Whenever I meet a prospective client for the first time invariably they want to get started by painting the room a fresh new color. I understand the impulse – it is quick, dramatic and relatively inexpensive. In fact, color, in the form of paint, is one of the very last decisions to be made. The reason for this is that color is available in an almost infinite variety, but each of the other elements comes in a relatively limited variety. There are not THAT many carpets that you like, that work functionally, that are in budget , etc. etc.
One of the most important decisions to be made with color is where it changes. Will the wall be the same color as the ceiling? Will there be an accent wall? Does the ceiling match the moulding color?
-MICHAEL M. MERRILL ASID, NKBA, CID
Michael Merrill Design Blog 