Color Consultation: Stressless Paint Color Selection with the Experts

Painting a room is a big task, don’t let picking a color be even bigger. CertaPro offers stressless paint color selection with our experts.

Narrowing it down

Whether you are painting the interior or exterior of your home, the approach is the same. Look for inspiration in your surroundings. Have a look at houses in your neighborhood and make note of the color pallets you like. When it comes to interior, look within. What colors do you wear? What colors bring your mood up? Use those colors to begin your search.

The setting of your home can play a big part in what you choose as well. The bright colors of the suburbs might not play well in a city loft. Even if you feel locked in to a simple white, or expected taupe, there are still so many options.

Once you have chosen a color you like, go get paint chips that reflect it. Make sure you pick some a shade or two lighter and darker. The paint chip versus a painted wall can make a big difference.

Now that you have your inspiration, decide what feeling you are going for. Light and cool colors will make a dainty room look larger. Dark and deep warm colors will bring the walls in and make it feel smaller. Neither is necessarily bad, just make sure to opt for the color that lends itself to your space.

Time to Test

It’s so difficult to choose a color based on a one-inch by one-inch chip of paint. Large paper swatches from the paint companies are not always reliable of available. Painting a test patch is the best way to see how the color will play in the room. It’s a good idea to paint patches at least two feet by two feet across from a window or next to an accent wall or door. The natural and artificial light can make a big change in your color choice. Testing in an area of direct shadow and direct sunlight will make your choice easier. Be sure to have a peek at it during the day and evening.

For more rich colors, go for a flat matte look. This will make the color look deeper. It’s also more sturdy if you need to clean it in a high traffic area. Finishes with shines will reflect light around the room. Some homeowners find it distracting, while others like the extra light in the room.

Bold colors

It’s a big commitment to go for an entire room full of dark or bright colors. Start in the shallow end by painting a closet or cabinet interior. It’s a small commitment and an easy way to experiment with colors. A door, wainscoting or piece of furniture can usher into a world of color before you go for a full wall or room.

With the advent of great rooms, new issues of color have come up. When you are dealing with an open floor plan, changing a color in one piece of one room can change the whole area. Carrying the same color scheme throughout easiest. Rely on accent walls or doors for color. Monochromatic can work to change the color up too. Use the same color, just different shades to update.

Living versus bed versus bath

With the different areas of the house, feel free to go with different colors, looks and feels. Your bedroom does not have to reflect the colors of your great room.

When it comes to some of the smaller living areas, consider more exotic ideas of patterns, finishes and bright colors. A patterned bathroom accent wall can be just what you need to liven up your space. Or how about a bright closet in your master?

Professional color consultation

If it’s all seeming too overwhelming, bring in help. Go for a stressless paint color selection with the experts and can give you the personalized advice you need. The expert will help you look at the constraints of your room. For example, a kitchen has multiple features that cannot be moved. If the room is connected as part of an open plan, that will also be considered.

To get ready for your color consultation, think about what you are looking for out of your room. Is there a particular feeling you want to give it? Are you a bright colors or more muted kind of person? What is the natural or fixture light like in the room?

If you have any samples of colors, images from magazines or the internet, or any similar homes in your area. If you are not the only decision maker in the home, spend some time talking over what you are looking for and get on the same page before your consultation.

Be ready to do a walk through of the area to be painted. Talk about any issues or concerns you have in that part of your home. Pull furniture away from the walls if possible, but have it available for your consultant in case it affects the color choices. You should walk away from your consultation with colors, finishes and a good feeling about what you choose.