How to Mix and Match Fall Colors

A lot of homeowners are scared to mix and match different colors when decorating their homes. Depending on the season, it can be a bit intimidating for some to decorate and show the true colors of the season. Oftentimes, they go the safe route and decorate in neutral colors. Luckily, fall season is one of the easiest to decorate when it comes to mixing and matching colors. The fall season's colors are easy to work with, such as splashes of oranges, deep yellows, dark greens, reds and browns--all courtesy of mother nature.

Things You'll Need

• Color chart or color wheel
• Paint (earthen colors)
• Fabrics (mostly textured)
• Area rugs
• Throws
• Throw pillows
• Artwork
• Accessories
• Lighting

Instructions

1. 

   Take a nature walk and observe the things around you. Maple trees are best for inspiration. Notice different shades of maple leaves as they get ready for the coming frost. Get your inspiration from nature's palette during this season by taking pictures and then using them as your guide.

2. 

   Use a color wheel or chart as your guide if you are not sure where to start. Fall colors are earthy and darker compared to the brightness of spring and summer colors. To find a complementary color on the color wheel, look for a particular color and the color opposite to it. For example, red-orange is opposite blue-green, so you can use both of them together as complementary colors. To find a matching color, look at the color to the right of the color you choose. An example of matching colors is red and red-orange.

3. 

   Choose earth colors when choosing a color for your wall and accessories. Brown, dark orange, maroon or dark red, deep purple and deep forest green are popular fall colors. Then look at the different shades of each color to use in your room. The darker shades of each color are best for the fall season mimicking the colors you see in autumn outdoors. For example, you see the green leaves turning into yellow, amber, orange, red then brown during the fall.

4. 

   Pick out three colors that can blend well to use in your room. For example, a chocolate brown color can be used as an accent color on the wall, leaving the other three sides of the wall in taupe color. Put a painting on that accent wall that has deep red, yellow ochre and deep orange. These colors would pop out against the brown.

5. 

   Mix and match the colors when choosing fabric for your home. For example, a chocolate brown curtain can go with maroon, red-orange or deep purple throw pillows. Then, drape a lavender-colored throw over a dark red sofa. You can choose a fabric with patterns that are colored in fall colors. Use an area rug to anchor the room, ensure that the color of the patterns on your area rug are the same colors you use anywhere else in the room.

6. 

   Use a lot of texture if you want to use one color scheme. This way your room will have some depth and interest to it. For example, if you want to stay with the cream and tan colors and you would rather not use any other color in the room, you can use textured fabrics and materials to give them more character. A burlap fabric can be chosen as a table runner or curtain material, or use rattan for your furnishings and other accessories. For a centerpiece, you can use a bunch of dried wheat grass tied up tightly with a burlap string.

7. 

   Add the accessories with colors that can go with the overall color scheme used in your home. For example, a series of framed dried maple leafs can be placed on your wall to compliment your room. Create a flower arrangement using dried branches from maple trees with some leaves still attached to them to depict the color of fall. Create a fruit centerpiece using a fall-colored bowl or cornucopia, then place apples (red and green ones), grapes and orange fruits. Avoid using things made of shiny and sparkly materials.

8. 

   Add lighting to your room. A lamp with a dark brown or dark red shade with a dark green base would look good for fall. Also a grouping of candles in dark green, dark red, dark orange and brown can be placed on your fireplace mantle or a sofa table next to a group of family photos. You may also want to update your ceiling fixtures using hand-blown glass with colors inspired by fall.

Tips & Warnings

• Gold metallic paint is a great accent color for the fall season.

• Do not leave candles that are lit unattended.