south-west side of the bedroom as it is believed to attract positive energy in your romantic life.

3. Remove objects that remind you of failed relationships, especially from the bedroom. Keep away pictures, letters or other physical reminders of a relationship that ended on a bitter note, no matter how nostalgic or romantic you are.

Remove any images that have negative representations and objects that affect your life negatively. Discard photos, sculptures and paintings that represent loneliness, sadness, war, fight or negative scenarios. These can bring negative energies and create a tense atmosphere in your love life so it is best avoided.

4. Make sure that your main door can be easily and completely opened, without creaking or getting blocked in the things placed behind it. Allow energy to flow freely and to intensify your love life.

5. Make your intentions clear. Create a collage using images that represents your idea of romance and harmony. Keep it someplace where you can see it daily. If you are already involved in a relationship, ask your significant other (SO) to help you make the collage – it will express your intention of building a bright and happy future together.

Here’s wishing you a New Year filled with love and romance!

Reiki For January 2020

New Year means new resolutions. Read on to know some Reiki resolutions you can make this year.

Reiki Resolutions for 2020!

The New Year means new resolutions. What better way to kick start the year than to make a list of uplifting things you will do in the coming months? Read on to check our specially -curated list of Reiki resolutions that you can follow in 2020.

1. If you are interested in Reiki and you don’t know how to practice it, you should enroll into a Reiki class.

2. Just joining the Reiki class does not help. It is always important to review and reflect what you have learnt in the Reiki class. Go through your notes and brush up on what you already know.

3. How about you make a promise to yourself that you will give Reiki at the homeof your loved ones too? You can help family, friends and pets this way using Reiki and make them lead a healthier life with regular sessions.

4. Practice meditation. It is known to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve immunity.

5. Consume healthier foods. Good nutrition and Reiki work hand in hand. Hawayo Takata, the woman responsible for introducing the spiritual practice of Reiki to the Western World has always combined nutritional principles with Reiki. Make sure to be mindful of what you eat.

6. If you already know Reiki, it is a good idea to improve your Reiki skills. Select a Reiki skill that needs improvement, for instance the scanning technique. Improve your skill by practicing it regularly.

7. Make Reiki a part of your spiritual path. Reiki is not just for giving table sessions but actually a way of life.

8. Use the Reiki skills you have acquired into other areas of your life. There are many creative ways to use Reiki. You could give Reiki to your food before eating or even before drinking water.Reiki has many applications and can be applied to any area of your life for good health, happiness andharmony.

9. Learn to share your Reiki experiences with others and encourage them to learn it and take charge of their life.

Hope you can stick to these resolutions and create new and lasting memories for you, your loved ones and your whole community. Continue to grow stronger physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually with the power of Reiki in 2020.

All the best!

Vaastu For January 2020

As we enter 2020, how about some Vaastu tips to usher in the New Year and improve your personal and professional lives?

Vaastu for 2020!

1. If you want to make your New Year resolutions a reality in 2020, Vaastu could be the answer! Pen down all your dreams and desires for the year in green ink on a piece of white paper. Place the paper inside a wish pyramid and keep the pyramid in the north of your home or workstation. It is believed that the positive energy exuding from the pyramid will help turn your resolutions into reality.

2. If you run a business and wish to retain all your customers, prepare a summary of business tasks with all customers in the form of a hard copy and keep it in the south-west direction of your workplace. It will definitely help you retain all your customers.

3. Cleansing is vital when it comes to the energy flow in a living space. Remove all unwanted clutter from the house and workplace at regular intervals to allow positive energy to flow freely.

4. Cut down on unnecessary expenditure and improve cash flow with the help of the colour orange. Place it in the south-east direction of your home and workplace.

5. Shift the puja room in the north-east region of your home to unblock long-pending problems or issues.

6. If you are married, place your wedding photo in the west of your home. This is believed to promote love, happiness and harmony between couples. For complete bonding among all family members, place a family photo in south-west direction of the house.

7. If you have a child and are worried about your child’s academic performance, cleanse your house with special focus on the north-east region and west of south west region.

8. If you find it difficult to make decisions, it is important to check and clean the north-east side of your home.

9. Life can get stressful, what with office deadlines, examinations and daily commute. Leave your work day stress outside the front door of your house. Implement some home painting ideas according to Vaastu. Create an entrance that engages your senses. Make use of beautiful art, lovely wall colours and calming music for a soothing ambiance.

10. You don’t have to make any structural changes to your home to eliminate negativity. Keep these points in mind in the year 2020 for a happy and fulfilling experience.