Tips for Choosing Paint Colors for Your Home
House painting is important for several reasons, and one of the most important decisions you’ll make when doing it is choosing the right paint colors. The right paint colors can increase your home’s resale value and create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere, while the wrong ones can easily make your home feel dull or uninviting. Unfortunately, with so many paint color options, choosing colors can be an exciting and overwhelming experience.
In this blog, follow along as we explain a few factors you should consider when choosing paint colors for your home so that you feel confident in your choices and fall in love with the final result.
Understand How Color Affects Mood & Space
Color psychology plays a crucial role in how we perceive spaces and how they influence our moods and feelings. Different colors can evoke different emotions and reactions, which is why it’s essential to consider the psychological effects of colors when choosing paint for your home. For example, blues and greens are often associated with calmness and serenity, making them excellent choices for bedrooms and bathrooms. Warm colors like reds and oranges, on the other hand, can stimulate conversation and appetite, making them ideal for dining areas and kitchens.
Consider the Room’s Function and Atmosphere
Before selecting a paint color, think about the purpose of the room and the atmosphere you want to create. Each room in your home serves a different function and may benefit from different color schemes. For instance, a study or home office might benefit from colors that enhance concentration and energy, such as soft blues or greens. Living rooms, where relaxation is key, may do well with warmer, neutral tones that encourage comfort and relaxation.
Remember, Lighting Makes a Difference
Lighting should never be underestimated when choosing paint colors. Natural light shows the true color of paint, while artificial light can alter the appearance of colors significantly. That’s why it’s important to test paint colors in the room they will be used, at different times of the day, to see how they look under both natural and artificial light.
Pro tip: If you have limited natural light in a room, consider using lighter, brighter colors to help make the space feel more open and inviting.
Think About Trends vs. Timelessness
While it’s tempting to go with the latest color trends, remember that paint colors should last for years. It might be better to opt for more timeless and neutral colors as the primary palette and use trendy colors as accents. This strategy allows you to easily update your décor with new accessories and decorations as trends change, without needing to repaint entire rooms.
Choose Complementary Colors and Palettes
Think about the color palette of your entire home. While each room can have its unique color, it’s equally important for everything to feel and look cohesive. Using complementary colors or varying shades of the same color throughout your home can help achieve a balanced and harmonious look.
Consider the Finish
Finally, consider the finish of the paint you’re selecting–which can also affect the final appearance and ambiance of your painted rooms. Glossy finishes reflect light and are easy to clean, making them suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. Matte finishes, on the other hand, can help hide wall imperfections and offer a more subtle and sophisticated look, ideal for living rooms and bedrooms.
By considering these factors, you’re more likely to choose paint colors that not only look beautiful but also create the desired mood and atmosphere in your home. But remember,
Don’t Forget to Test!
Before making your final decision, it’s important to purchase small samples of paint to test how it will look on your walls. This step is crucial because it allows you to observe how the color looks in your home’s unique lighting conditions and against your furniture and home décor. Living with the color for a few days can help you determine if it’s the right fit for your space and if you’re comfortable with it in different lighting conditions.
How to Test Paint Samples Before Finalizing Your Decision
When selecting paint colors for your home, start by acquiring several paint samples from your local paint supplier or consult with a professional painter for color recommendations that align with your vision.
Before applying the samples, ensure your walls are prepped—cleaned and smoothed, with any rough patches sanded down–to ensure that the color you see is as close to the original shade as possible. It can also help to apply a white primer, especially if the paint samples are significantly lighter or darker than your current wall color, as it allows you to see the paint’s true color.
Next, proceed to paint large sections of your wall (at least a 1-foot square) with two coats of each sample, letting them dry thoroughly between applications. After applying the samples, observe them under different lighting conditions throughout the day—natural light in the morning, afternoon, and artificial light in the evening—to see how the colors change and feel in your home. You can also place your room’s decor elements, like furniture and fabrics, near the painted sections to assess how they complement each other.
Living with the samples for a few days will give you the chance to experience the colors in various situations, which can help you make a choice that fits both the aesthetic and atmosphere you want to create. As you narrow it down to your top choices, consider painting them side by side for a straightforward comparison or asking for a second opinion. Feedback from friends, family, or a painting contractor might offer new insights and help you pick a color that you’ll love for years to come.
Schedule Your Oklahoma City House Painting Services!
Selecting the right paint colors is a crucial step in transforming your house into a dream home. But by considering color psychology, complementary color schemes, and testing paint samples, you’ll be well on your way to making an informed decision that reflects your unique taste and personality.
If you’re ready to embark on your house painting project in Oklahoma City but aren’t sure what colors to choose or where to start, don’t worry! We’re here to help. At Paint It OKC, our professional team of house painters is dedicated to helping you select the perfect paint colors for your home and delivering a flawless finish.
Contact us today to schedule your OKC house painting services and discover how we can help turn your vision into a reality!