Nine Easy Ways to Choose the Right Paint Color for Your Home

It’s time to paint the interior of your Petoskey home, but with a so many options, choosing the right color can be overwhelming. Even if you use Petoskey painting professionals, the color is ultimately up to you. Nobody wants to waste time and money on a paint color they hate.

Here are nine easy ways to choose a paint color for your home: 

1. Match paint color to items in your home

Try choosing a color from your favorite painting, rug or piece of furniture. Matching walls to items already in your home will ensure you like the color. This can also help keep redecorating costs low. If you choose a color that already matches your furniture, you will not need to buy anything new. If you are starting a room from scratch, this method can also apply to just about any object. Try matching a color to a favorite tie, for example.

2. Choose a color that complements your other walls

Consider how a paint color pairs with the existing wall colors in your home. While we think of the rooms in our houses as being separate, at least part of one room may be visible from another. Keep this in mind and consider whether a new color complements or contrasts with other walls. 

3. Pick a color that suits the size and shape of the room

Decide what visual effect you want to achieve based on the size and shape of the room. Light colors make a small room seem larger, while darker colors may elongate hallways. Rooms with high ceilings seem cozier in rich warm colors.

4. Choose between warm and cool tones

Take a look at the floor and ceiling color, and decide whether you prefer colors in the same family or a contrasting palette. This is especially helpful when choosing between neutrals.

5. Take a look at your lighting

Fluorescent lighting tends to be more cool toned, which may play up blues or greens in any given hue. On the other hand, incandescent light may bring out warm reds or yellows. Consider how this will affect your chosen color.

6. Remember to swatch

 Paint colors can look very different in a large swatch than on the small chip at the store. Be sure to see if you still like it in the lighting in your home. Color also looks very different in the daylight compared to dim lighting in the evening. Walls may even appear to change color depending on how cloudy it is outside.
Most stores will offer small cans of paint for only a few dollars so you can swatch. If you don’t want to commit to painting a swatch on the wall just yet, you can also paint a large piece of paper or cardboard and place it in the room you are considering.

7. Think about the color you are trying to cover

A light color painted over something dark or very bright will require more coats. This is good to keep in mind if time is a concern.

8. Enhance your mood with a chosen color

Studies show that the color of your walls has an effect on your mood. Here are some examples:

Red is energizing, intense and exciting. It is a bold choice for an entryway, and can be a rich and elegant choice for a living room. However, it is not recommended for bedrooms. Red can also be jarring in rooms that receive a lot of daylight.

Orange invokes enthusiasm, so it can be a good choice for a home gym or workspace in a more muted tone. Orange also increases appetite, so it can work in kitchens or dining rooms.

Yellow is a happy and uplifting color. It is a great choice for kitchens, dining rooms and small spaces. However, be careful of choosing yellow for your main color scheme. Studies show that people lose their temper more quickly and that babies cry more in yellow rooms.

Green is restful to the eye. It has a refreshing quality and is comforting. This natural shade is a great choice for any room.

Blue is calming and serene. This makes it a popular color for bedrooms. Studies show blue also increases productivity, so it is also good for workspaces. Rooms with natural light are best to prevent a shade from looking too cold. Lighter blues are also recommended. Darker shades of blue carry sad connotations.

Purple is associated with creativity. A dark purple color makes a room seem more dramatic, elegant and regal. Lighter purples are youthful, good for a child’s bedroom. Be careful when choosing a purple. This color can appear artificial.

Neutrals are classic and safe. Browns are natural like green, but offer warmth and comfort. White looks clean and minimal. Black is a bold choice, but can be overwhelming if not used sparingly.

9. Ask your painter for suggestions

Your painter has plenty of experience with what looks best. Feel free to bring a few options and ask a professional for his or her advice.