Top paint color pitfalls…and how to avoid them! That is a pretty important topic when you are considering updating your home with new colors. You want to choose colors that reflect who you are NOW. The first thing you do is head to the paint store where you are confronted with literally hundreds of choices. Your confusion, surprise and hesitation are understandable…and common. Before you decide on your paint color(s) you should step back and gather inspiration. Discover ideas by flipping through interior design magazines. Define the mood you want to invoke in each room. Assess the lighting in the room, both natural and artificial. And consider your existing decor. So, step away from the paintbrush until you have examined these mistakes made by others…and learn from them!
FOLLOWING TRENDS
While you may gather inspiration from designer magazines and check out the trendy colors, you need to LOVE the colors you choose for your home. While it can be fun to let your imagination be sparked from trending paint colors, make sure it has staying power in your heart. If you lock in on a trendy color, look at all the related colors in the palette and find the one that really speaks to you.
Another option is to pick more classic colors and use the trendy colors for accents. These are easily and inexpensively replaced when trends change. Find fun and inexpensive things like throw pillows, rugs, candles and wall art. Accent items add personality, style and functionality without overwhelming the area. So, don’t let trends ruin the way you think about colors.
DON’T USE TRICKY COLORS (WITHOUT TESTING)
Any color has the potential to go wrong depending on many factors – lighting, floor coverings, ceiling height, and more. However, two paint colors are notorious doe presenting problems – yellow and red. Other colors that can be difficult are pink and white. These may be your favorite colors because they are very engaging and make a huge statement. If that is true for you, go for it! Just be sure to sample several different shades to get the one that is right for your room(s).
DON’T OVERLOOK THE FINISH
Finishes can be tricky. Many homeowners opt for a flat finish because it is the most forgiving of imperfections on your walls. That can be a good choice, but don’t go that route if you have small children and/or pets who are likely to leave fingerprints and smudges. In that case, opt for an eggshell or satin finish because they can compensate for some imperfections and are more easily wiped clean when needed.
For trim and doors, a semi-gloss finish is a good choice. Generally, we paint ceilings in a flat finish, but that is not a hard and fast rule. Again, flat paint hides imperfections, but an eggshell finish can lighten up the room. Do your research before you make your final decisions.
BE CAREFUL WHEN SAMPLING COLORS
Once you’ve narrowed down your selections here are some suggestions for making the final choice. Do your due diligence. There are specific steps to embrace. There are do’s and don’ts. Everything looks good on a 2 X 3 card in the paint store, but the effect can be different en masse. Here are our best best suggestions:
- Buy paint samples available at the paint store in the colors you are considering. Get an 11 X 17 posterboard for each color and apply a coat of the paint sample. Let it dry and apply a second coat. Write the color and the paint number on the back for easy identification. Now you can hang the posterboard (Caution: test one color at a time so you are not overwhelmed) and live with the color. Observe it day and night for several days in different types of light.
- An alternative method is instead of one 2 X 3 card, tape 4 together and put them on the wall for observation. Again, light dramatically affects paint color perception. So, its not just how a color appears at a single moment, but how it will appear throughout the day and in different lighting conditions.
We do not recommend painting directly on the wall. The current color of the wall will influence the way the new color appears. Also, do not put color directly on the wall because you cannot “unsee” it. Also, putting more than one color on the wall at once is just too much information. You want to isolate the color.
DON’T DIY A PROJECT ABOVE YOUR SKILL LEVEL (AND AVAILABLE TIME)
This is a good time to circle back to the beginning of the project. You have decided to paint, done your research, selected colors/finishes and you are ready to move forward. If you are painting one room and there are no repairs, moving the furniture is not a problem and you can do proper preparation before apply the first coat it may be a good DIY project for you.
It is best to call a professional if…
- you have high walls, ceilings or stairwells
- your walls need repairs or patching
- moving heavy furniture and objects is a problem
- your a painting a number of rooms/hallways (especially if it includes trim, doors and ceilings)
- your are repainting kitchen cabinets and/or island
- your free time is limited
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now that you have the essentials – it’s time to paint! The professionals at ColaTown Painting are the house painters near me you’ve been looking for, making your project fun and exciting. They come at your convenience, get the job done and leave your home renewed! Call Britt 803-603-6486 for a free no-obligation estimate. He will take a look at your project, talk with you about your expectations and answer any question you may have. He won’t leave until you inspect and are completely satisfied at the conclusion of you project. Check out all of our 5 Star Reviews!
