Three Tips For Choosing the Right Paint Color
I want to share three tips to help you choose the right paint color for your home (or office).
Tip 1: Always test your color before committing:
When choosing a paint color, never depend on the swatch alone. Instead, purchase samples of your top choices and test them in your space. You can do this by painting your own, larger swatch(es) (both Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore sell swatch boards) or by painting a couple of test areas in the space (if you are 100% committed to changing the color in that area). If you choose to paint a swatch, hang it with painters tape in the room that you want to paint. Look at your test area or swatch in the morning, in the afternoon, and again at night. Remember that color is a reflection of light. Therefore, it will change as the light changes. If you like the color consistently throughout the day, then you have found the right color for your space. Another thing to consider is that color may look beautiful in one home, but completely different in another. This is also due to the different amounts of light each home receives. Never assume that a color that you love will look the same in a new space. Always test it first.
Tip 2: Customizing is a great option
Sometime we find a color that we love. The tone is perfect, but we need it to be a little lighter or darker to work well with door casings, flooring, etc. A little trick that I like to use is adding white or black pigment to the original formula. I will ask the paint store to mix in a percentage of white or black (at varying percentages) to adjust the color to my space. White is easier to work with than black. I will request 25%, 50%, or 75% white pigment to lighten the color to my desired level. Black is a little trickier. I would suggest only adding black pigment with an experienced paint technician mixing the paint. They can help you determine how much is needed to darken the color without changing the tone too much. This technique should always be used with paint samples before committing. In most cases, you can just go up or down a level or two on an existing fan deck swatch to go lighter or darker. However, there are times when you desire a more subtle adjustment. This is when you may want to consider customizing.
Tip 3: Pay attention to other finishes, adjacent rooms, and furnishings when choosing your color
It's great when you find a color you love in the perfect tone for your room. However, you can't ignore the furnishings or other finishes. Always make sure that it works with your flooring, counters, and cabinets. Do all of the colors and tones flow or contrast nicely with one another or do they clash? If everything doesn't flow, then it doesn't work. Consider your furnishings. Do the patterns, tones, and textures work well with your selection? If not, are you willing to change your furniture to work with your new selection? If the answer is no, then you need consider a different color. Are the adjacent rooms open to this space or is there a door separating them? If they are open, then they need to flow or compliment your color selection. If they don't, then you need to rethink your selection.
I hope that you find today's post helpful and that you will feel more confident when choosing the perfect paint color for your next project. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
