How To: Choose a Paint Color
At Steel String Painting, we understand that choosing the right color for your space can be daunting! Color can make or break the look and feel of your living space. We’ve put together a few tips to help you choose the perfect hue for your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere else you spend your time.
1. Find inspiration in your furniture, artwork and decor.
If you’re planning on keeping the same rugs and furniture in the room you’re painting, take a look at some of the colors that already fill your space. Pull a color from the rug or sofa, and consider using it as an accent wall (or even for the whole room!). The delicate green mixed into the design on a favorite rug or the gray in your cozy throw pillows could be the perfect color for your walls. When selected with care, paint and the furniture can work in tandem to tie a room together.
2. Use a color visualization app.
There are plenty of apps available that allow you to see how colors will look in your home. With Colorsnap by Sherwin-Williams, you can match colors from photos, play with daytime and nighttime lighting, and receive suggestions for coordinating or similar colors.
3. Always get a color sample. Always.
We can’t stress this enough! Sherwin-Williams, Lowes, and Home Depot all offer color samples that you can take home and paint on your walls. When you’ve narrowed it down to two or three choices, get samples of each one and try them out in your space! Colors can look drastically different in various settings due to lighting and decor, so paint a section of your wall to see how it will look in your room.
4. Sheen is important!
We know there are always exceptions, but generally speaking: ceilings are flat, walls are flat or eggshell, and trim is semigloss. A flat sheen will prevent seeing a glare from light sources, so it’s great for ceilings and walls. Eggshell or satin both provide a modest shine and are easier to clean, so some people prefer to use those sheens in a kitchen, bathroom, or toddler’s bedroom. Semigloss is easiest to clean and will make things “pop,” so it’s perfect for trim, doors, and cabinets.
5. When in doubt, consult.
If you’re totally unsure of what colors will look good in your home, consider hiring an interior designer, or ask a friend for their opinion. A trained or fresh set of eyes can provide insight into what colors will look great in your living space.
By David Wilson of Steel String Painting
