The reluctance to commit to colour choices is widespread and something many women struggle with when designing for themselves.
If you're just here for the tips, I don't blame you. They are pretty good. You can go directly to my tips here. However …
If like me you are curious about why we act the way we do, the next few short sections will shed some light on why we struggle to commit to our interior decor and the ONE genius step to conquer it, so you can be more confident in all you design choices, including choosing colour.
Also, I acknowledge there are two types of décor commitment-phoebes: 1. Those who can’t stick with a colour scheme and is therefore always changing it; 2. Those who can't choose a colour scheme and end up doing nothing or going safe.
Although both are common, I am mainly focussing on the latter in this blog.
Understanding where your commitment phobia stems from
There are 3 main reasons why we struggle to choose and commit to a colour scheme:
Fear (kinda obvious - it’s in the name)
Lack of Confidence
Decision Fatigue
Although these are very real, none of them are permanent and there are actionable strategies you can employ right now to reclaim control over these feelings.
Overcome Fear
Fear is the no 1 contributor when it comes to the reluctance to committing to your interior décor.
The fear can manifest in many ways: Fear of being judged. Fear of getting it “wrong”. Fear of being seen (what if I love it and everyone else hates it?).
The opposite to fear is feeling safe. But going safe with your design choices is how you got here in the first place, am I right? So how do you proceed?
Another way to start to feel safe is to take small steps at a time. There are many ways you can experiment with colour bit-by-bit (some I explore below).
BUT what if you can take a step towards trying something in a non-committal way? Read on…
Build Confidence
Even if you don’t consider yourself creative, you can build your creative confidence by building something small first - a proof of concept of sorts.
I have a whole section on cultivating your creative confidence in my Mood Board with Confidence Course. For now, understanding that a proof of concept for experimenting with colour allows you to build incrementally, learn with each step and in doing so, get better each time, which in turn builds your colour confidence.
It also removes any pressure as it is just a proof of concept.
Combat Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue is stated as the reason why Steve Jobs wore the same outfit every day.
Woman especially suffer from this, because by 10am, you have already made 100s of decision for yourself and others, from what your young toddler needs to wear to school to what marketing strategies you need to pursue next to grow your business. No wonder you can’t commit to a colour at 9pm when you finally get to sit down and scroll through the paint websites.
Some practical steps to combat decision fatigue include:
Making important decisions first (I’m not saying colour schemes are important. I’m just saying…)
Removing distractions and
Simplifying the options
Of course, you can just delegate the decision to someone else (like an interior designer), but I’d like to empower you to make design choices for your own home.
Address all 3 of these with this ONE step
Create a visualisation first.
A visualisation will allow you to see how different colours and patterns might look together in your space.
Seeing these combinations will allow you to:
Take a small step towards trying a new colour.
Give you the freedom to try things out – even the more out-there ideas – without fear.
Give you an opportunity to ‘see’ what it will look like, giving you the confidence that it will work.
Simplify the options by ruling out the ones that won’t work.
Clarify your vision so vividly that the decisions basically make themselves.
Visualisations can come in many forms from paint swatches that you collect from your local B&Q to digital vision boards you create in Canva to raiding your house and wardrobe and finding objects in the colours you want to try to see what they look like together.
And if you’re thinking: "I'd love to do that Riana, but some days I don't even have time to dress myself properly, never mind creating a visualisation", then let me do it for you. You can book my Visualisations Service today, specifically designed for this exact scenario.
Actionable steps for experimenting with colour in your home
1. Start with Temporary Textiles and Rugs
Instead of committing to painting walls, start by introducing colour through textiles that can be easily swapped out.
Go beyond just throw pillows and include items like curtains, rugs and bedspreads. And if that is still to much for you, try these:
Take a scarf in a colour you love and wrap an existing pillow in it - instant new throw pillow.
Take a colourful throw blanket and hang it on your wall, over a door or pin it to your existing curtains as a temporary 'treatment'.
You can also use a throw blanket to cover a couch or bed to see what it will look like, before you commit to any purchases.
These décor pieces can add a fair amount of colour without the permanence, allowing you to see how different shades affect the overall vibe of the room.
Swipe below to see how different this space looks with a different colour rug.
2. Use Colour Psychology to guide your choices
Before experimenting, research a bit on the psychology of colours.
Colours can have a universal influence on mood and energy levels. For example, blues and greens are calming, while reds and oranges are energizing.
Be sure to layer this with your own colour experiences and preferences for a truly unique and personal scheme.
By understanding how colours affect your emotions, you can make more informed decisions and reduce the number of choices that don’t align with the outcome that you want.
Quick Aside...
You will notice that I don't have ads or pop-ups on my site. This is intentional as I find pop-ups rude and annoying. How dare they.
Instead, I've opted for offering useful links to my applicable services throughout my blogs - only where it makes sense to.
I also have other design Services and Freebies and I've made the links available again at the end of this blog, so you can browse them at your leisure when you've finished reading.
You're welcome!
3. Play with Coloured Lighting
Coloured lighting is a fantastic way to play with colour without making any permanent changes.
Smart bulbs that allow you to change the hue can help you experience different colour schemes in your space. Use a smart bulb in an existing lamp – no need to kit out the whole room.
You can adjust the lighting depending on your mood or the time of day, providing a dynamic way to explore your colour preferences.
4. Incorporate Natural Elements
Bringing nature into your home is another way to experiment with colour.
Plants, flowers, and even fruit bowls can add vibrant, natural hues to your space. These elements are not only temporary but also bring life and freshness into your home.
5. Experiment with small Accent Pieces
Rather than committing to a large piece like a sofa, start with smaller, more affordable accent furniture pieces in bold colours.
Other items like side tables, stools, or even colourful lamps and lampshades can also introduce a pop of colour.
If you end up not liking the colour, these pieces are easier and less expensive to replace.
6. Add colour through Art
Consider using colourful wall art. These items can be easily added and removed, allowing you to test out different colour schemes on your walls without committing to paint.
You can even try creating your own art pieces, by using a scarf or other textiles as a hanging, which also adds a personal touch.
7. Play with Seasonal Décor
Embrace the seasons and incorporate seasonal décor. I love experimenting at Christmas with different colour palettes as I’d only have to live with it for a month at most.
Do you have a favourite traditional or cultural day where you’re from? Experiment with temporary décor and invite the celebration into your home.
Swipe below to see how I've experimented with colour at Christmas.
Experimenting is Empowering
By understanding the psychological barriers that cause our fear of commitment in colour choices, we can take actionable steps to overcome them.
Experimenting with colour doesn't have to be intimidating or permanent. Use the practical tips or create a digital visualisation of your ideas first and test them out.
Any way in which you can explore different shades and schemes in a way that feels safe and manageable, gradually building your confidence and empower you to create a space that you are proud to invite people into.
So, don’t be afraid to experiment—your perfect colour scheme is out there, just waiting for you to discover it.
My range of affordable design services are available now if you need help to create a home you can't wait to come home to. Book online today and I'll work with you to achieve your home décor goals.
And as promised, here is a reminder of the link to my Home Page with my Free Resources for you to browse and sign up to if something takes your fancy.
Any links provided throughout my blogs are NOT affiliated but based on my personal research and what I would use. The majority of images are from my projects, supplemented by personal inspiration and some AI-generated images.