Magazines and TV programmes revel in completely transforming rooms with colour, which can be both inspiring and daunting when it comes to choosing paint schemes for your own home. There are some basic things to take into account, such as the shape and size of the room, features you want to draw attention to or hide, and the effect of natural light. Even subtle variations of shade can have a significant impact on the overall look. There are simple ways to test colours and, even if you get it horribly wrong, it doesn't take long or cost too much to repaint a room.