Tidbits on Design: What's Paint Got to Do With It and Choosing The One (or two!)

Painting.

People love the idea. You move into a new apartment/house and you imagine painting every room, and you swear to yourself you are going to do it. And then you don't because you are afraid to settle on a color. Admit it. Colors scare you to death when it comes to slathering it all over the wall and living IN it for who knows how long.

I promise, there is no need to fear paint colors.

These days, there are a gazillion of them to chose from. Nearly any color you can physically see with your eyes has been put in a paint can. But let's start with shades, just to ease your fears that I demand you paint your walls bright green (I do have an example further along in this post, though!). If you are really fearful of color, you can chose from MANY shades of white, creme, beige and champagne. If you are looking to try something daring, you can chose as dark as black in luxurious textures and shines. Two opposing examples below highlight the beauties of light vs. dark:

Off-white walls paired with bright white and other various shades and textures keep this room from feeling too sterile and boring. The dark wood floor brings depth and contrast. You could make these floors a bit lighter to create an airier feel. Photo credit Elle Decor.

Dark walls all around create a cozy feel. The dark color in this room brings depth, like the dark floors in the last example. The light furnishings balance the black. See, black isn't scary! Photo credit Homm CPS.

Even if you aren't into colors, the examples above are great ways to bring interest and beauty into your space. Some people just don't want to feel like they are living in a ribbon of the rainbow, and that's okay!

Now onto bolder colors. One of the hardest parts about picking that dreaded can of paint is knowing how to pick the right one. When deciding on a color, a good place to start might be your favorite color. Once you've come up with a color (or two), start thinking about the amount of light in the room you want to paint. Is it bright? Is it a dungeon? Also consider the function of the room. Is it used for sleeping, reading, lounging, etc? How do you want the room to feel? Happy? Cozy? Relaxing?

Example. Let's say your favorite color is blue. And let's say you have a small, not-very-well-lit room. Don't believe the myth that this kind of room must be painted with light colors. Light colors will actually end up looking dingy in a small, dark room because the lack of light creates shadowy, dark areas on the walls, which make all colors appear less bright/light. Battle those shadows with bold wall color and add neutrals and pops of color in the furnishings. The boldness of a color in a small, dark room can make it feel alive, rather than dungeon-y. Check out how beautifully these bold blues brighten the rooms below:

This cozy blue room is balanced with warm neutrals, but includes a bright pop of yellow, adding a bit of warm color to balance the dark walls and floor. Photo credit Homedit.com.

Here's a vibrant blue room balanced with neutrals like white, light brown (floor) and gold. Vibrant green chairs add brightness, and the zebra rug adds drama and fun to the room. Photo credit Jodie Carter Design.

This small, oddly shaped room is painted with a vibrant light blue. The white neutrals balance the space, while the gold blanket and pop of red create interest with contrast. If the bedding was made all white, it would create and even lighter feeling. Photo credit The Stir.

While deciding on a color, you might also take a look at the furnishings you already have. I bet most of you have neutral bases, like the couch, chairs, and tables. What color are the accessories in your home? Look at your artwork. What colors do you find in these little extras? Use these colors to help you decide on a paint color for the walls, either something in the same color family or a contrasting color.


Take a look at some of the colorful examples below. You'll begin to see how color can work in a home when it is balanced with neutrals.

Black and white with pops of blue and gold. Notice the glossy finish on the black wall, which reflects light back into the room. The light rug helps brighten the space, as well. Photo credit Elle Decor.

 

Small, cozy, but vibrant space. Notice the bold blue is also glossy, reflecting light into the room. It's balanced with neutral furnishings, and vibrancy is brought in with colorful accessories. Photo credit Elle Decor.

Yellow isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it works beautifully in this open air hallway. Now, instead of just a hallway, it's a warm space that inspires a sunny, uplifting feeling on the way out and in. Photo credit Architectural Digest.

Light paint colors are lovely in a sun-filled space. This room is relaxing, and the accessories bring just enough color and depth to the space to keep it from feeling too bland. Waking up here would be so refreshing! Photo credit House Beautiful.

This very bold green room feels like a place to mingle and sip on cocktails! Notice how the neutral sofa keeps it balanced. The black and white accessories balance the space in color, but keep it lively with their fun patterns. The reflective gold ceiling helps bounce light around the room while continuing the excitement! Also notice the lack of contrasting colors (to the green), giving the space a grown-up feeling. Photo credit Decor Pad.

A dark grey wall looks soft in this well lit room. The green drapes add a bold pop of color to the neutral tones that dominate the space. A gold lamp and mantle add warmth to the cool tones of this room. Photo credit Veranda.

This lovely gem is cozy and fun. Gold and yellow always pop when paired with purple. The white rug, floor and ceiling keep this room balanced and the light blue chairs add another hint of color without being overwhelming. Photo credit Laura U Interior Design

One last rule of thumb. Whether you are DIY painting or hiring someone else to do it for you, ALWAYS purchase paint testers before you buy a gallon of that bright color. Chose a couple of shades in the same color, or chose a couple of colors if you're still unsure. Either way, you need to see what the paint looks like on the wall(s) you are painting over a time span of at least 24 hours. What will it look like in the morning, at night, and everything in between? Plus, colors often look more bold on the wall than they do on the swatch. Sometimes the surface of your wall will even give the color an effect you won't see until you test it! And even if that color looks really bold on your walls, you have some great examples above that show you how to balance it out and make it beautiful.

Good luck and thanks for reading!

Carole