Selecting The Perfect Paint Colour
Have you ever walked into your local paint store and felt overwhelmed by the many different paint colours to choose from? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Finding the perfect paint colour takes time and patience. There are so many factors to consider; how do you want the space to feel? Do you want it to feel bigger or smaller? Relaxing or energetic? Do you have any natural light in that space? Do you want a more monochromatic look (tints and shades from one colour) or do you prefer achromatic (white, grey and black)? Playing with colour is fun and a way in which people express their creativity. Let’s evaluate some of the factors that go into the decision-making process.
The Emotional Response to Colour
Colour effects each person differently. There is a known emotional response that is generated by all the many colours. Figuring out how you want your space to feel can be translated through your colour of choice.
Source: Pinterest
Red: Symbolises happiness and contentment, emotion and passion. Reddish tones generate a sensation of heat and tends to visually advance towards you.
Orange: A warm colour, closely associated with autumn and the earth. It generates energy and happiness.
Yellow: Traditionally associated with intelligence. Colour of Spring, the sun, light, intensity and happiness. It stimulates and animates.
Green: Colour of life and the silent power of nature. It has a relaxing effect and qualities of stability, security and emotional balance.
Blue: The colour of spirit, the sky and water. It relates to characteristics of nobility. Classified as a cool colour, can signify melancholy or sadness. Recommended for bedrooms or a place of rest.
Violet: Absorbs the passion of red and the spirituality of blue. Provokes both desire and aversion.
Neutrals: Brown, beige, grey, white and black. These colours create a natural harmony in a space and can be felt as soothing.
Designer tip: of all of the many colours available, white is often selected as it is bright, airy and feels inviting.
Space and Colour
Colour can give the illusion of size. It can make a space feel larger than it actually is, or smaller.
Warmer/darker colours are perceived by your eye to come forward. While cooler/lighter colours tend to recede.
Keep space in mind when deciding on that perfect colour!
“Personalizing your colour palette may be one of the most important decisions you make in your home. The combination of hues can set the mood and transform any room from ordinary to magical.” – Rebecca Atwood.
Source: Pinterest
Paint Finishes
So you chose your paint colour, now the next decision. What finish do I choose? Do I choose a flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss? Let’s go over each in detail.
Flat: This finish has more pigment than any of the other finishes, which makes it great for hiding and bumps or scratches on the surface of the wall. It is also non-reflective, meaning it will soak up all the light.
Where to use: ceilings
Eggshell: Probably the most popular finish. It’s not shiny and it’s not matte. Making it easier to clean. It has a velvety appearance and when the light hits it, there is the softest glimmer.
Where to use: Living room, bedrooms, everyday spaces.
Satin: This finish is right in the middle of the sheen spectrum. It is more light reflecting than eggshell without appearing as shiny as semi-gloss. This makes satin a very durable finish and easy to clean.
Where to use: bathrooms or dark rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light.
Semi-Gloss: Semi-gloss is shinier than satin. It pairs well with other finishes as an accent. Due to its heightened sheen, you will be able to see imperfections more easily.
Where to use: crown moldings and trim
High-Gloss: Super light reflective and glamorous looking. It is very durable but does show many imperfections.
Where to use: cabinets, doors, furniture (accents that you really want to pop out).
Source: Life on Virginia Street
Test Your Paint Colour
My very best advice I can give you is to test your paint colour before you apply it all over your walls. Narrow it down to three of your favourites hues. Grab a sample of each and go home and roll it on your wall in different areas of your space. You may need a few coats and it’s important to keep in mind the colour underneath it as that can impact the new colour. To avoid this issue, you may want to first use a primer. Paint a large square of the sample colour directly on your wall or you can apply it to a poster board. Now you’ll want to look at the samples for a couple of days. You’ll want to observe it in natural light as well as artificial. Artificial lighting can drastically change a colour. I recommend an LED 3000k bulb for your indoor lighting.
Now that you are a pro at picking out paint colours and finishes, your next stop at your local paint store will be that much easier.
XO Charlee