A Designers Guide for Selecting Paint Colors for Your Home: By Designer Kayla Miller

As a designer, picking out color combinations and color flow is one of my favorite areas in design. Choosing the right paint colors can not only wow your guest it can completely change the look of your home. Some of my clients are amazed how something as simple as changing a paint color can affect the look and feel of a room.

Plum Pretty Decor and Design offers color consultations to aid in the section of paint for your home. Because sometimes we all need a little help- am I right!? A paint color consultation is perfect for someone who has already taken a dozen trips to the paint store, has enough paint swatches to mod podge their entire first floor, has samples painted all over their walls and still can’t decide on a paint color. Also for those who have a blank slate when it comes to color in their home. Or even for individuals who have some colors they like and just want some guidance on how to pull it all together.

Choosing paint colors can become greatly difficult and stressful when you let it. Here is my guide on how to help make the task of selecting paint less stressful.

Picture courtesy of Coleman Homes: Coleman Homes Design Gallery- Click to visit site.

Find your inspiration and plan your room first. The style you are going for in your room can greatly determine what paint color you need to choose. If your going for a simple, fresh, farmhouse feel you don’t want to have already painted your room a bright drastic color. You would want to select a neutral, cool, and calming color. It is much easier to select a paint color to match your decor/furnishings than it is finding decor/furnishings to match a paint color.
Choose your color at home. Paint swatches in the store can look completely different in the conditions of your home. The number one difference will be the lighting. Lighting plays an entirely separate role when it comes to appearance of paint colors. The amount of natural light a room receives and if the light is northern exposure or eastern exposure play a part also. Every room will have some means of artificial light whether it be incandescent, fluorescent or LED- sometimes a mixture of these. The color and temperature of the bulbs also affect how the color will appear. Seeing how something has simple as lighting can play such a huge role in how paint color appears one can understand why it is best to select a paint color in the room where the paint will be applied.
Pick a finish. Paint comes in a variety of different finishes ranging from high gloss to flat. Each finish can change the appearance of the paint color. Colors will appear richer in a matte finish. Matte is also great for textured walls and for hiding imperfections. I recommend a satin to semi-gloss on trim and a egg-shell finish on walls. High gloss can sometimes give off a glossy glare but a satin finish provides an elegant sheen.
Give it a trial run. Buy some samples and paint a small portion of your wall. But always remember your current color can affect how the new paint color will appear. Some walls will need to be primed especially dark colors. Painting samples on your walls is the best way to see how the color will actually look in your space.
If your not happy in the end- it’s just paint, try again. Paint is one of the cheapest upgrades that provides a drastic change. Although it may be a headache to have the space repainted if your not happy your walls will be a constant reminder.

Selecting paint for your home should be fun not stressful and daunting. If you are having difficulties deciding on a paint color or would like some advise feel free to send me a message and we can chat.

With love,