Tip 1 – Picking the right color
• Find inspiration in your favorite items. Look for a color or tone that you like in drapery fabric, artwork, accent pillows, or even accessories. If you find a color you like, bring the item into the store with you so you can have the color matched or look for swatches that are a similar color.
• If you have furniture against the wall that you will be painting, bring in some contrast with the color you are selecting. For example if you have a beige sofa, select a color that will contrast and make the sofa pop off the wall versus blending together.
Tip 2 – Bring samples & swatches home with you
• Don’t make a decision on a color based on how it looks in the store. The harsh lighting in a store can dramatically skew what the color will actually look like in your home with natural lighting.
• Go through all the swatches and find the colors that you like the best and take your favorites home with you. Cut out the chip that you like and move it around to different walls, put it next to your trim and see how it looks next to a window. • You might be surprised that the color you liked best in the store might now work at all in your own home.
Tip 3 – Test the color before you commit
• The best way to actually pick the right color for your space is to actually test it in the space you are going to be painting.
• Invest in a quart of your top two or three colors as well as several 2x2 pieces of foam board. Paint each piece of foam board with your paint selections. • You can then test the colors and move the boards around through out the day to see how the color looks in different lights and on different walls in the room.
Tip 4 – Chose the best finish for the job
• Consider the paint finish that will be best for the project you are working on.
• Flat or matte is best for walls with many imperfections because it doesn’t reflect any light. They are easy to touch up but hard to clean. They are better for ceilings, bedrooms, or living rooms. • Semi gloss is a popular choice for trims and moldings and is also ideal for kitchens and bathrooms because it is resistant to humidity, withstands stains and is also easy to clean. • A gloss finish is rarely used on walls because it show imperfections and reflects light the way a mirror might. This is best for trims and moldings.
Tip 5 – Consider the rest of the house
• Pick a color that will compliment what you have in the rest of the house so that you create a cohesive environment. Having a variety of bright colors in every room will make the spaces feel disconnected and like there is no consistent look.
• Neutral colors make this easy. You can use a variety of colors or tones, but a similar color palette will make the entire home feel calm and cohesive. • It is fine to have contrasting pops of color in rooms that stand-alone and don’t blend into other rooms like a dining room, powder bath, or kids bedrooms.
See how Jennifer can design your world at JenniferAdams.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferAdams, on Pinterest at @jenniferadams2, and on Facebook at @JenniferAdamsHome.
