15/01/2013
Painting is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to add instant liveliness to your rooms. The effect you get depends on the color you choose. But, choosing the right paint color can be overwhelming, sure you can always paint over, but that doesn't make picking the color that you'll see everyday any easier. It's harder to visualize the perfect shade, and that's scary. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ease the process.
- Color is always more intense on the wall than it is on a tiny paint chip. When you find a chip you love, go a shade lighter, or a bit murkier, to keep the color from overwhelming your room.
- You'll see options for flat, satin, and glossy paints. Save the glossy stuff for your trim. Satin is good for bouncing light around the room, but it will highlight any flaws on your walls. If your walls aren't in perfect condition, flat paint will help hide the problems.
- When choosing furniture and accessories, choose the fabrics first. This allows you to take any color from the fabric and use it on the walls. It's a simple matter to take a swatch to the paint store and have any color matched.
- Art galleries typically choose white or pale gray backgrounds so the focus stays on the artwork. If your art and furnishings aren't as fine as you'd wish, do just the opposite and use rich, intense color on your walls. If you make color your focal point and first impression, those tatty pieces you can't wait to replace won't be nearly as noticeable.
- If your room gets lots of sun, even too much sun, cool it down by painting the walls with a cool color. Likewise, if your room feels too cold, warm it up with a warm paint like a dark, rich color may also work, especially if you want to add drama, warmth and elegance. The way we see a room affects the way we feel inside it, and you can balance the extremes with the right color.
- White is the safe choice in case of ceilings, it's bright, and it makes the ceiling look higher. But you don't have to stick with white, though, add a few drops of your wall color to the can of ceiling paint. This tints the white just enough to make for a good transition.