Are you tired of living with off-white, or white walls, but are afraid to choose a color? Take heart! Here are some guidelines
that will give you the courage to break out of your vanilla box!
1. When looking at a "dinky" color chip on a paint fan or card, remember...
a. A light color will be brighter and stronger when painted on a
wall.
b. A dark color will appear deeper and darker.
c. With "a" and "b" above in mind, choose what "you think" will be
the "perfect color," and then choose one shade lighter.
2. Color Rules
a. Light, cool, colors recede from the eye, making a room look
larger. These types of colors can provide a wonderful illusion in
small spaces or areas where the walls are fragmented.
b. Dark or bright hues advance toward the eye. These work well in
a large room, and/or a room that lacks intimacy or definition.
c. If a large or empty room is already dark, due to lack of light,
a bright, strong color might be the best choice.
3. Colors Within a Color, or Undertones
a. Choose a color from a fabric pattern, rug, art piece or
accessory.
b. Once you have decided on the base color, look for hints of
other colors within. For example, a color might be brownish
yellow, with a hint of green, or blue with a tint of purple. As
you look at the original color, be sure to check the other colors
in your space which might need to subtly show up in the paint to
tie things together. For example: You may want the color to be
blue but you also have green and yellow in the room. Start with
the blue paint cards or chips, then narrow it down to samples that
lean towards a subtle blue green, and then go even further to a
chip that is blue with hints of greenish-yellow undertones.
c. You can also choose a base color, then identify every other
color in the fabric, rug, etc., you are using, and add a hint of
each to the base paint mixed at the store. This will provide the
undertones the eye will pick up subconsciously.
4. Color selection takes patience.
The best way to be sure of a color is to purchase small quantities
of two or three hues, take them home, and paint swatches in
different locations of the room. Live with the swatches for a few
days, go back to the paint store to make a make adjustments, if
necessary, then paint new swatches. Do this until you feel
comfortable finalizing your selection.
Paint swatches in the following places.
a. Where the swatch will be hit with a lot of light.
b. In a dark corner.
Finally, be sure to check fabrics, accessories, etc. against the
paint color, by holding them up next to your swatches.
