If you decide to paint a wall or entire room in your home, what goes into choosing the right wall colors? Walking into a hardware store or browsing online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the different shades. Will it be Rosy Red? Lush Green? What about Cool Grey? There are endless choices as to your color palette, and sometimes that can be a bit daunting. Here’s how to make the right paint choice for your room, style, and needs.
Coordinate with the Room’s Furnishings
When you decide to paint, you might be tempted to go into the hardware store, come home with a few swatches, and then pick a paint. Don’t forget to consider what will be in the painted room: furniture, art, and other decorative items. You don’t want to settle on a brilliant pink only to be disappointed when it clashes with your red couch. When you grab your swatches, keep the rest of the room in mind. If you aren’t browsing color swatches online, snap a photo on your phone to view while in-store. Better yet, look into one of the popular paint brand apps that will let you virtually paint any wall in your home.Sherwin-Williams’ ColorSnap Visualizeruses augmented reality to visualize any of their 1,500 colors plus lets you match a photo to find a paint color.Behr has a similar app.
Factor in Color Psychology
Color has a powerful effect on our psychology as certain hues evoke a range of emotions. If you want to know how to choose the right wall colors, focus on how you want the room to make you feel. The wall color will play a part in your mood, behavior, and thoughts, so the right choice is perfect. Hospitals often use color schemes of blues and greens for their calming effect, while sports facilities go for loud and active colors like red.
Popular colors and their emotions include:
Yellow - Happiness, joy, and inspiration. Yellow is the color of sunshine, making for a warm and welcoming space. It’s often used in kitchens but can be used well in bedrooms, foyers, and other spaces. Studies show that children can get overstimulated in yellow rooms, however.
Red - An energetic color, red commands the need to take action. It stimulates the mind and invites passion. Some homeowners may like red in their bedrooms, but some might find it hard to sleep at night.
Blue - Blue is a calming color often associated with spas and hospitals. Evoking the ocean and the sky, it's a hue that’s good for spaces for relaxation. Blue can be a great choice for a bathroom or bedroom, as well as a child’s room.
Green - The color of money as well as nature, green is an inspirational color. Green is associated with renewal and stability. It may be used well in bedrooms, bathrooms, or living rooms.
Brown - Like green, brown has a natural tone, reflecting the earth. It’s a simple neutral that looks good in minimal spaces. Too much brown can appear dreary.
White - White is a clean neutral, often used in modern room design. It's perfect for those who like a formal feel but is versatile. When used in a room with a lot of natural light, it makes the space bright. White can feel stark depending on how its used, so plan your painting carefully for the right effect.
Pick the Right Sheen
Just choosing a paint color isn’t enough. You need to make sure it will hold up to daily life and show beautifully on the wall. There are several varieties of sheen to consider and you should pick the best for your needs. As you decide on paint sheens, it’s important to remember that high sheen offers high durability. Flat paint isn’t shiny and is good for low traffic areas or ceilings, so it’s not a good choice for the kid’s room or playroom. It’s non-reflective so if you’re trying to create a lighter space, opt for a higher sheen. Matte is a better choice if you want to hide imperfections but is still for low to moderate traffic areas. Satin, eggshell, and hi-gloss have a shinier brilliant finish, last longer than matte or flat, and look great. Pick a sheen that offers the luster and durability you need.
Get Inspired
Find your color inspiration. A piece of inspiration is a great guide on how to choose the right wall colors. Look for something that inspires you and reflects how you want the room to feel. You can go looking for paint inspiration by browsing interior design pictures on Pinterest, finding a photo of a favorite place, or even by looking at a piece of decor. For example, if you’re looking for a color scheme for a fun and whimsical room, you might look to our cuteGecko the Lizard Metal Decor for ideas. If you dream of a dreamy and spa-like bathroom, try finding a color combo that works with a piece like theTree of Life.
Grab a Sample
Are you guilty of staring at the swatches at the hardware store, picking one, and then getting home only to be a little disappointed with how the paint looks on the wall? You’re not alone. Skip the heartache and ask for a sample at the store, or order one from the paint manufacturer. Not only will you see how it looks on the wall, but you’ll also be able to see how the sheen appears as well. Most stores will offer a free or cheap 8 oz jar of paint so you can test it at home. Samples are a great way to choose the right wall colors.
Your room should be a space you love! Make sure you go about choosing the right colors and you’ll be happy with the room for years to come. RealSteel has a variety of unique designs and custom wall decor to fit any room in the house, and it will accent whatever color you choose.
Happy painting!
Interior images are courtesy of drivenbydecor.com