More not always merrier

Instead of making a mishmash of colours, A Dyuti suggests you opt for the charm of a monochrome colour scheme to lend a look of sophistication to your abode.

Planning to lend a subtle touch to your living room? Yearning for a more calming effect in your bedroom? Want a vibrant dining room? The answer lies in one decor idea — monochromatic colour scheme! Despite the monotony the name implies, this colour scheme is, in fact, not a dull and boring treatment for your home.  In fact, when tastefully done and artfully conjured up, the monochromatic colour scheme can create a mesmerising living space.

But first, let’s get a better understanding of what exactly a monochromatic scheme entails. These are all the colours (tints, tones, and shades) of a single hue. And it is not just limited to the traditional black and white; it also applies to colours like blue and green. This particularly proves to be helpful today, given the many colour choices we have at our disposal. With a monochromatic colour scheme, we can eliminate any dilemma we may have with colour choices.

A monochromatic colour scheme, however, doesn’t imply that the whole room — from the wall colour to its furniture and accessories — is to be painted in a single colour without any variation of lighter or darker shades. At the same time, one also need not use a colour at its full chroma for this design variation. For instance, instead of using red at its full intensity all over the room, any one tone of red could be picked. This could still prove to be garish and overwhelming for some! However, monotone schemes don’t always end up with an unappealing ambience at home.

In fact, it is one of the best ways to get a great colour combination at home without having to think too hard about it. Imagine, for example, a bedroom made up of pastel green. How soothing would that be? Or how about a dining room with a golden brown monotone? This would look exquisite, wouldn’t it?

Besides, there is no hard and fast rule for a single colour with no allowance for variation in tints and shades. While only a single colour is chosen, visual interest is heightened by using it with different amounts of white (tint) or black (shade) added to it. It can also be saturated (brightened) or desaturated (by adding grey).

You could also achieve a muted look in the room by using red in this colour scheme. Take the bathroom, for instance. You can consider using lighter tints for the wall colour and if you are considering a bathtub, you can use various shades of pink. Different tones of grey could be added to the towels, mats and shelves. Ditto with orange for the dining room, where peach can predominate and be enlivened with brighter shades, or mellowed down with greyer tones. A bedroom splashed with numerous variations of grey accompanied by white can look sophisticated.

Harmonious tones

Monochromatic colours can easily create a harmonious look for your interiors. It can, in fact, tie up all the room’s elements — furniture, lights and the furnishing — quite well. By using a range of tones, hues and tints of the same shade, you would be able create a unique look for your room. The options are many and can be used differently in each room. However, the colours and the shades used depend on the space you would be using it for.

Warm monochromatic schemes are energetic and vibrant, while the cool hues are calm and peaceful. A monochromatic colour scheme that uses soothing combinations of various tints, tones and shades of blue is recommended for the bedroom owing to its calming effect. So also, lighter greens embellished with darker shades for accessories. Paint the ceiling with a lighter tint. For the bathroom, this scheme is selected when a spa-like finish is desired.

A tranquil monochrome scheme is often employed for the home office where it can offset work stress. Though kids’ rooms are usually multi-coloured, a sober monochrome scheme helps if your kids are boisterous and require some calming down!

It’s best recommended for the living room when an elaborate artwork forms the accent piece. This enables the art piece to be the centre of attraction and glow to its full potential. This scheme also serves to create an illusion of space in smaller rooms. But, tread with care here.

Dark colours used in profusion can make a small room look dingy. So, use it where natural light is abundant and dilute the dull effect with lighter coloured accessories, floor coverings and furniture. Additionally, consider painting the ceiling white.

Further variation can also be created with the help of neutrals dotting the design plan. And neutrals needn’t always mean beige, white or black, though these will ably serve the purpose. Cream, off-white, tan and grey can immensely shatter the monotony.

If you want to experiment with bold colours further, go for warm gold! Throw in accent pieces, accessories, rugs, cushions, pillows, upholstery fabric and draperies in these colours. Alternately, prints in black or white along with the main colour can also be used for the upholstery, curtains and pillows.

More spice can be added to the space by using wood around the room — say, in items such as shelves and panels among others. Also, minimalist metal chairs in a dining room can break the blandness. Baskets in various colours and plants are other ways of creating areas of interest. Using different textures can also lend a touch of variety. You can consider using satin, velvet,
embossing or embroidery for upholstery, pillows and cushions, rugs and windows. Different types of floors, metallic surfaces, gold or silver-coloured trims to contrast your base colour can work wonders, too. Mirrors, leather and glass can also be deftly deployed to rev up the charm of monotone.

But, remember one basic rule for the scheme — choose a base colour that you love; not just something that’s trending now. Or else, you may end up with a space that doesn’t really appeal to you.