Tips for Choosing Interior Paint Colors

Painting your home is one of the most common and easier ways to make your home truly your own. But when there are so many colors and varieties of paint to choose from, you may find yourself spending more time buying samples and taping color swatches to the walls rather than painting. So, here are some tips to help you decide on which colors to paint your home with!

• Use Furniture or Décor as a Guide: If your furniture has accent colors or defining print/pattern, or your décor follows a set color scheme, try choosing a color that is already established in the room!
  
  
• Choose the Finish that Best Fits the Room: Aside from color, you should also think about the finish of the paint. Different finishes are best suited for specific rooms; for example, flat paint used in bedrooms or living rooms and not kitchens and bathrooms, or any room that would encounter moisture, oil, dirt, etc.
  
  
• Find External Color Inspiration: While interior design books and online photos are great, you may notice the same colors being used repeatedly. So, look to art and other sources of color inspiration that aren't directly related to home design. This helps to break you out of your paint color shell and explore the many different color possibilities!
  
  
• Think About Size and Purpose: Two important questions to ask yourself are: what is the room you want to paint and how big or small is that room? Dark colors can make small rooms feel cramped, while bright colors can help to make a room feel more open. Bold colors are great for rooms that are used for lots of activity, such as a game room or living room, but when used in a bedroom, overly vibrant colors can make it difficult to relax and sleep.
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• Choose a Painting Focus: Walls are not your only option when it comes to painting a room. You can opt to paint the ceiling, wainscoting, or even the trim around the entryways and floor. You can create an in-depth feeling to any room by choosing to paint the ceiling or trim, or change the atmosphere entirely by painting one or more walls.
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• Choose a Color You Love: If you have a color in mind that you know you enjoy seeing throughout your day, start there! You can decide to paint one wall to start, to gain a better feel for how the color looks or just to create an accent wall, but the ease of choosing your favorite color is that you know you already like it!