Angie's List Tips > June 2008 > Picking a paint color

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Picking a paint color

Posted: 6/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | 7 comments
 
Painting a room in your home usually ends one of two ways: everything goes as planned and the room looks beautiful, or everything goes awry and your house’s interior looks like a Monopoly board.

Before you start busting out the brushes and bonding with your painter over avocado greens, there are a handful of things you should be considering.
  1. Take a good look around at your decorations and surroundings before you commit to a color and ask yourself, “How good is all this stuff going to look with another color on the wall?” Maximize the beauty of your space by considering all the colors already present, from furniture to paintings and knicknacks.
  2. Ask questions. Remember that whole, “the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask” business? That still holds a lot of weight. Especially when not asking could leave your walls in a less-than-stellar state. Whether you’re asking the paint guy at the store or your contractor, be sure that all your questions—even the ones that seem trivial—are answered. What kind of prep work are you doing? Are you sanding problem areas between coats?
  3. Peruse the trends. Right now muted tones are super popular across the country, especially organic, nature-based ones. Going with a popular color means you’re more likely to find coordinating accessories to keep your space snazzy.
  4. Test drive your color. Invest in a quart-sized (or smaller) can of paint in the color that you’re thinking of using before you buy a bigger (and more expensive) can. Paint a small portion of your wall and watch the color in different lights throughout the day so you don’t get stuck with a color that only looks how you want it to look in broad daylight.
  5. If you’re stuck between a few different colors, get hung up on it—literally. Invest in a few 2x2 canvases and paint them in the colors that you’re thinking about. Pop ‘em up on the wall so you can see them in different lights and stick them in a bag and take them around to stores so you can get a feel for what décor options are available for each color.
  6. If choosing a bold color, consider painting just an accent wall. Follow the rule of thumb – use the color on one, three or four walls.
  7. Keep in mind the perceived space of the room. Dark colors tend to make a room look smaller, while light colors will open up the space.
  8. Choose a finish. Eggshell and satin finishes will accentuate any imperfections in the wall. A matte or flat finish is the safest route and the better grades are washable.
  9. Are you planning to sell your home soon? If so, you may decide to stick with neutral colors rather than bold colors or decorative finishes. Keep in mind that buyers like to visualize their personal things in your home.
  10. Choose colors that match the mood you are trying to create for the room. Greens are romantic and are great for bedrooms, lavenders are calming, gold brings warmth and red is excitable and often used in kitchens.


Comments
Denise
Experienced painters arre often a good source for helping with the shades that meet on wall to wall. With tough angles they are usually your best source. And flat is best even on new construction.
10/1/2009 12:08:33 PM
L. H. Neuhaus
Painting information provided covers all areas well and in "If you aren't willing to do extensive prep work yourself or pay someone to do it, go with a flat finish on walls of an old house or a newer house with walls not properly finished."
9/20/2009 1:05:25 PM
Pamela
If you still have problems selecting just the right color do an internet search for a professional paint color specialist in your area.
9/19/2009 10:53:35 PM
Just Painted
Your #5 idea is the best I've heard, yet! No messing up the walls with trial patches - just move the canvases around and go. Thanks for the great tip!
9/18/2009 7:08:22 PM
linda
Love the 2x2 canvas idea. Even the small sample cans are not the helpful. I want to use dark green and red as an accent color in my kitchen, and I am having a hard time getting to appear not so Christmasy.
9/18/2009 3:20:54 PM
Gayl Scruton
As an interior designer, your helpful hints cover many of the thoughts I share with my clients before they begin painting. Paint needs to be chosen where it will be applied. After meeting with my client and selecting color options, I mail (2) free 8"x10" sheets of each choice to them. This allows my client to visualize the color on their walls without purchasing a small bottle or quart of paint or canvases.
9/18/2009 12:29:08 PM
David
How about some tips for choosing a color for the exterior of your house?
9/18/2009 10:32:29 AM
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