What to Consider When Picking Paint Colors

They say the simplest way to update your home is with some fresh paint. However, picking a paint color is no small feat. There’s an inconceivably-endless spectrum of wall colors out there. Try reimagining your space painted in classic hazelnut. Now try primrose yellow. Now try magenta. Now try one of the hundreds of shades of gray.. It’s enough to make your head spin.

To make your life easier, we compiled a list of the 5 most important things to consider when picking paint colors.

Start With What You Cannot Change

Floors, countertops, cabinets, kitchen appliances, priceless art, and that antique dresser you just can’t part with – these are examples of fixed furnishings. These are the things you cannot change, so pay attention to their style. This often-overlooked step to picking paint color is essential. In fact, a favorite piece of furniture, art piece, or rug can inspire the color scheme for an entire home.

Set the Mood

Every color can evoke a different mood. There are bright and cheery yellows. There are easy-going neutrals. There are bold and ballsy colors, clean colors, vibrant colors, calming colors, worldly colors, earthy colors, and colors to make you feel warm and cozy. Consider how you use each room, too. You may want a calming color for the bedroom, while the kitchen would do well with some energizing hues.

Study the Light

Where does light come from in your space? Are your rooms flooded with beautiful sunshine, or are they illuminated by incandescent light bulbs? As you compare colors in various paint stores, magazines, and homes, keep in mind that variations in lighting can cause drastic changes in how color is perceived. A stylish gray paint in one apartment may have grayish-purple undertones in your own abode.

Tie It All Together

When painting multiple rooms, different colors can be tied together by a complementary palette. Many paint shops offer palette options that include a wide variety of colors to choose from. You can also “tie it all together” by picking an eye-catching accent color to thread through all of the rooms. For instance – you could paint a red accent wall in the living room, toss some red throw pillows on the bed, and buy a red chair for the home office.

Throw Away the Rulebook

If you truly want to create a space that is your own, then forget the rules. Mix and match colors to express your creativity and bring life to an otherwise drab apartment. Nine times out of ten, intuition is the best decorating consultant.