10 Tips for Choosing Color

• Lighting is different in the paint store then it is in your home. When you find a color you like test it in your own space before you buy a large quantity.

• Color is as much about accessories, furniture and upholstery as it is about paint. Consider your entire pallet when picking a wall color and their relationships with one another.

• Bold, spicy colors really make a statement and demand attention. Keep your accessories simple so
they don’t compete.

• Color doesn’t have to leap out at you to have a visual effect. Combining neutral colors with different textures will be visually stimulating.

• Lighter, less saturated colors will make a room feel air and appear larger. Deeper, more intense colors will pull the walls in around you making a room feel cozier.

• Natural shades like earthy greens and browns are easy colors to mix and match given that you would
find them together in nature.

• Color makes a greater impact when it flows naturally from room to room. You can achieve this by
painting the trim the same color or having the color of the floor flow throughout the house.

• Keep substantial items like the sofa and flooring neutral, so you don’t have to start over every time your taste changes. Altering your wall color is definitely more cost effective then swapping out your big-ticket items.

• Don’t forget the ceiling. It is another surface in the room that needs consideration. A safe way to pick a ceiling color is choose a lighter version of the wall color. If the ceiling is over 8 feet you may think about painting it darker.

• Prep work is tedious but in the end it saves a lot of aggravation. Start by clearing the furniture out of the room and repairing any imperfections in the walls. Remove light switch and plug covers. Mask off any areas you don’t want painted with tape and tarp the floors.

Danielle Hirsch
Paint Contractor & Color Expert
Host/Co-host HGTV Color Splash

Comments

[Adrienne Breaux]

Great article I've been a designer for years, but I still get nervous when choosing paint colors sometimes. These are good tips for anyone of any design skill level to look over once and a while.