Choosing Interior Paint Colors

Choosing interior paint colors is a major decision in any decorating plan. After all, everyone who lives in the home will be looking at the colors day after day for a long time to come. To choose the best colors for an interior, its important to know the basic color families and how they can affect the look of the room.

Instructions

1. Start by visiting paint stores and getting color chips or wheels. These can show you the many, many shades available of each color. This will give you a better idea of what is available and may take you in new color directions that you hadn’t considered before. Hold the chips up to the walls and think about what it would be like to see that color each day.

2. Decide on a color family. Colors are often divided into cool colors and warm colors. The cool colors include purple, blue and green. These colors invoke a sense of calm in most people. They are perfect colors for a bedroom or for a room that you use for relaxation. Warm colors include the pinks, oranges and reds that brighten up a room and give it a little excitement. They are perfect for kitchens and other spaces that needs brightening.

3. Make sure that the colors coordinate well with the other décor in the room. The colors should go well with the furniture and should not be a color that clashes with any of the design elements of the room.

4. Understand the impact of certain shades of color. Darker colors will always make the room appear to be smaller. Lighter colors may make the room look larger. Using a white or an off-white usually makes a room feel light and airy and will coordinate well with most types of décor.

5. Get the paint color you choose in the finish that’s right for you. If you are painting the walls, a matte color is generally considered the best finish. It will keep the wall from showing all of its minute imperfections. A glossy finish may be used for trim, baseboards and other small details in the room.