Want to banish boring this year? Here's how to pick some great new colors for your home.

Ever stood in front of the giant wall of colors in Home Depot? That many choices can be overwhelming. The right shade of almost any color can be beautiful in the right setting. Here are a few tips for narrowing the field.

Take a Cue from Your Closet

What you love in your wardrobe may work on your walls. Wear a lot of blue? Consider various shades of blue for your space. If you love colorful accessories, bring those pops of color into your room design. If everything in your closet is black, other color-choosing methods make work better for you (DM me and I will give you my therapist’s number:).

Find a Clue in Nature

Greens, blues and neutrals are part of every natural landscape and are a great foundation for combining colors. Think tropical waters against a sandy beach or a colorful sunrise through lush trees No flower has ever clashed with its leaves!

What You Do Matters

How do you use the space you are painting?

Soft colors and neutrals are great for sleeping, reading and relaxing. Bold colors are great for busy spaces like kitchens and family rooms. Want an orange bedroom? Choose a softer variation, like coral.

Once you have settled on a color “family” (there are thousands of shades of blue but they are all related), pick no more than three shades to try out in your space. Never trust those little color cards! Buy sample sizes of your chosen shades and paint a good-sized swatch of each on your wall. Then, live with them for at least twenty-four hours to see how they work with the light and furnishings in your home.

Don't be afraid to experiment with color. It is the quickest, easiest tool for creating a space that truly reflects you.

Happy painting!