One of the most seemingly daunting tasks involved in the decorating of your home is choosing what color to paint your walls. Don’t be nervous! Color is important, especially in the home; however, it’s not permanent. Here are some tips to guide you through the paint color selection process.
- Utilize Paint Samples: Before making any definitive changes, be sure to utilize paint samples found at your local hardware store. Chances are the colors found in the paint aisle will look a bit different pasted on the walls of your home. Be sure to test the paint swatches in various parts of the room, including under lights and by windows to see how light will change the color.
- Pick a Mood: Try and consider the mood of the room, or the mood which you are shooting for. Different colors can call to mind different moods and mindsets. For example, softer colors can create a more casual and relaxed environment, while bolder colors are capable of evoking strong senses of emotion, like passion or excitement. Color theory often suggests softer shades of purple, blue, and green be used in bathrooms and bedrooms, and richer shades of red and orange be used in highly used spaces like kitchens and basements.
- Lighting: Pay close attention to lighting in the room you wish to paint, as light, natural or not, will show off the true hue of your walls. Certain walls with light cast directly upon them may be problematic for bolder, stronger colors, but may work well with softer tones. Try and identify which walls cast the most light before choosing a color. Do not forget to consider any lighting fixtures you may be adding to a room’s décor and how they will change the look of a color on your walls.
- Find Inspiration: Have a favorite book, perhaps a favorite movie? Use a passion or hobby of yours and capture it’s essence in your living quarters. It is being done everywhere, and it makes choosing a color scheme for your home that much easier. Comb through home improvement or decorating magazines for ideas, or search the internet for your favorite celebrity’s home. Inspiration can come from anywhere, so keep an open mind when hunting for color schemes for your home.
Remember, paint is not permanent- there’s always room for change. For more help with paint color selection, contact Elizabethtown Painters at 717-478-8184.