painting & paint colors

We've painted and installed hardwood floors in two of our upstairs rooms, but the rest of the house is in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint.  Finding the time to tackle the projects is difficult enough.  And although I can pick colors for other people in a flash and feel confident about them, choosing colors for my own home takes  f o r e v e r !

When I consider colors I am always intrigued by the way different colors make you feel.  I think I've decided on a light blue for our kitchen (and a more neutral but warm sand or 'blonde' color for our living room to brighten it up a bit).  Orange is known to stimulate appetite while on the other hand blue decreases appetite.  Possibly good for dieting or those who struggle with healthy eating?

Benjamin Moore has a great summary of the feelings and moods that different colors evoke.  I would call these general guidelines, but very helpful.  BM and Sherwin Williams have thousands of colors to choose from and subtle differences in colors that appear to be the same can have very different effects on a room.

When choosing paint colors I highly recommend giving yourself enough time. Don't rush.  Get sample pots or packets (both available from Benjamin Moore retailers) and paint a swatch about 3' x 3' on the wall.  Leave it for a few days so you can see what it looks like in different light and at different times of the day.  Carry a paint swatch around with you and look at it as well.  But don't be afraid to trust yourself and just go with it, because you can always paint over it if it's not exactly what you want.

(both photos from Benjamin Moore)

Comments

[Linda from ::Surroundings::]

I totally agree - taking time to pick the right color is essential. Many people make a quick decision in the wrong light and then wonder why it "looked better in the store". Patience is key!

[CatherineL]

Thanks for this. I'm definitely going to paint our dining area blue now.

[robert]

Have you considered some paints on myperfectcolor.com? They have great paint brands and sample colors in pint for you to try..

[James]

A good way to try paint colors before you buy is to get those paint samples they sell at some stores. They cover a couple of square feet so you can see what the colors really look like. Stores usually have a small selection of color samples available but there's a website that sell more than 2,000 colors. http://stores.colorcheckinc.com/StoreFront.bok And they give free shipping on orders of 4 samples or more.

[colour forecasting]

Picking house paint colours isn't just difficult. It's terrifying and it can be a confusing experience. Thanks for sharing!!

[Double Glazing Birmingham]

Well, based on my taste in colors, I always prefer those unusual color. Since I always like something unique and very unusual, combining pastel colors too look good too.