How To Be 100% Confident That you're Choosing The Right Paint Colour
Introduction
Everyone wants to be confident that the paint color they've chosen for the walls of their home is going to look *amazing*. The truth is, though, that it's hard to say definitively how a certain color will look until you've painted your walls and seen them in person. It can be really frustrating to do all of the prep work (removing wall hangings, moving furniture around, taping off windows and trim) just to find out that the colour doesn’t look as expected after it's on. That’s an expensive mistake that can really impact your ability to enjoy your living space!
Start with the right inspiration.
- Determine the look and feel you want in each room. Do you want the space to be lively, warm and inviting? Or do you prefer a more subdued, neutral palette?
- Experiment with colour trends. See how different shades of one colour family (or even complementary or contrasting colours) can transform your home.
- Find the colours you love: whether it’s an old-fashioned classic like blue or fresh inspiration from nature (think green grasses), steer clear of anything that doesn’t make you feel ‘at home’.
Determine how much light a room gets.
Determine how much light a room gets. Depending on the time of day, you want to ensure that your paint colour will look good. For instance, if the room is shaded by trees or tall buildings during the morning and afternoon hours, then you may want to choose a lighter hue so that when it’s dark outside, your walls don’t appear dingy and drab.
Conversely, if you have lots of natural light coming into a room — like an open space with plenty of windows facing south — then opt for a darker shade so that it doesn't get washed out by all of those rays!
Look at the existing accents and finishes.
Looking at the existing finishes in your space can tell you a lot about how to choose a paint colour. It’s important to take into account not just what colours are already on your walls and furniture, but also how they’re used. For example, if your kitchen cabinets are white with black hardware (and other accents), then it might make sense for you to use a light grey or taupe in your kitchen. These tones will create an airy feel without being too stark. But if you have warm wood tones throughout the rest of your home and don’t want an overly ‘cool’ look in the kitchen, using a darker shade like charcoal could be better suited for this area.
Once you understand how finishes influence colour choices—and vice versa—you can better strategize which shades will work best for each area within your home!
Check out your furniture and accessories.
If you have any furniture, accessories, or flooring that is a colour similar to what you're considering for your walls, it's important to think about how they will all look together. Contrasting colours will create drama and excitement, while complementary colours will create more a more harmonious and calm space.
Use peel & stick Big Paint Chips™ to test interior paint colours on multiple walls.
Peel and stick paint samples are a great way to get a better idea of how your potential colour scheme will look in your home.
If you want to see how it looks in different areas, place the peel and stick sample throughout your space. For example, try placing it on the wall that faces the most light, beside focal points—like windows or niches—and in corners where direct light might not hit.
You can compare the look and feel of different colours, and experiment with bold and muted combinations to see what style appeals most to you.
Browse our most popular peel-and-stick vinyl paint samples
Choose a paint colour that you love!
Choosing a colour to use in your home is a complex and personal process. If you want to be 100% confident that you're making the right choice, it's important to live with a paint colour for a little while before making any final decisions.
This will allow you to see how well it works in multiple locations across your room and ensure that when it comes time to paint, there won't be any surprises. You'll also give yourself time to really get used to the look of this new shade in different lighting conditions and during different times of day—so whether its morning or evening sunlight streaming through those windows, or perhaps artificial lighting coming from overhead lights or lamps scattered around your room—you'll know exactly how everything looks with this new colour in place!
So, now that you know how to be 100% confident with your colour choices, what’s stopping you from painting your home like a pro?