One of the earliest steps in any painting project is choosing the color you want. While there are many ways to find the right color, it’s common for homeowners to feel paralyzed by the number of choices they have, especially for indoor rooms where surfaces can be nearly any color they can imagine.
To help out, we’re going through our favorite tips on how to finally pick the right color for your plans! Try these methods and see if any of them help out.
Start with a Piece of Inspiration
In many rooms, you may already have a favorite piece or color that’s important to you. This could be a view out the window, some beautiful kitchen tile, a piece of art, a beloved dining table, or nearly anything else. One of the easiest and most effective options is to build around that object by choosing colors that complement it.
Use the Color Wheel
Everyone picking paint colors should spend some time with a color wheel. Color wheels are easily available online and show you what colors work well together, with complementary colors on the opposite side of the wheel and analogous colors beside each other, among other choices. There’s a lot you can do with a color wheel, especially if you already have one color to start with, so we advise taking a look!
When In Doubt, Stick to Neutral Colors
Neutral colors, by definition, go with almost anything and they are a good choice when you already have a lot of colorful furniture or art and want something calmer and more subdued. Popular neutral colors include off-whites, grays, beige, black, brown, olive, and some shades of blue. Keep in mind that natural materials can also have neutral colors!
Check Out Monochromatic Pallets
A monochromatic scheme means you pick only one color for a room but use warmer or cooler versions of that color or lighter and darker versions to help add variety. This is a good choice in rooms where you want to subtly highlight certain sections without clashing with another color.
Don’t Choose Too Many Colors
Inside a house, you should usually keep colors in a room limited to two or three at the most. Unless you’re painting a mural on the wall, more than three colors quickly becomes confusing, difficult to plan, and jarring to the eye.
Remember to Choose a Finish
Remember that paint also has a finish as well as a color! The finish describes how shiny and durable the paint is. A high finish will be reflective and relatively easy to clean. A matte or eggshell finish will be very flat, unreflective, and more delicate. There are other levels of finish to consider if you want a compromise, too. Consider how dirty your walls get, how active the room is (kitchen vs. bedroom), and the lighting in the room when choosing the right finish.
Still, need help deciding between colors or choosing the right kind of color for your space? Call Tar Heel Painters for your color consultation! We can provide advice and quotes so that you have the best information to act on.
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