By Emily Morrison: WhatEmilyDoes.com
What better way to refresh a room (or house!) than updating the paint color?
We’ve often heard that painting is the cheapest way to change up a room, and
while the definition of “cheap” is relative, I agree that it is the most cost effective
way to drastically change a space. Now that fall is approaching, the weather couldn’t
be more perfect to open some windows and get to painting.
I have learned the hard way when it comes to picking paint colors, meaning I’ve picked MANY wrong colors over the years. When we bought our first fixer upper, the first paint color I picked out was a beautiful shade of gray, except once it was on the wall it wasn’t gray at all. It was purple! I knew nothing about undertones and warm vs. cool colors and I lived with shiny (yes, I didn’t even know what sheen of paint to use back then) purply/blue/gray walls for about two years before finally repainting them a month before we sold the house.
So what should you do to pick the right color the first time and avoid the hassle of repainting? Here are a few tips I learned along the way to help you choose the right color the first time:
1. SAMPLE. SAMPLE. SAMPLE. I wrote that 3 times on purpose. I have found that testing three colors at a time is a great way to see what you like and don’t like. Please don’t let the $6 or less sample costs deter you. Plan for it in your budget and it may save you the time and money of repainting an entire room that you don’t like after it’s finished. Your paint swatch should be at least one square foot (1ft2), the bigger the better, and on at least two different walls to compare the swatches in different light. Observe the swatches at different times of the day to see how the color changes from morning sun, to dusk, to the dark of night.
2. DON’T TRUST ONLINE IMAGES. Online images are a good start, but be sure to follow through with a sample because it may surprise you how different that color looks in the model room you pinned on Pinterest verses in your living room. The variance could come from your phone or computer screen not showing the color accurately, but most often it’s because photographers edit their photos. They make them lighter or darker, more saturated or less saturated, etc. These editing techniques may drastically change the original color.
3. CUSTOMIZE IT. Have you found a color you really like, but you just want it to be lighter or less saturated? No problem! You can ask your local paint store to mix a color at 50% for a lighter version of the original. Don’t be afraid to talk to the people behind the counter and explain what you’re looking for. They’re usually happy to assist!
4. PICK THE RIGHT SHEEN. (source: Sherwin Williams)
Flat: A non-reflective appearance that helps hide surface blemishes, making walls look smooth. This finish is ideal for: adult bedrooms, dining rooms, formal living rooms, & ceilings
Satin: With its slight gloss, this finish offers the benefits of a richer look. It works best for high-traffic areas such as: halls, woodwork, children’s bedrooms, & family rooms
Semi-Gloss: This lustrous, durable finish is perfect for areas that get cleaned frequently, such as: kitchens, bathrooms, utility areas, closet doors, & trim
Gloss: This lustrous, durable finish is great for windows, doors and trim or any area that you would like to highlight and is excellent for: wood trim, cabinets, doors, & furniture
Now take these tips and get to painting!
What better way to refresh a room (or house!) than updating the paint color?
We’ve often heard that painting is the cheapest way to change up a room, and
while the definition of “cheap” is relative, I agree that it is the most cost effective
way to drastically change a space. Now that fall is approaching, the weather couldn’t
be more perfect to open some windows and get to painting.
I have learned the hard way when it comes to picking paint colors, meaning I’ve picked MANY wrong colors over the years. When we bought our first fixer upper, the first paint color I picked out was a beautiful shade of gray, except once it was on the wall it wasn’t gray at all. It was purple! I knew nothing about undertones and warm vs. cool colors and I lived with shiny (yes, I didn’t even know what sheen of paint to use back then) purply/blue/gray walls for about two years before finally repainting them a month before we sold the house.
So what should you do to pick the right color the first time and avoid the hassle of repainting? Here are a few tips I learned along the way to help you choose the right color the first time:
1. SAMPLE. SAMPLE. SAMPLE. I wrote that 3 times on purpose. I have found that testing three colors at a time is a great way to see what you like and don’t like. Please don’t let the $6 or less sample costs deter you. Plan for it in your budget and it may save you the time and money of repainting an entire room that you don’t like after it’s finished. Your paint swatch should be at least one square foot (1ft2), the bigger the better, and on at least two different walls to compare the swatches in different light. Observe the swatches at different times of the day to see how the color changes from morning sun, to dusk, to the dark of night.
2. DON’T TRUST ONLINE IMAGES. Online images are a good start, but be sure to follow through with a sample because it may surprise you how different that color looks in the model room you pinned on Pinterest verses in your living room. The variance could come from your phone or computer screen not showing the color accurately, but most often it’s because photographers edit their photos. They make them lighter or darker, more saturated or less saturated, etc. These editing techniques may drastically change the original color.
3. CUSTOMIZE IT. Have you found a color you really like, but you just want it to be lighter or less saturated? No problem! You can ask your local paint store to mix a color at 50% for a lighter version of the original. Don’t be afraid to talk to the people behind the counter and explain what you’re looking for. They’re usually happy to assist!
4. PICK THE RIGHT SHEEN. (source: Sherwin Williams)
Flat: A non-reflective appearance that helps hide surface blemishes, making walls look smooth. This finish is ideal for: adult bedrooms, dining rooms, formal living rooms, & ceilings
Satin: With its slight gloss, this finish offers the benefits of a richer look. It works best for high-traffic areas such as: halls, woodwork, children’s bedrooms, & family rooms
Semi-Gloss: This lustrous, durable finish is perfect for areas that get cleaned frequently, such as: kitchens, bathrooms, utility areas, closet doors, & trim
Gloss: This lustrous, durable finish is great for windows, doors and trim or any area that you would like to highlight and is excellent for: wood trim, cabinets, doors, & furniture
Now take these tips and get to painting!