The paint color of a room can tell a hundred stories and add an entirely new feel to a room with minimal effort. You can add various textures and style to the painting to create a faux effect or keep it simple.
Use Sample Paint Swatches in a Larger Format
There are several types of paint swatches available. Make use of paint swatches that have a cut out insert to line up against the wall to compare against a paint color. You can also have a larger effect by purchasing inexpensive sample paint color sizes in less than a quart to paint a large sheet and place on a wall to determine if the color is worth painting.
Determine the Function of the Room
There is no standard paint color for each type of room. One living room may benefit from light pastel color while others do well with darker tones. Determine if the room is formal or if it is very casual. It will also need to take into account the number of windows and the lines of the room. Deeper colors will allow for a formal setting, while lighter colors are more active and casual.
Find Coordinating Colors With Existing Furniture
Existing furniture is an excellent way to coordinate your room and ensure it is cohesive. It should provide a nice compliment or contrast based on the material, such as wood. Paint should also be adaptable enough to allow for room changes should you decide to change up the room’s furnishings significantly.
Use Proper Lighting and Angles
An LED light is going to provide a cooler color to the room versus a standard incandescent. Experiment with various lighting situations with paint swatches to see how it affects the paint color in the room. Compare warm versus cool lighting for your needs.
Determine the Historical Vibe of the House
An older home may handle various shades of color better than a modern home with larger vaulted ceilings or heavy dappling of light with larger windows. For example, a home built during the Art Deco era of the 1920’s-1930’s may match with lighter greens and hues of blue that bring out the natural arches of the room as well as smaller window size to create an airy feel. Use a color photo of a sample room and hold it eye level to compare with examples. If you follow what your eyes tell you in using photos and samples, (and the previous steps) you’ll avoid loathing the color and feel of your painted rooms.
Rianne Hunter is a freelance blogger, mother of three, and aspiring design writer. While she’s learned this stuff from life experience, anyone from LA to Boston painting a room can likely benefit from professional help, too.