Choosing paint colours for your home can be overwhelming. This is exacerbated by online spaces with numerous stunning paint schemes and design ideas to choose from and then there’s Pinterest which is guaranteed to suck you in. Colour contributes to the appeal of a room. It is one of the first things we see when we enter a room, creating a mood, and evoking feelings for better or worse. The colour of a room also contributes to its value. This, however, does not mean the exercise of picking interior colours should be a major hassle. Here are a few things to consider that will hopefully make the entire process less stressful and more fulfilling.
Start with colours you love
The number of awesome colour schemes to choose from is borderline infinite and you have finite space, so start with colours you already know you love. This allows you to start somewhere you are already comfortable without becoming overwhelmed by all options available.
Find paint colour inspiration
Inspiration abounds from magazines to social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest. Collect some ideas, separate what resonates with you and allow that to inspire you even if you don’t necessarily use those exact paint ideas.
Determine what mood you want the space to convey
Why are you painting the room? When people begin such transformative projects as painting they have an idea about why they want to do it, and what changes they want to make in the room. How do you want the room to feel? Playful? Relaxing? Romantic? Sensuous? Are you trying to make the room bright and peppy or a tranquil escape? Knowing what mood you want is a great starting point in picking a colour. If you’re looking to make the room a calm quiet place for relaxation, try cool neutral colours. If it’s an entertainment or game room, try bolder colours.
Keep tabs on what colours are in the room already
Consider the colours that are already in the room. What colour is the furniture, carpet, cabinets, drapes, etc.? Make sure the colours complement each other. You can even use colours you already like that are present in the room as a starting point.
Lighting and Room Location
Paint appears differently depending on the lighting. It may look different in a store that’s full of natural light than it would in a room that does not receive as much natural light. Consider taking home some swatches or a small sample to see how your colours look given your room’s location and lighting.
Wall Surface
The wall surface matters. Paint appears much lighter on smooth walls and darker on rougher walls. Consider this when choosing the shade of paint.
Paint Finish
There are many different finishes available including high gloss, semi-gloss, matte, and satin. A common rule of thumb is the shinier the finish, the more durable the paint. Shinier paint is also easier to clean and therefore better for high-traffic areas.
Use paint colour apps to test it out
Paint colour apps can suggest colours and colour palettes based on the pictures of the things you already have in the room and can help you get more colour scheme ideas once you’ve narrowed them down to a few colours you like.
There’s no such thing as the best interior paint colour. There are too many great colour schemes as it is. Just approach the entire process with an open mind and a commitment to exploring your creative side as you search for the paint colour that will be perfect for you.
Here’s a great piece on 5 tips to help you repaint your house should you choose to take the leap. Check out 7 Things To Note Before Renovating Your House. Also check out Lifestyle: Using Fabric To Bring Colour To Your Home
