When selecting your color scheme, the easiest way to pull together a balanced attractive color scheme is to select a fabric with a design containing 3 main colors only. The fabric design house uses skilled designers who are experts in color coordination when the pattern is created.   This way you can use the fabric color scheme to plan your entire room.   Use the lightest colors for walls and floors.  Use contrasting colors as accents in artwork, flower arrangements, rugs, and pillows.  Remember "less is more"; use less colors, less accessories, and less pictures on the walls for a clean simple relaxing room. 

 

Remember to keep the size of the room in mind when selecting furniture.  Proportion is one of the most important mistakes people make when planning a room.  Often people select furniture that is much too large for a room.  Large scale furniture is best in rooms with high ceilings, large windows, and a spacious floor plan.  Sofas and chairs with 6-9 inch arms tend to be too large for most rooms.   Also dark furniture in contrast to the floor makes a room appear small.  Remember that each time you change colors, your eye stops and breaks up the room. 

Rooms that feel at peace are those with few contrasting colors, done in a monochrome (shades of the same color) color scheme.  Remember to keep the contrasting colors down when designing a child's room or area of study.  Sometimes a child may appear to be more hyperactive when the real cause is room colors in too high of an intensity with too much contrast of colors.  Put toys and books in cabinets with closed doors to reduce the high energy caused from too many colors in a small space. 
  

Contrasting colors in a room are dynamic and are best used in rooms with high activity such as; family rooms.  Be careful if you are using contrasting colors in the same room along with too many accessories because the occupants may feel more stress as the room will have more energy, just from all the stuff, not too mention the fact that too much stuff also accumulates dust.
   
When selecting your accessories, make sure their proportion is a match for the room size.  High ceilings can handle plants with large leaves, large vases, and larger proportion lamps.  Just as small rooms are best with smaller sized furniture and accessories.  End tables need to be the same height as the arm of the sofa or chair.  Lamp shades are best when the shade is at eye level when seated; around 42 inches off the floor.

I cannot say enough about reducing numerous kick-knacks that give a feeling of clutter in the room.  When selecting pictures keep your color scheme in mind and be sure to use fewer pictures, large in size to properly fill the wall space is best.  Often I find pictures that are hung too high.  When pictures are hung over a sofa, place a 30" X 36" picture only 8-10 inches above the furniture.  Dining room pictures are best hung lower so they can be viewed by dinner guests from eye level when seated around the table.  When grouping pictures, avoid the stair-step arrangement. 

A simple way to create your picture grouping is to lay out your pictures on the floor first, place the pictures close together; 2-3 inches apart.  When you space pictures in a grouping too far apart, it tends to distract the eye of the viewer from the overall grouping.  Consider the negative space between the pictures as part of the grouping.  Use a variety of shapes in your grouping to create more interest.  Don't be afraid to use objects mixed into the grouping other than photos, such as: achievement plaques, mirrors, clocks, or dried flower arrangements that can be changed to match the season. 

When selling a home, be sure to remove personal items such as family photos, religious statues, collectables, or any item that would limit the purchaser from seeing themselves living in your home.  Before placing your home on the market, be sure to remove anything that you value as the buyer may want to negotiate that item with the sale of the home. 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Pat Sendejas, award-winning Interior Designer and Feng Shui expert publishes the popular "Feng Shui 4 Balance" monthly ezine pack filled with information about the energy and vibrations referred to as "Qi" (Chi). This energy is in all living things and is experienced when we interact with our environments.  If you are ready to improve your life by changing your environment then get FREE tips now at www.fengshui4balance.com.