The most obvious aspect of paint to consider is the color. Colors can influence our mood, and many designers and psychologists suggest considering how a particular color makes you feel in deciding what hue is right for a room. The darker the shade of a particular color, the more pronounced the effect can be. For a bedroom, soothing shades such as blues and greens are more likely to help you relax and unwind, while red, energetic and known to stimulate the appetite, might be better for a kitchen. Experts also agree that green is a good color for a home office, as it promotes productivity. How you plan to use a room can be a good guide to the mood you want to achieve, and thus the best color for the job.
Paint can also affect how you perceive the size of a room. Warmer colors can make small rooms cozy and large rooms more intimate, while cooler colors can make a space seem larger than it actually is. Painting a ceiling white or a lighter color than the walls makes a room feel more open. If you have a room that doesn’t get much natural light, consider a light-colored neutral on the walls to make the space seem brighter. On the other hand, a room that gets a lot of natural light can look crisp and inviting when painted white. However, don’t assume a dark color will make a small room seem smaller; dark colors tend to recede, and when set off with glossy white trim and moldings, a bold choice may actually open the space visually. In a large space, if an entire room of bright color seems like it would be too much, consider an accent wall instead. Painting one wall a different color from the rest of a room can break up a large space, provide a splash of color in an otherwise light room, or highlight an architectural feature like a fireplace.
The finish of your paint is also a factor to consider, as it will affect the appearance of color you choose. A flat paint gives a nice matte look, and hides any imperfections on your walls better than other paint finishes. It can make dark colors look rich, but it is also hard to clean, so it isn’t the best choice in a bathroom or kitchen. An eggshell or satin finish provides a bit of subtle sheen, enhancing the light in a room, while still being fairly forgiving if your walls aren’t perfect. A semi-gloss paint provides even more reflectivity, while also being a great choice for high-moisture environments like the kitchen or bathroom, but it is the most likely to make flaws obvious. Think about the effect you are trying to achieve with your color choice when you consider finishes to make sure you are happy with the final result.
Paint is one of the easiest things to change in your home to give a fresh look to your décor, so don’t hesitate to express yourself! The right paint scheme can enhance the beauty of every room in your house.
Photo: Polat Alp / Dollar Photo Club