How to pick the perfect paint color
I’m currently in the process of redecorating my living room. I purchased my condo 7 years ago and I’m finally launch a project I’ve been wanting to do for years. Today I’m kicking off part of my After Sunday Dinner at Home series. Each post takes you step by step in the home renovation process. Today we are discussing paint colors. A big part of my living room makeover is the installation of my new accent wall. For months, I’ve been researching batten and board walls, which is a grid panel accent wall. I finally hired a contractor to install the wall a few weeks ago. The first question he asked me was “what paint color do you want?” I knew going into this room makeover project that I wanted the space to feel timeless, relaxing, and glam, all elements of my personal style. So I decided to make a bold move and go with a Navy blue, the color of the year.
Whew, Chile! No one told me how overwhelming selecting a paint color could be. When I ventured into Home Depot, I had no clue what I was in for. I knew I wanted a blue paint color but didn’t know how difficult it would be to select a shade. There are so many paint swatches to choose from and after you’ve looked at hundreds they all start to look the same. I walked into the store with one intention and walked out with 20 different shades of blue. I quickly learned that you shouldn’t rush into picking a paint color. Here a few steps I recommend taking to pick the perfect paint color:
Select a color family
Use the color wheel to determine what color family you want to choose from. The easiest way to select a color paint is to go with a color that you know you love and will work well with your existing room. Do you want a neutral paint color or something that’s a little bolder? Whatever you choose make sure it’s something you’ll want for a while because the cost of paint isn’t cheap.
Determine your finish
When talking to my contractor about the color I selected, he brought up the question about paint finishes. This prompted a quick educational session for myself. There are five types of paint finishes flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. Choosing the right paint finish is important because certain finishes will show imperfections in the paint more than others. We decided to go with a semi-gloss for my accent wall.
Test the paint color before committing
Once you’ve narrowed down your options to 2-3 shades, head back to the paint store and pick up a few samples. After you’ve picked up the samples, head home and test out each color on your selected area. This will help you continue to narrow down your paint selection.
Consider how it will look in lighting
Look at your paint swatches at different times throughout the day before committing to a paint color. I made a constant attempt to look at each swatch during the morning and the evening.
Do your research and consider the bigger picture
I recommend doing a search on the Internet, Pinterest, and Instagram to see how the color you’ve selected looks in other spaces. I had several top contenders on my list and I quickly decided they weren’t for me based on how they looked in other rooms. Some blues are made for outdoor space and not indoor spaces.
Do you find selecting a paint color extremely difficult? or Do you have any tips to share? Leave a comment below.
