Choosing Paint Colors

paint colors

There are difficult decisions, and then there's choosing paint colors. The overwhelming range of available color choices, plus the difficulty of pinning down your personal color preferences makes this a daunting task.

For color inspiration, there are an ever growing number of websites where you can find popular colors and color combinations. For exterior painting color choices, you can also look at nearby homes to get an idea of your particular preference for color schemes. There is also a color visualizer tool'My PaintColors' on our corporate website, where you can go as far as uploading a picture of your property and experimenting with different color choices.

If you have a main color in mind, but are unsure of additional colors. Using a color wheel can be a good idea. Nearby colors can be used for a monochromatic effect, whereas colors on opposite sides are complementary.

Once you have a good idea of the colors you'd like to try, you can give them a test run on the surface you want to paint. Paint samples are a great way to see how a particular color or color combination will work. After allowing sufficient time for the sample patch to fully dry, take the time to check the color at various times of the day to see how it looks in varying light conditions.

Choosing Exterior Paint Colors:

  • Drive through nearby neighborhoods, to see color in action. Take pictures of appealing exterior paint colors and consider their adaptability to your own home.
  • Define the entry — use exterior paint color as a welcome sign to your home. A bold color paint color on your front door can be a good choice.
  • Consider the exterior colors that won't change like roofing shingles, brick, slate or stonework. Choose colors that incorporate or complement these fixed tones.
  • Look to use use contrasting, or accent paint colors to enhance architectural details.
  • Balance is important between light and deep colors, as well as warm and cool colors; consider not just the exterior paint color scheme, but also the elements that make up the home surroundings.

Choosing Interior Paint Colors:

  • Decide on the mood you want to create in the room. Warmer tones are friendly and inviting. Cooler tones create calm and relaxing spaces.
  • Keeping the trim all one color provides nice continuity as you move from room to room. Bright white in a semi- or full-gloss creates a very formal look, a creamier tone will soften the effect.
  • If you want your furniture, carpets, and artwork to be the focal points of the room, avoid bold paint color choices which will compete with the furnishings for attention. Neutral tones are a safe choice in these cases.
  • Darker paint colors make rooms seem smaller, so be especially careful choosing these if the room has little natural light or low ceilings.
  • Adding a slightly lighter tint of the color you choose for the walls to the ceiling creates an intimate environment. This is often a good choice for dining rooms and master bedrooms.
  • Think about 'flow' and how the colors of neighboring rooms will work together. Very dark to very light transitions, or transitions from rooms with highly contrasting colors can be either jarring or invigorating.
  • Wet rooms (kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms) and hallways benefit from having paints applied that can be scrubbed. While these can now be purchased in flat finishes, the satin and egg-shell finishes will resist the absorption of moisture from cooking and cleaning more effectively.

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