A fresh coat of paint has the power to completely transform your living space, but the right color scheme is equally crucial. Here are six tips to guide you in choosing the perfect colors for your home:
1. Keep it Cohesive:
- Avoid using too many colors. A broad spectrum can make your space look busy and detract from your furniture and decor.
2. Tone Down Brights:
- While vibrant colors can add style, steer clear of neon palettes. Opt for hues that are lively yet sophisticated.
3. Reflect Your Personality:
- Choose colors that embody your personality and complement your style. Your living space should feel like an extension of yourself.
4. Plan Your Color Scheme:
- Create your color scheme before making purchases. Ensure that wall colors, flooring, and furniture work harmoniously.
5. Choose the Right Sheen:
- Consider the sheen of the paint. Matte finishes can hide imperfections, while glossier finishes reflect more light, brightening smaller spaces.
6. Test Colors First:
- Purchase a small amount of each color to test on your walls. Paint a square and observe how it looks in different lighting over a few days.
For specific color suggestions, here are insights from Sherwin Williams based on color placement:
RED:
- Ceilings: Weighty and annoying.
- Walls: Advancing and energetic.
- Floors: Confident.
PINK:
- Ceilings: Soft hues are delicate and comfortable.
- Walls: Complimentary to skin tones when soft. Dramatic when vivid tones are used.
- Floors: For select and special spaces.
ORANGE:
- Ceilings: Energizing and advancing.
- Walls: Soft peachy tones are warm. Bright tones are energetic, burnt orange shades are rich.
- Floors: Creates movement.
BROWN:
- Ceiling: Dark hues work in high, open ceilings. Soft hues create a neutral backdrop.
- Walls: Mid-tone and dark hues evoke richness. Soft hues are natural.
- Floors: Implies durability, stability, and reliability.
YELLOW:
- Ceiling: Light hue is luminous and reflective.
- Walls: Warm if a golden hue.
- Floors: Bright hues are distracting and agitating.
GREEN:
- Ceiling: Protective, but reflection on skin tone can be unattractive.
- Walls: Safe, calm, reliable. Yellow-based hues create warmth, blue-based hues tend to be cool.
- Floors: Natural, soft, and relaxing up to a certain saturation point.
BLUE:
- Ceiling: Soft shades are cool and heavenly. Dark hues give the illusion of advancement.
- Walls: Pale to mid-tone shades are soothing. Darker hues provide a dramatic backdrop.
- Floors: Movement with darker hues, effortless movement with lighter hues.
GRAY:
- Ceiling: Shaded, creates shadows.
- Walls: Bland to neutral, cool.
- Floors: Neutral, blends into a space.
WHITE:
- Ceiling: Blank, creates lightness, reflects light.
- Walls: Neutral to empty, clean.
- Floors: Intimidating.
BLACK:
- Ceiling: Heavy but works well for exposed ceilings.
- Walls: Threatening or dramatic.
- Floors: Unusual and absorbing.
Transform your living space with confidence by incorporating these color tips into your next painting project.