Dare to go bright! Check out these Home magazine hue tips for show stopping results:

• Take a test drive: If you’re working with paint, buy a small amount of color and apply it to the wall – a 2- by 3-foot patch is optimal. It’s guaranteed to look different at different times of the day.

• Find inspiration in the everyday: Pull out a vibrant shade from a patterned carpet, a favorite painting, or a plaid sofa, and then apply it in large doses around the room. If you splash the color on the wall, frame it with a crisp white woodwork for a more dramatic effect.

• Red: Red is a real attention-getter. It’s almost impossible to ignore and should be used accordingly. If you want to direct the eye to something – a chair, a table, or a pillow – it’s the perfect choice.

• Blue: A favorite color because it flatters nearly everyone’s looks and has a calming influence. Blue and white is a great, classic combination.

• Green: Green is a hue constantly seen in nature that you can use with any color, just be daring enough to try different shades.

• Purple: Try using a cool purple with complementary yellow accents to keep a room from becoming too visually heavy.

• Yellow: Wood had an element of yellow in it, making it a nice compliment to yellow walls. Look for creamy yellows over greenish ones.

Additional tips can be found in HOME magazine or online at www.pointclickehome.com.

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