How to Choose Paint Color

One of the most difficult decisions a homeowner can make is to choose paint colors for their living spaces. We all want the perfect paint color for our spaces, one that brings life and personality to a room without making it appear too dark or too small.

There are an incredible number of choices out there. Take a stroll through your local paint or home improvement store and just look at all the different color swatches and brands. It can be overwhelming. And what looks good in the store, on a tiny square of cardboard, won’t always be the right fit for your large space.

So where should you begin? I can offer you a few tips on how to choose paint colors.

First of all, you must reach a decision on what specific look or feel you’re going for in the room. Colors create mood and personality. You want your spaces to reflect both the uses to which they are put and also the personality of the homeowners. Ask yourself these four questions and write down the answers. They will help you move toward your goal.

What type of room am I painting? And what do we use this specific room for? Since color effects mood, you want the color to reflect the use of the room. Due to the intense and passionate nature of red, it probably would not be the best choice for a bedroom, since most bedrooms are used for sleep and relaxation. Sunny orange or yellow would probably also be poor choices for that space, given their lively and bright aspect. Greens and blues, on the other hand, are colors that can give a space the feel of quiet and calm.

What is my personality? You want your room to express the personality of its owner. So what are your favorite colors, and why? Are you a laid back, mild-mannered sort of person? If so, the wide spectrum of blues fits your personality. Are you a more intense, artistic type? Red and oranges may be more your style. Just be sure that you express your personality, but not to the exclusion of the other questions on this list. The color you choose should fit you, the room involved, and the furnishings or style.

What furnishings are already in the room? If you are working around existing furnishings, the color you choose should compliment those furnishings. If you have neutral colored furniture, most color palettes should work equally well with those furnishings. If you have dark, brightly-colored, or patterned furnishings you should consider selecting a wall color that brings out certain features of those pieces of furniture. For example, if you have patterned furnishings, consider taking a favorite color from the pattern and using that. That will not only allow you to use your favorite color, but also will cause that color to stand out in the furnishings.

Finally, do you have a desired style? Do you like any one particular style of decorating. Tuscan, for example? Try a palette of bright sunny golds and yellows. Or perhaps you’re more of a modern decorator? Try sharp black/white contrasts, with splashes of red (think accent walls).

Take your answers to these four questions and see if a pattern emerges. Let us say, for example, that you are painting a kitchen. Kitchens are places of activity, places where we spend a lot of time. Let us also say that you are a naturally happy individual, that you love bright colors and sunny days. Your cabinets are neutral or dark wood, so something needs to brighten up the room. And you love French or Italian decorating styles. A bright gold or yellow might be ideal for you.

Not all color selections will work out quite as neatly as this, but it gives you a great idea of where to start choosing paint colors. Do something extraordinary with your room. Don’t settle for the same old drab builder’s whites and creams. Consider a faux finish paint technique to really spice up your space.