5 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Paint Colour For Your Home

A brand new paint job can do wonders for a home. What once looked dull and old can suddenly become exciting and new. But it’s one thing to want to paint your walls, and another thing to actually do it. Any trip to Bunnings will show you that painting your house isn’t as easy as it might seem. For one, you have to decide on a colour, which seems like an impossible task in the face of hundreds and thousands of different swatches. 

So, how do you narrow down a paint colour when there are quite literally thousands of options to choose from? With some simple tips, making this decision doesn’t have to be super difficult. In this article, we’ll share with you some of our top tips for choosing paint colours for your home, so that you’ll end up with a colour (and a wall) that you absolutely love. 

What’s the lighting like?

A key skill to have when it comes to home design and decorating is to be able to understand light. Light colours can open up a room, while darker colours can help to create a cosier or more intimate space, so have a think about the overall mood you want to design for your space. It’s important to also remember that light will make colours look different under different conditions. A filament-based incandescent light will emit warmer tones while fluorescent lights like LEDs emit sharper, blue tones. If you want true colours, then natural light is your best bet. 

You’ll only be able to perceive colours and tones if there is sufficient lighting. This means that if you paint a dark room white, then it’ll likely come out as a dull grey. So, before you even get to picking exact colours, it’s a good idea to figure out the lighting situation first. Consider where the light source is coming from (i.e. a window? A light?) and how much light the room receives. Do this at the start because it’s no good falling in love with the perfect colour and then realising that it looks terrible under the lighting. 

Consider the room size

The size of the room will also dictate the final look of a paint colour. That bright pattern may have looked great in Architectural Digest, but would it look so great in your corridor? You should always consider the size of the space you’re working with before you make a decision on your paint colours. In small spaces, bright shades and patterns can be overwhelming and can make the space feel too crowded. If you’d like to play with colour in smaller spaces, you’re better off doing so with cushions, rugs, and other decor. 

Small rooms also do well with paints that have high reflectance value (LRV). These types of paints reflect and diffuse natural light around the room to create brighter, more expansive spaces. Your local painter will have plenty of recommendations to give you if this is what you’re after.

How does it match with the rest of your home?

Unless you want to completely overhaul your existing furniture and decor, it’s always a good idea to base your paint decisions off what you already have. You might love the look of a certain colour, but if it doesn’t go well with your furniture or decor, then it’s just not going to work out. Remember, it’s much less expensive to make your walls match with your furniture and flooring than vice versa. 

You can paint a small poster board and hold it up against your furniture to get an idea of how they’ll match together. You don’t want things to clash, so look for colours that complement one another. If colour matching isn’t really your thing, don’t worry – our experienced painters will help you pick the perfect paint to go with the fixtures and furnishings in your home. 

What purpose does the room serve?

Colour psychology is an amazing thing. Believe it or not, but colours can actually affect your mood in powerful and subliminal ways. That’s why it’s a good idea to think about what you use the room for when it comes to decisions on wall paint. For example, if you’re intending to use the room to relax, perhaps fluro colours or busy patterns won’t be the best option.

Everyone’s tastes are different, so have a think about the colours that you personally associate with certain emotions or feelings. What colours make you feel energised and happy? What colours make you feel relaxed and calm? What colours do you associate with productivity and focus? You spend hours everyday in your home, so make sure that you feel happy and comfortable in it. 

Don’t be afraid to test

In our humble opinion, there’s no such thing as too many samples. Remember, you’re better off spending a small amount of money and a little extra time testing different colours and shades than plunging straight into the paint job and realising that you don’t like the final outcome.

Don’t be afraid to go down to your local hardware or paint store to get free sample swatches and sample pots. Tape the swatches and samples to the wall and leave them there for at least a week. You might be surprised to see how different the colours look at different times of the day or under different types of lighting. Keeping them up for a longer period of time allows you to observe how the colours look in different scenarios, which is exactly the type of information you’ll need to be able to make an informed decision on paint colours. 

Ready to paint?

Our team of painters are passionate about providing excellent service to all our customers, so give Jim’s Painting a call on 13 15 46 today, or get in touch online, to tell us all about your vision for your next painting project. 

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