With the New Year comes many resolutions, goals and projects that we want to accomplish. Our family just purchased one of those older-style ranch home plans that have a beautiful brick exterior but an interior that leaves a little to be desired. It is our goal to fix it up and make it our dream home. The appliances are all new and stainless steel but every room in the house could use a fresh coat of paint to spruce things up. Right now every wall is a neutral color so basically we are starting with a clean slate. Before I just start purchasing gallons of paint I thought it would be interesting to see what the new colors for 2011 are the “must haves” when decorating.

I found out that turquoise was the color last year. This slightly greenish tone of cyan represents soothing comfort and calming effects. When I think of turquoise what comes to mind is the beautiful color of ocean water and it puts me in a happy frame of mind. Many nurses and doctors wear turquoise colored clothing – I suppose to have a calming effect on their patients. It is amazing how the design industry markets and sells colors, fabrics and textures based on the economy as a whole. In 2010 our economy took a big hit and we were in a healing state of mind so turquoise was the color choice. This is not true for this year’s color choice.

Drum roll please… the new color for 2011 is PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle. The color is a bright red-pink hue. It is not a healing hue, but one that screams, “Let’s pick up the pieces, get it together and move full-steam ahead”. It is a vibrant new color that will pick up the pace for 2011. The Pantone Color Institute is a company headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey, and they set the color standards for the home and fashion industries so that as items are produced the colors match. So whether Honeysuckle is used on the wall, on your placemats, or on your newest pair of shoes it all matches perfectly.

Since this is a fairly bold color it will add a lot of color quickly. Paint your foyer to boldly welcome your guests, paint a wall in your living room, dining room or kitchen to fire-up the mood. If it is too bold for your tastes simply accent your rooms with candles, throw pillows and placemats.  It is complementary to blues, greens, browns and oranges so adding a touch of honeysuckle will fit into your overall decorating scheme. I know it will mine. I can’t wait to get started. But I don’t think my family would appreciate the entire home in honeysuckle so I need to go digging a little deeper to see what other colors are popular and not too trendy.

There are many color mixes that range from subtle to vibrant and they all work well to create balance. Choose one main color and then choose two or three accent colors. Get ideas from books, magazines, website and your local lumber store.

Colors such as citrus yellow, pale jade, soft blue and light tan all combine to create a space that feels like home. They are comfortable colors and that splash of citrus yellow uplifts and accents.

Harvest colors create a full earthy spirit to your space and combines gold, brown, olive and pumpkin. This palette of color is relaxing yet succulent and great for the hearth room, den or library.

Wonderful kitchen colors include warm gold and caramel, apricot, cinnamon and light blue. They show off your kitchen and make it the heart of your home.

Bringing the outdoors in are the colors you see at your local market and include bright oranges, greens, browns and bold blues. They will brighten up any room and exude a feeling of excitement.

Quiet time colors are tints of pink, green, baby blue, and pale yellow. They will create a tranquil easy mood in the bedroom or sitting room.

Timeless colors that are both bold and rich are the vintage colors such as deep browns, burgundy, deep violets and greens. These instantly create an old world charm that is warming as well as elegant.

Great accent colors for adding a touch of color to any room include dark or light olive, navy or steel blue, rich red, turquoise, warm caramel and smoky violet. Any of these accent colors are the perfect complement to most color schemes.

So pick a color, any color and whether you own one of those regal Colonial home designs or a trendy Florida style stucco home it is important to choose colors that work well together so you can create the perfect harmony and balance. Regardless of what colors you choose for your home it is your home and you have to feel comfortable whether you are sleeping, eating, or relaxing so think about your choices and make them wisely.

For more great decorating ideas and color choices, visit the Resource Center at House Plans and More.