Undoubtedly, adding new paint to your walls can make a world of difference; you can completely change a room by altering its paint colour, sheen, or location. It can emphasise architectural features, create a focal point, or make a blank canvas to express creativity. The trouble is, there are so many options to choose from. How do you know if you’re making the best decision? Follow these 5 tips, and finding your perfect paint will be a breeze!
1. Warm or Cool
When it comes to choosing paint colours, the possibilities are endless… Firstly you will need to consider whether you prefer warm-toned or cool-toned paints. Colours with yellow, orange, or red undertones are considered warm and make your space feel welcoming and cozy. Colours with green, blue, or purple undertones are considered cool and bring a sense of calm and relaxation.
2. Light or Dark
Always consider how you want your space to feel when picking out colours. A lighter or darker shade will impact the mood of each room. Light colours can make a room airy and bright, while dark colours create moody and dramatic environments.
3. Accent Walls
An accent wall is a great way to emphasise a focal point or unique features in your space. Finding an accent colour that compliments your primary paint colour well is quite simple; here are a couple of ways to do this…
- Choose an accent in the same colour family as your primary colour. You can experiment with saturation levels to create more or less contrast.
- Pick a bold colour… Selecting a strong, contrasting paint is another way to create depth and dimension. Mimicking your accent colour in accessories, furniture, artwork, and lighting will keep your space balanced and cohesive. Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with an accent ceiling.
4. Paint Finish
It is important to contemplate the sheen based on the item’s location and surface. Sheen refers to the level of shine or reflectiveness in the paint. There are typically five sheen levels (this can vary from brand to brand).
Flat & Matte: Non-reflective
Pros: Hides imperfections well
Cons: Difficult to clean, scuffs easily, stains easily
Typical use: Ceilings, offices, dining rooms, bedrooms, low-traffic areas
Eggshell: Low-lustre
Pros: Easy to clean, more durable than flat or matte, low sheen
Cons: Difficult to touch up
Typical use: Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, hallways, entries, high-traffic areas
Satin: Pearl-like appearance
Pros: Durable, more stain-resistant than flat, matte, and eggshell, higher glow than flat, matte, and eggshell
Cons: Shows brush strokes/roller marks, requires multiple coats
Typical use: Trims, doors, millwork, high-traffic areas
Semi-Gloss: Luminous
Pros: Durable, easy to clean, creates great dimension, great at highlighting architectural details
Cons: Shows imperfections, creates glare, requires multiple coats
Typical use: Trim, doors, millwork, architectural details, kitchens, bathrooms, high-traffic areas
High-Gloss: Mirror-like finish
Pros: Easy to clean, durable, stain resistant, reflects light to create high shine, great at creating dimension, great at highlighting architectural details
Cons: Shows imperfections, creates glare, requires multiple coats
Typical use: Trim, doors, millwork, architectural details, high-traffic areas
Pro-Tip: Go for the good quality paint! It covers better, needs fewer coats, hides imperfections, and is easily wipeable. We only use top-grade Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams in our builds, so our clients have beautiful walls every time.
5. Make Sure it Looks Good in Every Light
Every interior designer knows all selections, from flooring to paint, should look good in every light. When you’ve narrowed it down, look at your paint samples throughout the day to be sure you love it in every light; before the sun is up, outside during the day, and again at dusk, just to be sure! You can also paint swatches on your walls if you need help making that final decision.
Picking your perfect paint should be a fun and stress-free experience. If you follow our 5 tips, I’m sure you’ll love your new space!
