But, choosing paint colour can be one of the most challenging aspects of decorating your home. In fact, a recent poll by a prominent paint manufacturer found that 28 percent of consumers said choosing the right colour was the biggest challenge when shopping for interior paint. There are so many beautiful choices available these days, you may end up feeling like you don't know where to start!
The following tips are designed to help ease the worry and confusion about selecting an appropriate colour palette for your needs:
How does colour affect a room’s size?
Generally, strong, warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows tend to draw walls in and make a room feel cozier. These colours are known as advancing colours because they jump out and meet the eye. Conversely, receding colours like blue, green and violet tend to make a room look larger because they ‘stand back’ visually. These are not hard and fast rules however; strong colours such as royal blue and hunter green will make the walls more dominant, and thus closer. Small rooms are best made to appear larger by painting them white or a light neutral colour. Additionally, monochromatic colour schemes will open up a room, while contrasting colours can make the room dynamic but smaller.
What is the best way to decide which colour is best for my room?
There are many tools available these days to help consumers choose paint colour, one of which is the colour swatch. Colour swatches have undergone a substantial makeover in the last few years, as many of them are now much larger and therefore more useful.
What colour should I paint my ceiling?
Ceiling colour is purely a personal preference. Typically, white or off-white colours are used to help create the illusion of having a higher ceiling and more open space. Medium to dark colours will create the illusion of a lower ceiling and a more intimate space. To unify the room, choose a colour for the ceiling that is a tint of the wall colour.
Should trim work or mouldings be painted the same colour as the walls, or should they be printed lighter or darker than the wall colour?
To disguise ordinary or unattractive trim work, or to create a monochromatic look, use a trim colour that is the same colour as the walls. If you want to accentuate trim work, use a different colour (lighter or darker) than the walls.
Will the paint I chose look lighter or darker on the wall?
Over a larger surface area, most colours appear darker. It’s a good idea to choose colours a shade or two lighter than what you want. Clean, bright colours can appear either lighter or darker depending on the surrounding colours and lighting in the room.
I’ve painted my room, and the colour is much bolder than I expected. Is there anything I can do to soften the colour?
You can apply a lighter or more muted colour over the original base coat using a technique such as sponging, rag rolling, or colour washing. This will visually “break up” the bolder colour and soften the look of your room.
Decorating should be fun, so try to relax and enjoy the process, as well as the end-result.
|
