Rebecca Decorates

Rebecca Decorates

How To Choose the Right Paint Colour

When it comes to decorating, choosing the paint colour can really be a challenge. While you may feel that there are so many choices, youíre bound to find the right one, you may end up feeling that there are so many choices that you donít even know where to start!

These tips will help you if you are stumped by colour. Remember that paint colour is important as it will set the tone for your whole room.

Be Patient: Itís great to collect paint chips when planning a room but hold off making final choices until you have developed an overall room scheme. Paint is available in an infinite array of colours and it is the most versatile element of your room dÈcor, the easiest to change and the least expensive. It is important to remember to make the final decisions only after rugs, wallpaper and fabrics are finalized.
Coordinate Decorating Samples: When you go shopping, youíll need to refer to you fabric, carpet, tile, wallpaper and trim samples constantly. Be sure to take everything with you wherever you go. You never know when you might see something you love!
Really Study The Colours: Youíll find clues about the underlying tones of different shades of a colour on a full sample strip of coordinating colours. Even if youíre not considering using a darker tones, look at all the colours carefully. Decide if the family of colours is the direction youíre headed with your colour selection.
Tried And True Formula For Colours: If youíre working with a print fabric, youíll probably be happier if you select the coordinating wall paint colour from the background of the print. Use the deeper or brighter tines for accents throughout the room or adjacent spaces.
Trim It Out: More often than not, youíll select a shade of white or off-white for the mouldings, doors and windows. If you are feeling brave, consider the palest shade of colour to coordinate with the walls. For a really striking look, try lighter walls and dark tones or bright colours for trim.
Choose the Paint Finish For the Job: Consider which paint finish might be best for your project. Matte or flat finishes hide wall imperfections but glossier finishes will reflect more light
Warm or Cool? : Colours are often referred to as ìwarmî or ìcoolî. Orange, red and pink are warm colours, while blues, greens and violet are thought to be cool. Knowing the theory behind colour can help you select the right tone for the feel which you are trying to achieve.
White is not Always White: Trying to find the perfect white can be a challenge. Beiges and off whites have a subtle colour so compare paint chips to your fabrics and flooring to determine if a warmer pinkish or yellow toned white, or cooler bluer white is best for your room.
Shed A Little Light: The best way to get a true view of a paint colour is to look at it in many lights. Take the paint chip outside to see it in natural light. Look at under incandescent and fluorescent light. Best yet, take the paint chip, fabrics and accessories to the room in which theyíll live. Check out the colours there. It is always helpful to have as big a paint sample as possible, tack it to the wall and watch how it changes in the room depending on the time of day.
Look Up At The Ceiling: Light colours are usually more pleasing for a ceiling because ceilings are seen in shadow. If you would like the ceiling to match the wall colour have the paint supplier tint the ceiling paint one or two shades lighter than the wall colour. Or, dilute your wall colour with white paint in a ratio of 25% colour to 75% white.