While this may not seem very obvious for those who haven’t tried it yet, choosing a paint color is a challenging task. The sheer number of options for available paint colors can make it quite overwhelming to decide on, especially considering that you also need to ensure that the color fits in with your interior design.
Think picking a single color is the safest choice? Think again.
We are only taught about a few basic colors while in kindergarten, but as we grow older we discover that when it comes to paint, colors come in different variations. This complicates what you initially think would be the simple task of choosing a paint color. Shopping for white paint, for example, isn’t as straightforward as you think.
So, before you choose a color of paint for your walls, floor, or ceiling for a specific room in the house, make sure that you’re not making the following blunders:
Mistake #1: Not Picking a Color That Evokes Emotion
While the task of picking the right paint hue can be challenging, it shouldn’t cause you to experience anxiety. In fact, it can become a fun process where you can express yourself in an unusual way.
While painting a room has a major impact on the way it would appear, it shouldn’t be considered a permanent thing. Change is the only permanent thing in this world, so it can be reasonable to expect that you could have a change in preference in the future, too.
To avoid regretting your color choice later, avoid overthinking and simply go with a paint color that you can live with seeing every day.
Pick hues that evoke strong emotion. One great trick is to let paint names guide you through the process. Of course, you shouldn’t make it the only factor you consider – you have to look at how it would work in the space as well.
Mistake #2: Not Thinking About Natural Light
Many people choose dark colors for a room because they feel it would make a bold statement. However, this often leads to a lack of natural light that can make a room feel depressing and cramped.
To avoid making this mistake, always consider the available natural light in the room. Instead of painting it all indigo, why not pick a lighter shade of paint for the ceiling and three of the walls? Then, you can paint one side a darker hue to achieve that bold look you’re after without compromising natural light.
Mistake #3: Relying Too Much on Trends
Trends are there to guide you on your paint color choice, but you should never let it run the show.
Rather than relying too much on those trendy room paints you see on the Internet or in magazines, pick colors that you would want to see every day. Again, this doesn’t need to be permanent. However, the fact remains that you’ll have to live with it for an extended period, so you have to make sure it’s pleasing to your eyes.
Of course, you can still incorporate those trendy hues in your interior design by throwing in elements that can be easily replaced. This can range from curtains and draperies to carpets and pillow covers. The key is to add small doses of those popular colors instead of repainting the entire room a new hue every time new trends come along.
Mistake #4: Picking Hues That Are Too Bright
Like dark hues, bright colors often draw people in because of how they appear in magazines and blogs. However, these colors have a tendency to overwhelm the room and can cause tiny spaces to look even smaller. These can also become visually uncomfortable.
So, unless you’re repainting an expansive space that is well-lit and airy, you should think again before painting a room a bright orange or a neon green.
Mistake #5: Playing Safe
Although you shouldn’t go overboard with bold and bright colors, playing it safe too much is also not recommended. If you chose a color palette filled with neutrals, remember to always add at least one stronger color to add contrast and make the room more interesting and less boring.
Mistake #6: Using Too Many Colors Together
Anything in excess can have an unpleasant effect. Although it may not be directly applicable in choosing a paint color for a room, it certainly is true for having too many similar colors within a single space.
Choosing paint in the same color family as the fabrics in a room might make it either too strong or too dull. The key is to look for a grayed-out shade of the hue. While this still means you’ll have a similar color on your walls and fabrics, it would at least tone down the uniformity a bit for a more aesthetically pleasing interior.
Mistake #7: Not Sampling Paint
When choosing a paint color, you need to consider light and establish balance across all color spectrums. To factor all these in, you mustn’t forget to sample paint colors and test whether they complement the space and the other elements already existing within it.
To do this, you can get adhesive samples that can be easily moved. If it doesn’t work, at least you won’t need to repaint the sampled spot.
Leave samples in the room and check how the colors appear throughout the day to see how they interact with natural light. It is also wise to move the samples around and place these in different walls to determine how the colors affect the room.
Maintain Color Balance
Before you get clever with your room color, make sure that you understand how to use paint products to their fullest and create a balanced color palette. Take inspiration from magazines, the Internet, and paint showrooms to get an idea of how to choose paint for any room in your home, but always remember to test it out on the actual space.
To learn more about the best color for your space, talk to our team at Equipaint today.