Choosing Paint Colors

The task of choosing paint colors is enough to make anyone nervous. Nearly everyone who has ever painted a room has chosen a paint color they thought would be perfect, brought it home, and applied it, only to discover when the paint dried, it was not at all the color they wanted or thought it would be. However, there are a few tips that can help you choose the right color and shade of paint for any room in your home without ending up disappointed or having to live with a color you really dislike.

Decide what type of atmosphere and look you want to create in the room you will be painting. Do you want an ultra modern look, a country effect, or a simply something warm, cozy and relaxing. The type of atmosphere that you are trying to create will have a direct link on the color of paint that you choose. Neutral colors are often used to create a restful feel in a room, while monochromatic coloring can really give a room an ultra modern look. So, the first order of business is deciding the right atmosphere for the room.

Next, you want to take a look at the furniture for the room. If you have a busy looking sofa and armchairs with a wide array of colors, you are going to want to choose one color for your room to highlight in your furniture and use one or two of the other colors for accents around your room. If your furniture is plain and a rather neutral or even drab color then you may want to choose a color that livens up the room while harmonizing with your furniture colors.

Don't assume that the color the paint looks to be in the store will look the same on the walls of your home. Store lightening is often different from home lighting. So, how the paint looks on those sample cards will not look exactly the same in your home. Your best bet is purchase a small can of the color of paint that attracts you and go home and paint a board and set it in the room you intend to paint. View it both in sunlight and by artificial lightening to see if it is what you want or if perhaps you might want a slightly different shade or an all together different color. Actually seeing the color against your walls, next to furniture and in the various changing light of your home is the only way to be sure that the color is exactly what you want.

There are many other factors that will determine how and what color you choose. Taking your time and exploring some of the many colors and shades available, taking the time to carefully consider your choices, and actually trying out a sample of the color in your home for a few days will help you to find the right color that suits you and your room.