Color Chart Blog

When it comes to redecorating a room in your home or business, choosing Colors for paint can be very challenging. Whilst its true that there are so many different choices out there you are bound to find the perfect one, you may feel that you have no idea where to begin!

The following tips and insights are designed to give you more ideas into the paint color choices you make and how color might effect the room you are decorating. If you are choosing interior paint colors, exterior paint colors, house paint colors or even paint color combinations, Something in this colors for paint article will help you decide.

So lets begin.

The first lesson when choosing color for paint is to be patient. Its a great idea to collect paint color codes and paint color swatches when you first begin planning a room, but be careful not to make any final choices or paint decisions until you have developed an overall paint color scheme. Paint is available in an infinite array of beautiful paint colors and is the most versatile element of your rooms decoration,paint color is the easiest to change, and certainly the least expensive. Get ideas but do not make any final decision until after rugs, fabrics and any accessories are finalized.

Coordinate paint color palettes
When you are ready to go shopping, you willl need to reference your fabric, carpet, tile, wallpaper, and trim samples on a regular basis. Take everything with you wherever you go. You never know where you might see something wonderful that you just have to have.

Really Study the Paint Colors
You will find insights about the underlying tones of different shades of a paint color on a full sample paint color strip of coordinated paint colors. Even if you are not considering using a darker tone, look at all the paint colors carefully. Decide if the family of paint colors is the direction you want to go with your color selection.
Tried and Tested Formula for paint colors.
If you are going to be working with a printed fabric, you will most likely be satisfied if you choose the coordinating wall paint color from the background of the print on your fabric. Use the deeper or brighter tones from your fabric as accents throughout the room you are painting and adjacent spaces. 

Paint Trim it Out
Most often you will select white or just off-white for moldings, doors, and windows. If you are feeling very brave, why not consider a pale shade of paint color to coordinate with the paint color on your walls, Or, for a very striking look, try painting walls a lighter color and then use dark paint tones or bright paint color for trim.

Choosing the Paint Finish for the Job
Always consider which paint color finish might be best for your project. Matte paint or flat paint finishes hide wall imperfections very well, but gloss paint finishes will reflect more light within your room and surrounding spaces.

Warm paint or Cool Paint?
Paint colors are often referred to as “a warm paint color” or a “cool paint color” Oranges, reds, and pinks are considered “warm” paint colors, while blues, greens, or violet often also thought of as cool paint colors. Knowing the theory behind any paint color can help you select the right tone for the feel in your room you are trying to achieve.

White is Not Always White, and there is no such thing as bright white
Looking and finding the perfect white paint can be a huge challenge. Beiges and off-whites have a very subtle color tone to them, so compare paint swatches with your fabrics and flooring to determine if a warmer pinkish white paint color or a yellow-toned white paint color — or perhaps a cooler, bluer white paint color — is the best choice for your room.

Keep Paint Notes as You Shop
It is a good idea to keep a note on the back of your paint color cards, tell yourself the name of the paint store where you found it, and also the paint color brand if this information is not already there. Since most paint stores carry more than one brand of paint color, you may discover the perfect color, and then find you can not remember where you saw it!
Shed a little light on your paint color
By far best method to get a true perception of a paint color is to look at it in as many different light environments as you can find. Take the paint swatch outside to see the paint color in a natural light. Look at in under incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Better yet, take the paint color swatch to the room in which it will live and look at it there.

Measuring your paint requirement.
Remember to always take the measurements of your room with you to the paint store. The “professional” at the store will be able to help you purchase the correct amount of paint for your job. Dont forget your primer and trim paints.

Ask a question, Paint a picture.
If you are looking for helpful color for paint advice, have a look online and visit your local paint store. Explain to the paint “professional” about your project and your ideas for decorating your room. Ask them which paint color products they would recommend, and why they would recommend them. Ask for information on specialty paints such as low-odor, stain-killing primers, chalkboard paint, washable paint, etc, never be afraid to ask – its what they are there for.

Custom paint color matching
If you are looking for a perfect match or trying to find a truly unique color (there are still millions of undiscovered colors), most speciality paint stores offer custom paint color mixing. Its possible to bring in a fabric swatch, paint color swatch, or other color reference, and get a paint color created which is a perfect match.

Ceiling paint color
Usually light colors are most pleasing for a ceiling, because most ceilings are seen in shadow a dark color may make your room feel smaller and less inviting. If you would like the ceiling paint to match the wall color, select a paint color which is one or two shades lighter than the wall. Or, you can dilute your wall color with white paint.

Try it on for Size
When you think your decided on your perfect color, buy a small quantity of the paint to do a test patch. It will be excellent insurance for a small outlay. Paint a 12-48inch square on your wall or on a board. Look at it during all periods of the day, morning, evening, and night to see how it looks in the different lights. How does it look with the rooms other elements, the flooring, the wallcoverings, and fabric choices.

See the Plane
For the best paint color representation, view your paint samples vertically and view carpet or flooring samples set flat on the floor (ideally in the room you are decorating.

Watch paint dry
Wet paint colors always look different from when paint is dry. Dont take any notice when you first see any paint applied to the wall. Always let it dry first before checking it with your other samples to determine if it looks right. Paint color can also look out of place in an empty room. Bring in a few elements that you plan to have in your room when its finished to see how it all works together.

White Around
Its a good idea to always have white paint around your home, carefully sealed in a container. You can always use it to lighten some paint that you think is too dark.

Give It Time
Getting used to a new paint color in a room might take a while. A bold color may feel a bit overwhelming at first. Put some accessories in the room and You will probably be pleasantly surprised.

Tags: Colors for paint, exterior paint color, interior paint color, paint color, paint color chart, paint color swatches