When you decide to have your home’s interior professionally painted, the last thing you want to do is choose a color or color scheme, have your home painted, and then realize it clashes or looks strange. Often, people choose a color that looks great on the swatch but once an entire wall is painted that color they realize the color is either too light or too dark. Choosing a paint color may seem easy enough but once you are standing in front of a wall of thirty different shades of beige, how do you know which one is right for your home?
Begin by walking through your home and seeing which walls you can see from certain angles. If you are standing in your kitchen and it flows directly into your dining room but you can also see your family room from all of the spaces you want to choose complimentary colors or stick to one shade. You probably do not want to paint one room green and the next room blue when they can be easily seen when standing in them. Start with a room that you will spend a lot of time in or that is the central room in the house. This is often the kitchen or family room area. Start by looking at the flooring color, this will help determine what color you choose for your walls. Additionally, look at the permanent fixtures such as cabinetry or countertops because they will influence your decision as well. Next, think about the mood you want to set in the room. For example, a family room is more lively but in a bedroom you may want to be more subdued to create a restful space.
Next, determine how you want to use paint in the room. Do you want it to make a statement, highlight an architectural feature, or simply set a background tone for the room? A bright bold color can be great to use as a highlight on one wall to make a statement but it may be overwhelming to use for an entire room. But, do not shy away from color because ultimately you want your home to feel like it is truly yours and you want it to reflect your personal style. Do not be afraid to try out a few colors and test them in different lights to see what you really think. A paint color on a wall can look very different in natural light than in does in incandescent light. When choosing paint for your whole home, ultimately, it is most important to create of continuity and flow. Think about your personal style and design aesthetic in your home and let that speak to you about a direction for your paint color choices. Neutrals are always in style and allow you to easily transition pieces of furniture or decor without having to constantly repaint. But, do not shy away from flexing your own personal style with a bold choice on occasion. Additionally, speak to your painters and ask for their personal expertise on how to choose paint colors. Professional painters will probably have some insight and advice that you would not have otherwise considered.
