When it’s time to update the interior of your house, one of the most cost-effective ways is do a fresh repaint.
Picking paint colors is exciting and choosing the right ones can completely change the look and energy of your home.
That said, picking paint colors can also be a bit stressful.
The new paint color is a big commitment, and it needs to match your personal style and the furniture that you already have (unless you’re doing a complete remodel).
Choosing the proper paint colors can also be difficult when multiple people are involved with the decisions.
How can you choose the right colors when different people have different tastes and desires?
Don’t worry – here are a few tips on how to choose the perfect interior paint color for your space.
1. Get Paint Color Inspiration
It’s easy to get a little excited about the first color that comes to mind and want to apply it to your walls.
We’ve all been there.
Being a bit too spontaneous can be dangerous, though.
You might love that bold pink accent wall now, but will it look as good in two weeks when you’re tired of looking at it?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Choosing the right paint colors is a process of combining things that match your personality style while working with the aesthetics of your home.
Start collecting ideas and inspiration on a mood board on a site like Pinterest.
A mood board will help you organize what you want your house to look like in the long term.
You can begin to see trends in the things that you’re picking out that can help steer you in the right direction.
Another great thing about mood boards is that they can be shared.
If you live with someone else who also has a say in how this room is going to look, letting them add things to the mood board might also help you reach a happy middle ground.
You can find aspects of each other’s interests that you both like until you settle on one paint color that you’re both happy with.
It doesn’t have to be difficult though.
Choosing paint colors is a fun process so try to embrace the experience and really think through everything.
2. Take Advantage of Paint Swatches
You know those paint swatches they have at hardware stores?
You should be taking advantage of those, they’re going to be so helpful to you while you make this decision.
Don’t just hold them up against the wall though, you need to consider the big picture.
Bring those swatches home and hold them up against all of the furniture that’s going into that room, as well as any art or photos that are going to hang on the walls.
You might also want to consider testing a small area close to the carpet or flooring to see how the contrasts of color work together.
Once your narrowed down your paint colors to four to five options, consider consulting with a professional color consultant.
3. Consider a Trial Run
Once you have your colors narrowed down a bit, consider buying a few paint samples to apply to small areas of your wall.
This may seem like a bit of a hassle, but it can be difficult to know what paint is going to look like until it’s on the wall.
Painting the samples on the wall, even in a small amount, will help your color decisions because you can see what it looks like in the context of your living space.
You’ll also be able to see the paint against various lighting in your house.
Paint samples are also inexpensive and painting a small swatch of your wall won’t take long.
You can even test out multiple colors at once.
4. Consider the Different Sheens for Each Room
When selecting colors, it’s also a good idea to consider the paint sheen you plan on using as well.
At Homestar Painting, we typically use:
- Flat, satin or eggshell paint for the walls
- Semi-gloss for the trim, doors, laundry room, kitchen, bathrooms,. closets, kids room or any other rooms that are considered “high traffic”.
- Flat for the ceiling
Here are a few things to consider regarding paint sheen:
Flat paint tends to show imperfections in the drywall and it is harder to clean.
If you have kids or the surface will be touched often, flat sheens may not be a good option.
Satin or eggshell paint has a slight gloss to it and is the popular options for walls due to its versatility and ease of cleaning.
It is ideal for areas with a decent amount of traffic that might get a little bit scuffed up over time (especially with pets or children involved).
Semi-gloss paint can withstand a lot more abuse and is easier to clean, however; it does have quite a bit of shine to the look.
Whatever sheen you choose, make sure it fits into your lifestyle and aesthetic.
5. Consider Hiring a Professional Color Consultant
We typically say choosing colors should come with a marriage counselor.
It can be tough choosing a color with another person or even by yourself and hiring a color consultant can help break down how different color will work together with your home.
A color consultant can also help provide an experienced, unbiased input regarding the colors you choose and can really streamline the color selection process.
If you would like a virtual paint color consultation, give us a call and we can help you choose the perfect colors for your home.
If you want to save yourself the headache and the trips to the paint store, this might be the best choice for you.
Are You Ready to Start Picking Paint Colors?
Your next paint color is a big decision, but picking paint colors can be a lot of fun!
Try to remember that it’s an exciting process, and soon you’ll be living in your redesigned space.
To find a color consultant for yourself, or to get a quote on painting services, visit our site.
We want to help you make your space feel like home.
Thanks for mentioning that the color of the interior paint you choose should match the furniture you own since it’s a big commitment. My wife and I are considering looking for an interior painter because we’re thinking of changing the color of our bathrooms to make them look more inviting and homely. I think it’s wise for us to contemplate hiring a reputable professional that can help us repaint our bathrooms so that they can be as appealing as possible.