G: We have just moved into a new house. Everything is painted while or neutral and all of the carpeting is beige. I'm ready to add a little color to our life, but I'm not sure where to begin. Should my children's rooms be the same color scheme as the living room so that it will flow better? Please help!

A: Include your family when choosing your new color schemes for your home. Gain confidence from them by taking a survey and discovering what colors they prefer. If your entire family loves a particular color scheme, how can you go wrong?

Children typically do not have a fear of color, and may prefer bold and vivid colors in their rooms. Go with their preferences in their bedrooms, particularly in easily changed finishes, such as paint or a bedspread.

If you tend to be "color phobic" add color to your spaces slowly. Consider the colors you enjoy wearing, and follow your natural instincts. Paint is an ideal place to begin if you are intimated by color. It's inexpensive and you can easily repaint if the color is not what you envisioned.

Just remember, don't necessarily compromise with a sale neutral color scheme if you long to surround yourself with color. If necessary, go with neutrals or neutralized colors on expensive items, such as carpet and furniture, but use the color you desire on walls and accents.

Color schemes typically have three to five colors in them. However, to keep the room balanced, select only one color to be dominant in a room or it may feel too busy and chaotic. You can always use fabrics as an inspiration for a color scheme, regardless of whether you end up using the fabric in the room or not. If you like the colors together, then use it as a guide to select carpet, paint and fabric colors for your home.

Article written and All Rights owned by Susan Welch Heeney and Decorating Studio, LLC. Please visit www.DecoratingStudio.com for more information decorating articles. Copyright 2005 - Present.