Choosing interior paint colors can make or break the style and appeal of a space. The right colors can transform a room by creating a cozy retreat, an open and airy feel, or dramatic highlights whereas, the wrong color can terribly affect your mood. In this article, let’s explore how to decide on the right paint colors for interior rooms.
Determine The Room’s Purpose
The first step is to determine the primary purpose and usage of the room. Living rooms and bedrooms may call for warm and cozy colors, while home offices and kitchens prefer brighter and more energizing shades. Examine how much natural light the room gets and if you want to accentuate or downplay it. The room’s purpose will guide your choice of color temperature, intensity, and tone.
Consider The Adjacent Rooms
Choose paint colors that flow well from one room to the next. For open floor plans, select colors that complement each other for a cohesive look. For rooms with an open doorway, choose colors that make a subtle transition. Look at the floor plan and traffic flow to determine the visual relationship between rooms. Tie spaces together with a common color scheme or choose a different palette for each room if a more defined separation is desired.
Pick A Color Scheme
Consider the color wheel to develop a pleasing color scheme for your house painting. Analogous colors like yellow, yellow-green, and green create harmony. Complementary colors such as blue and orange provide contrast. Triadic colors are three equally spaced colors on the color wheel, offering balance and vibrancy. You can also select a pre-made color palette from paint manufacturers for foolproof coordination. Choose colors in the same color family and intensity for the most cohesive scheme.
Select An Accent Wall
An accent wall painted in a bold or complementary shade creates a focal point in the room. Choose the wall that is most visible and impactful. The accent color should be in the same color family as the main colors but a few shades darker or brighter. Navy blue, forest green, or charcoal shades are classic accent wall color options. For a lighter touch, opt for tonal variations of your main color with a touch more saturation.
Figure Out The Sheen
The finish sheen depends on the room’s purpose and surfaces. Eggshell or satin paint is ideal for most interior walls as they provide enough sheen for washability and hide imperfections but are not glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens benefit from satin or semi-gloss which can stand up to moisture and stains. Ceilings often look best in flat or eggshell sheen which minimizes glare and shadows. Interior doors and trim take well to semi-gloss or glossy paint which provides an enamel-like finish.
Buy Paint Samples And Test
Purchase paint samples or color swatches in your desired colors and sheens. Observe them on the walls at different times of day under various lighting conditions. Look for how the colors complement each other, the furnishings, and the interior décor. See if any colors feel out of place. You can also buy pint-sized paint samples and do larger test swaths on the walls to get a better sense of how the full shade looks in the space before committing. Make sure to evaluate both the main and accent colors together.
Tweak And Finalize
Based on how the samples and test swatches look in the room, make any necessary adjustments to the colors or sheens. You may need to re-sample revised options. Once you have finalized your color choices, purchase the paint and necessary tools and supplies to start transforming your interior rooms with a fresh new look!