How to Choose the Right Paint for Your Home
Painting is a relatively inexpensive change you can make to your home with a big impact on its appearance. Think of buying a paint color without careful consideration, like picking an outfit in the dark. You might end up with a fabulous fit, but chances are you’ll step into the light and realize it just doesn’t match. Paint color has an impact on everything from the amount of light reflected in your space to even your overall mood. When it comes to making a selection, though, the choices can be overwhelming. The lighting changes from room to room, as well as flooring and decor. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the process of selecting the right paint for various rooms in your home so that you’ll have a beautiful finish you can enjoy for a long time.
Choosing a Paint Type
1. Water-Based (Latex) Paints:
These paints are easy to clean, quick-drying, not very odorous, and environmentally friendly. They can be cleaned with a simple combination of soap and water. It works best on walls and ceilings in living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
2. Oil-Based Paints:
This type of paint is durable, has a very smooth finish, and works well in highly trafficked areas. This works best for trim, doors, and cabinetry.
3. Primer:
We’ve all probably heard of primer and understand that people use it to “prime” the area before painting. But is it really necessary? The answer is usually yes. Primer is an important element of any big paint project, sealing surfaces and making it easier for paint to adhere. It’s especially helpful on new drywall, wood, and when switching from dark to lighter colors.
Selecting the Perfect Color
If you’re looking for a paint color you won’t want to change again in the next year, you should do these three things:
Consider the room's purpose
Consider the lighting
Test the color before committing
You should start by considering what you’re using each room for. Is it a calming space, an area for exercise, or a neutral space you’re just passing through? For calming spaces like a bathroom, most will choose soft blues and greens. In more energetic areas, vibrant colors like red, orange, and yellow work wonders. A space you want to blend in can be painted in beiges and whites.
When considering your lighting, note that natural lighting will have a different effect on your space than artificial. In natural light, colors look more like the swatches you’ll see in a showroom than in artificial lights. If your room lacks natural light, it could make the color appear warmer or cooler than the swatch.
Testing your color can be a fun step in the process. Paints are almost always available in small samples, meaning the world is your oyster. This comes back to the struggle between natural and artificial light. You might see a color in the store and think, “This one. This is the one that’ll make me want to get up and exercise before I take my kids to school at 6 am.” You’re so excited you buy three gallons and smile when you tell the nice cashier you do not need a receipt. Then, when you finally put brush to drywall, that gorgeous, motivational yellow looks neon. Selecting a few of your favorite shades in sample sizes can help you avoid a neon nightmare.
Choosing the right paint for your home involves more than just picking a color. By understanding paint types, lighting, and the specific needs of each room, you can get the perfect color you’ll enjoy for a very long time. If you want to make sure the paint lasts as long as you want it there, or you just don’t have the time to do it yourself, consider hiring a professional. If you think I might be the best fit for your next big painting venture, you can schedule a free consultation on my website.
Thanks for reading this article of The Handywoman’s Toolbox. Come back monthly for more tips and tricks for the motivated homeowner.
