Purple is a rich, sometimes regally beautiful color that can add grace and sophistication to any space. However, it ranges over a wide expanse of hues, some with red undertones and other with blue. And because it can range from neon raspberry to regal amethyst, it can be a difficult color to work with. For many people, purple spells “decorating disaster”, but in reality it can be a very tranquil and serene color. If you’d like to try something a little off the beaten path in your master bedroom, try purple. But pay heed to the following tips so that your decorating risk will have a rewarding outcome.

Accessorize with Purple
Rather than bathe the room in purple, try it in accents like wall art, bedding, window treatments, throw pillows and accessories. Contrasted against a neutral shade, like pale gray and white, a shade of purple, such as lavender, can have a very stately effect. For a more dramatic look, try deep purple and other jewel tones against a pastel or warm neutral backdrop.

Understand Undertones
Be wary when mixing shades of purple: Some shades can have very strong red undertones, while others are distinctly blue. Mixing the two can have disastrous chaotic results on the aura of your room, which is the last thing you want, especially in a bedroom. For best results, use only one shade of purple or mix shades with the same undertones; i.e., if you don’t understand undertones, choose only one shade of purple.

Harmonize the Walls
If you find two shades of purple that work well together, you can combine them to create a distinctive look on the walls. As a help, most paint stores carry color cards that display three or four harmonious color combinations. Choose a card that contains two shades of purple: Add a chair rail to the room and paint the lower half of the walls in the darker shade of purple. Use blue painter’s tape to paint vertical stripes of the lighter shade and another light color from the combo, like ivory, above the chair rail. This will give your room a very chic coordinated look, especially if you use the ivory or light neutral shade in accents like wall shelves, wall art, lamps, furniture and accessories.

Getting Help and Choosing the Right Purple
If you feel a little overwhelmed by the thought of decorating with purple, talk to the professionals in the paint department of your favorite hardware or home improvement store; they’ll be happy to guide you. Also, check out magazines, interior design books and Internet sites for decor ideas that you can adapt to your room and style. Lastly, when you’ve narrowed down your choices to one or two, paint a square of each color on the wall of your bedroom and observe how the color looks at different times of day, under artificial and natural light, before making a final decision. This will keep you from choosing a purple that looks great in the store but not so great on your walls.

Author Bio: Learn more about decorating with tuscan italian metal artwork and western metal wall hangings from our exclusive designer and staff writer, Alyssa Davis, of Metal-Wall-Art.com.

Category: Home Management
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