How To Choose Paint Colors

How to choose paint colors like a pro!!

Top Decorator Tips!

How to Choose Wall Paint Colors Like a Decorator.

Have you ever wondered how a professional decorator chooses wall paint colors?

No, they don't pick the color out of the air!

They have a system that allows them to work through all the other choices before they even get to the wall color.

Try it out and you will see how easy it is How to choose paint colors to get professional results:

Step 1: Review the room you are going to paint. Write down how you use the room (you'll want to make sure the wall colors will be practical and appropriate for the purpose of the room). Figure out what you like and don't like in the room as it is now.

Step 2: Note the positives in the room such as a cathedral ceiling, lots of trim, or some other interesting architectural element. These are the things you'll want to high light and draw attention to (and you can easily do that with color).

Step 3: Note the negatives in the room - the elements that you'll want to correct, downplay, or draw attention away from. This might be harder to determine if you're not a professional, but it might be items such as exposed pipes, dated carpeting you can't replace or some other eyesore. Ask a friend for their honest opinion of the room remember you are going to change it anyway.

Step 4: Using your existing room color schemes as inspiration, come up with 3 paint color ideas for the walls. The easiest (and usually most successful) way to do that is to pull one of the colors from your window treatments, furniture upholstery, accent pieces, cushions, etc.

Step 5: Get the paint samples of the colors you selected. Have some fun with this step - paint blocks of color on several walls and see how the colors will change throughout the day as the natural light changes. The colors will also look different at night with artificial light.

For example, if your room receives lots of direct sunlight, light/pastel colors might look washed out. On the other hand, lots of indirect natural light could make other colors appear stronger than expected. Live with your color samples for a few days before making a final choice.

S t e p 6: Decide if you are painting all the walls the same color or if you want to paint one wall an accent color. This could be as simple as painting one wall a deeper shade of the main wall color. For example, you might want to use this technique to make a focal point of a fireplace.

Now is also the time to choose your ceiling and trim colors - pure white (if you like crisp contrast), a tint of the wall color (if you prefer color flow ), or even the same color as the walls (if you want to visually manipulate the dimensions of the space). Use a flat paint on the ceiling and semi-gloss on the trim.

Step 7: Execute the color strategy. Roll up the sleeves and spend a day or two prepping and painting the room. Or if you prefer to hire a professional get a few house painting estimates. If you follow the steps outlined above for how to choose paint colors, you are sure to have a decorator look at minimal cost.

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