Julie-Ann
08-12-2009, 09:19 AM
Here are some "Do's" that may help you to choose paint colours.
Choose Your Paint Colour Last
When decorating a room choose the upholstered pieces, carpet and any fabric you want to use first. Choose the paint colour last because you can so easily find a paint colour to work with your fabrics. These days they can even create a paint colour to coordinate with your other choices.
Make Your Own Choices
As a Interior Designer I would obviously recommend you hire a Designer or Paint Consultant to help you chose your paint colours. They can save you a small fortune by preventing mistakes. But I do always stress to my clients that it is their home and they need to live with the choices. So make sure that you select colours that you would enjoy living with. If you like rooms very neutral or very bold then follow your heart.
Keep in Mind the Psychology of Color
Colour makes a big difference to how we feel in a room, so it is something to keep in mind. I wouldn’t suggest you paint a bedroom bright red. But bright colours are great as an accent in a toy room.
Use Bolder Colours as Accents
Bolder colours can be used for your accessories and as an accent. If you like bolder colours it doesn’t mean you have to paint all 4 walls in that bold colour. Bold colours really “pop” against more neutral backgrounds.
Remember Undertones
Colours have undertones. For example beige can have a pink, purple, green, or blue undertone and in different lights these undertones can become more obvious.
Do a Large Sample of Your Paint
Before spending money on a large can of paint buy a sample pot first. Purchase a piece of A3 card and paint it with 2 coats from the sample pot. Use a roller if you are going to use a roller when painting your walls, so as to get the identical coverage. I always leave a border of the white card when I paint, so the existing colour of your walls doesn’t affect the new paint choice. Tack the painted A3 card to the wall and view it at different times of the day and under different light conditions
If you have any other "Do's" for choosing paint colours we would love to hear them. You can never have too many tips
Choose Your Paint Colour Last
When decorating a room choose the upholstered pieces, carpet and any fabric you want to use first. Choose the paint colour last because you can so easily find a paint colour to work with your fabrics. These days they can even create a paint colour to coordinate with your other choices.
Make Your Own Choices
As a Interior Designer I would obviously recommend you hire a Designer or Paint Consultant to help you chose your paint colours. They can save you a small fortune by preventing mistakes. But I do always stress to my clients that it is their home and they need to live with the choices. So make sure that you select colours that you would enjoy living with. If you like rooms very neutral or very bold then follow your heart.
Keep in Mind the Psychology of Color
Colour makes a big difference to how we feel in a room, so it is something to keep in mind. I wouldn’t suggest you paint a bedroom bright red. But bright colours are great as an accent in a toy room.
Use Bolder Colours as Accents
Bolder colours can be used for your accessories and as an accent. If you like bolder colours it doesn’t mean you have to paint all 4 walls in that bold colour. Bold colours really “pop” against more neutral backgrounds.
Remember Undertones
Colours have undertones. For example beige can have a pink, purple, green, or blue undertone and in different lights these undertones can become more obvious.
Do a Large Sample of Your Paint
Before spending money on a large can of paint buy a sample pot first. Purchase a piece of A3 card and paint it with 2 coats from the sample pot. Use a roller if you are going to use a roller when painting your walls, so as to get the identical coverage. I always leave a border of the white card when I paint, so the existing colour of your walls doesn’t affect the new paint choice. Tack the painted A3 card to the wall and view it at different times of the day and under different light conditions
If you have any other "Do's" for choosing paint colours we would love to hear them. You can never have too many tips