New Home Universal Design - Color Basics
How To Select Colors for a Universal Design Home
As part of the 50+ Housing Council in Raleigh, one of the things new home builders look forward to is sharing great Universal Design home ideas.
It may seem obvious, but the right color selections for your new home can make your home more livable and more enjoyable.
Color - Universal Design Ideas
Color can set a mood, define the details of a room, and even affect mental health and appetites.
One of the easiest ways to brighten a home is to add color to the walls or even the floors, countertops, and cabinets.
- for a peaceful bath, use color sparingly.
- Cool colors such as blue can add calm and serenity
- "Nature" colors like green or beige can work well with just about any color scheme
- Warm colors can energy you and help you wake up (yellow and orange)
Contrast - Universal Design Ideas
Contrast can help everyone "see" better.
- select wall colors that contrast with fixtures, countertops, and grab bars to make seeing those items easier
- items on the countertop can be easier to see when walls and countertops are distinctive colors
- chair rail trimwork in bright white can contrast with darker walls, drawing more attention to the outlines of a room.
- consider using colors on the opposite sides of the color wheel for additional contrast
Color in the Kitchen - Universal Design Ideas
Use of color in the kitchen can be especially helpful in a universal design home. Consider doing some of the following:
- countertops, flooring, cabinets, and walls all in contrasting colors, to help users better see transitions.
- consider a contrasting color strip at the edge of the kitchen counter, such as a wood edge, to better define the countertop surface.
The smart use of color and contrast can not only make your new universal design home beautiful, it can also make it more livable and easy to use over a lifetime.
Talk to an interior designer with universal design experience about more ideas for your new universal design home!
You might also be interested in these related Raleigh Universal Design and Aging in Place articles:
Accessible Homes - Design and Features
What is Universal Design? Easy Living Homes
Specially Adapted Housing - Grants for Veterans
Building a Home with the VA's Specially Adapted Housing Program
Mother In Law Suite Homes - Floor Plans and Ideas
Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes
"Stanton Homes for Heroes" Military Discounts
Comments(4)