How to Choose the Perfect Color for Your Home Painting Project

When it comes to painting your home, it's important to choose the right color. The color you choose can make or break the look of your home, so it's important to take your time and make sure you get it right. Here are some tips from experts on how to choose the perfect color for your home painting project. The first step in choosing the right color for your home is to consider where it is located. Different colors may be more appropriate for certain homes than others.

For example, a moody interior paint color may not be the best choice for a seaside residence. Matching the molding to the wall color can also help create a seamless transition, especially when using high-quality paint. If you find a color that is too strong, you can ask your paint store to formulate it with “half its concentration” to lighten it or add more gray to attenuate it. You can also use paint to create a wood cladding effect where it doesn't exist by covering the lower third of the wall with one color and the upper walls with another; then place a piece of flat molding along the intersection and paint it in the color of the lower wall. Painting a metallic enamel just above an existing painted element, such as a ceiling medallion, is another way to draw attention. When choosing colors for your interior walls, experts recommend going for colors softened with a little gray; these are often found in historic palettes.

To make things easier, pick up a paint sample card that has the wall color as the central option, and then choose one or two lighter options for the ceiling color. It's also important to consider how a room is used and the atmosphere you want to create when choosing colors. Choosing a decoration style for your home or a particular room can help narrow down your search and select the right paint colors. For example, you can paint a built-in bookcase or niche a shade of green in a room with blue walls, which will highlight the elements of the bookcase or interior of the built-in area. However, experts recommend limiting this effect to a dining room or study to avoid clashing colors that give off an overly busy vibe. In general, crisp whites can make a space appear larger and more open, while warm colors create a sense of intimacy.

Although it is not necessary to be bound by tradition, the style of your house can serve as a guide when choosing outdoor paint colors. Alternatively, you can hide those bright colors that kids love in bathrooms by painting vanity cabinets or adding a band of fun colors.