Perfect Color Choice for House Painting

Posted on September 19, 2019

House colors can seem endless. Looking at books of 1-inch paint chips is enough to drive a person mad. Starting the process can be the most difficult part. Here are tips from our painting pros to help you achieve the perfect color choice for house painting. Start with these tips and you’ll land on a color you’re happy with for years to come.

Try Textiles

Instead of starting your search with random chips, begin with what’s in the room you like already. If there is a fabric or accessory in the room you are drawn to, look at the colors in it for inspiration. A pillow or rug can offer the perfect color choice for your room. By working this way, you’ll also know your room is coordinated with your furnishings.

For this to work, start with a patterned item. It will provide several color options and shades to use as a reference. Paint stores can mix the same color as your item contains. Matching paint to materials is a fairly simple process that most paint stores offer.

Transition Colors

In your home, chances are you’ll be able to see into other rooms from the one you are painting. Keep this in mind when choosing your paint. sightlines have brought down even the most professional of color schemes. A busy home full of colors can overwhelm the eyes and make it feel chaotic in your sanctuary.

This doesn’t mean you are relegated to one color scheme. Each room can have its own colors and feel, but rest space between is important to keep in mind. Moving from a deep charcoal area of your home to a brick red kitchen may overwhelm the senses. Try to include some rest areas for your eyes between them.

Look for Light

When picking house painting colors, it’s important to look at them in varying lights. A color can change from dull to vibrant depending on the light in the room. With natural light, a lovely greige can turn into virgin drywall. A warm pink can overwhelm the room with bright lighting.

A good way to test this is with large posterboards. Get tester paints of potential colors and paint them fully with the new colors. Put them against the walls in different areas of the room. Check the colors at different times of the day. This will give you a good idea of how the color will look on the walls. If it passes your eye test, then you can feel confident moving forward with your painting project.

Don’t Forget Finish

Finishes can make or break a color choice. It’s nearly as important as the hue itself. Each finish will provide a different feel to the color and durability level.

Flat finishes will show up matte. Colors in matte tend to look more modern and stylish. This paint will not be easy to clean messes from. Avoid it for messier rooms like toddler bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and mudrooms.

Egg Shell is a low shine finish that offers a bit of luster. It’s a decorative finish that is best for use in a rarely used room that you’d like to feel light and bright. Consider this finish for rooms like formal dining or living rooms.

Satin offers a durable finish that only carries a bit of shine. The finish protects the paint under it and allows for a simple clean-up of dings and dirty fingers. It’s a good option for a high-traffic area that’s not messy. Try it in foyers or hallways.

Semi-gloss is a shinier but cleanable option. It will be washable and withstand humidity and wetness. Look for semi-gloss finishes to put in laundry or bathrooms. The paint will stand up to the moisture that comes with these rooms.

High-gloss paint finish will give you the most durable option. Think messy rooms here. Kitchen grease and messes of nurseries are perfectly fine with high-gloss paint. The walls are completely washable with mild detergent and will stand up to eraser sponges.

If you’re still not sure about color and finish choices, talk with our color experts. Schedule a free, in-home estimate today.

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