I recently flipped through some old Better Homes & Gardens issues and rediscovered one of my favorite quote roundups from a February edition: a short piece about choosing, using, and loving color. Paint is basically my go-to, so it’s no surprise I had earmarked the page and circled a few favorites. I thought I’d share the best points from that spread—short, useful nuggets that say in a sentence or two what we often try to explain in long posts.
Below are BHG’s color tips that still resonate, with a few practical YHL side notes added where helpful:
1. “When you’ve found the right color on a paint card, go a step lighter. Colors look darker on the wall. The lightest two colors on a card deliver more punch than you expect. Unless you’re after drama, stick with them.”
*YHL note: For many saturated hues—blues, greens, reds, pinks, yellows—this is sound advice. Neutrals like gray and brown can often handle deeper values without becoming overpowering, so use judgment depending on the color family.
2. “Using different shades of color—such as various blues—is an easy way to pull a room together. To prevent monotony, vary the textures (play suede against silk) and add a pop of a different color in a pillow, throw, or vase.”
*YHL note: A colorful rug or a non-white lampshade is another fast way to enliven a space.
3. “Follow the rule of three. When you pick a color, use it at least three times in a room.”
*YHL note: This is a helpful beginner’s guideline for creating balance, though it can certainly be broken for a bold, intentional single accent when the rest of the room remains calm and cohesive.
4. “Think of hallways as palate cleansers—the sorbet served before diving into the next course. Keeping them neutral allows you to branch into any color in rooms that flow off them.”
*YHL note: A neutral hallway unifies varied rooms and feels calm. That said, bold entryways and corridors can make a dramatic, memorable statement if you prefer high impact.
5. “Look in your closet. You are your own best inspiration for color.”
*YHL note: This works well for many people. If your wardrobe is mostly one color, check accessories—jewelry, shoes, scarves—to discover hues you’re naturally drawn to.
6. “Don’t sweat slight color variations between fabrics and walls. The best rooms are slightly off—stronger, lighter, softer—but not an exact match to a swatch.”
*YHL note: Perfect matches can feel flat. Slight differences add texture, depth, and sophistication to a room.
7. “When you’re spreading color around a room, think about proportion. If you’re using three colors, try a 70/20/10 distribution. For two colors, go 70/30.”
*YHL note: These ratios are useful as starting points. For instance, neutrals can occupy about 70% of the room, a secondary color about 20%, and a small accent color around 10% in accessories, art, or a single furniture piece.
8. “The back of a fabric, curtain, comforter, or area rug is sometimes more interesting—and toned down—than the front. If no telltale signs like hems will show, go ahead and flip it. Designers do it and so can you.”
*YHL note: Turning a fabric inside out can reveal a subtler pattern or color that better suits your scheme. It’s an easy, inexpensive tweak.
9. “Get out the digital camera. It’s amazing how a photo can point out problem spots. Add some colorful accessories, take a photo, and compare.”
*YHL note: Photographs can reveal balance, scale, and proportion issues you might miss in person. Use them to evaluate and tweak your room.
10. “In a small room, keep the walls the same color as the primary upholstered furniture. The room will seem twice the size.”
*YHL note: Exact matches aren’t required—a shade lighter or darker will still create a visually expanded, calm effect.
11. “The era of the bright white ceiling is over. Paint the ceiling a shade lighter than the walls to visually raise it and avoid a jarring start-stop. Go a shade darker to bring it down and add coziness.”
*YHL note: Painting ceilings in coordinating tones softens the room’s fifth wall and can make spaces feel taller or cozier depending on the value chosen.
12. “Paint is the least expensive mistake you can make. Be brave. The worst-case scenario is that you’ll have to repaint.”
*YHL note: Paint is forgiving and inexpensive relative to other design changes. Don’t be afraid to try it.
13. “To tell if a color has a pinkish, grayish, or greenish cast, look at similar swatches side by side. It’s all about comparison.”
*YHL note: Comparing swatches in different lighting throughout the day helps you avoid unwanted undertones and choose a tone that behaves well in your space.
14. “Think of neutrals as peacemakers. They can help colors get along.”
*YHL note: Neutrals aren’t limited to beige and gray. Muted blues, khaki-greens, and muddy tones can function as neutral backdrops that unify brighter accents.
15. “Wallpaper or paint the inside of a bookcase to set off what’s displayed. Use yellow wallpaper in a white built-in and wrap the same paper around lamp shades.”
*YHL note: Painting or papering the interior of a closet, bookcase, or cabinet highlights what’s inside and adds a thoughtful pop of contrast.
There you have a compact collection of practical color advice to help you refresh or refine your home. Which of these tips feel most useful to you? Do you have a favorite color trick of your own to share?