If you’ve ever had to pick a paint color you know this major truth – the options are endless. Choosing the right paint color can be an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these 10 tips and you’ll have a new sense of confidence next time you’re in the paint aisle.
Bring Inspiration: Take along an existing pillow, piece of fabric or photo of your space. This will help you make more informed decisions.
The Right Light: Make sure to view your paint or paint chips in natural light to assure you’re seeing the color correctly. Paint looks different under artificial light, so try holding the chip near a window or painting a sample on your wall first.
Take-Home Testers: All the major paint retailers sell paint in small, tester sizes. These are perfect to take home and try out before committing to a full gallon of paint. The small amount will provide you with enough paint to give you an idea of what it would really be like to live with the color.
Try Multiple Shades: If you’re having trouble choosing, buy multiple testers and paint side-by-side squares on your walls. Live with them for a few days so you get the chance to see how the colors look morning, noon, and night. Make sure to mark them with identifiers so you’ll remember which one you liked best.
Choose Your Drama: Look to the color wheel for inspiration. Colors close together will make a room calm while those farther apart add drama.
Do What You Love: Start with a color you love, even if it’s not popular at the moment. Doing this will assure you’ll love the color for years to come. Just remember, your favorite color comes in a range of hues.
Lighten Up: If you’re afraid a hue may be too dark, ask the mixer to do a 50 percent tint of the color to lighten it up. Custom colors can also give a room a designer look, but make sure to jot down the specifics of your color for future touch-ups.
Room to Room: If you have rooms that are open to one another, avoid choosing radically different colors, which will make the spaces feel chopped up and small.
Go Bold: Small rooms that are visited more rarely, like a library or half-bath, can be done in stronger colors that make a statement.
Spraying vs. Rolling: Rolling may be the most popular choice, but it’s also the most time consuming and requires touch-ups more often. On the other hand, spraying results in a more high-end, professional look that also cuts painting time in half. With both options make sure you properly cover the areas you don’t want to be painted.
