How to Choose a Paint Color and Finish
Make a Bold Inexpensive Statement by Picking the Right Wall Color
May 7, 2009
The most important thing about choosing a paint color is finding one that is pleasing to the eye, complimentary to your furnishings and décor, and creates the mood you desire.
Take Your Time
The color options are practically endless so don’t rush your decision. Go to paint stores and collect chips. Take as many as you want and when you get them home don’t just hold them up to the wall. Hold them up to your furniture, rug, accessories, and anything else you’ve got in the room. See if the colors compliment each other.
A no-fail way to choose a complimentary color is to pull one of the colors out of an already existing piece in the room. Whether it’s a color in a piece of art, or a patterned fabric on a piece of furniture. Bring samples of your fabrics when you’re out hunting for paint. If you’re really unsure of this, or if you already have a lot of color in the room consider a neutral paint. They are generally more accepting of different colors so if you change your furniture or accessories on a regular basis they may be your safest option.
Sample Pots
Many places will sell you a sample pot of your desired color for a very low price, so once you’ve narrowed down your choices buy a couple and test out large areas of the wall. This will give you a better idea of how the color looks once it’s dry and how it will really appear in your room. Depending on the amount of natural light in a space, paint colors can look quite different. This test will also give you the chance to see how it looks at different times of the day as the sun moves across the sky.
Experiment
Life is short – don’t be afraid to try something daring or unusual. Why not paint the walls a light color and paint the trim in something dark and dramatic? Or go against the norm and paint your ceiling something other than white. Try a lighter shade of whatever you’ve put on the walls. Remember, if you decide you don’t like it, you can always change it.
Finishes
There are a few different finishes available and they all have their pros and cons.
- A flat finish is great if your walls are in rough shape. It has a matte appearance and doesn’t reflect light so imperfections aren’t as noticeable. If you live in a home where the walls are likely to get scuffed (you move your furniture a lot, or kids draw on the walls) it may not be the best choice as it isn’t easily washable.
- Eggshells and satins are very popular because they have a slight shine and reflect a bit of light. They’re fairly easy to wash so you don’t have to be quite so careful.
- Semi-gloss and glossy finishes are very shiny. They reflect a lot of light and are typically used for window and door trims.
Whatever you choose, take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun.
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