Whether you’re repainting your entire home or just a few rooms, choosing the right color scheme is key to making sure the project goes well.
Generally, you’ll want to choose colors that feel relaxing and livable. These are commonly called harmonious colors.
1. Choose Your Favorite Color
Painting a room is one of the easiest ways to change the look of your home. But picking the perfect color scheme can be tricky.
Start by choosing your favorite color to use as the backdrop for your paint project. It can be a bold, vibrant color or it can be a soft, subtle hue that will complement the rest of your home.
Once you’ve chosen a paint color, it is important to blend that shade with all other colors in your home. This step is essential to creating a cohesive design throughout your entire space.
You’ll also want to consider the colors you have in your home that will not be changing – floors, cabinets, trim and large pieces of furniture. These can help you narrow down your choices and make it easier to choose a wall color that will work with all of these elements.
In addition, you’ll want to consider the lighting conditions in your home and what shades will appear best under those conditions. For instance, a light color can look very different under a brightly lit window than it does under a dimly lit one.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to check out the latest trending colors and try them out on your walls. These will make your house feel trendy and up-to-date, while still being a comfortable place to call home.
2. Create a Palette
Whether you are looking to paint an entire room or simply add some new accents, selecting the right color palette is essential. The right colors will make your space feel cohesive and comfortable.
Start by finding inspiration on Pinterest, Instagram or other sources online. This can be a great way to find a color scheme that works with your existing decor and hard finishes, such as flooring, furniture and accent pillows.
Next, choose a base paint color for your palette. The best base colors are neutral, like white, off-white, cream, greige, gray, beige or taupe.
Now pick 2-3 more colors to complete your palette. This will give you a good range of options for each room in your home.
Remember that colors on the walls will change throughout the day and night, depending on the amount of natural light and how your paints are sheened. To determine your palette’s perfect combination, it’s important to paint a few samples and see how they look in natural or artificial light.
For those of you who have trouble deciding, try using a color generator tool, such as Degraeve. You can enter an image from Pinterest, Instagram or other sources and it will automatically generate a palette for you.
Another helpful tool is COLOURlovers, a community of designers and homeowners who create color palettes to help others get inspired. Currently, there are nearly 5 million user-generated palettes and patterns to inspire you.
Once you have the perfect color scheme, it is time to start painting your house! To help you along, we have gathered some tips and tricks that will make this process easier. These include ensuring that your paint sheens match, picking a base paint color for your palette, and planning out each room in your home to ensure a perfect fit.
3. Paint a Wall
A fresh coat of paint can give a room a dramatic new look and feel. It’s a quick and affordable way to change the entire atmosphere of any room.
To get started, choose a paint color you love and apply it to a small sample of your wall. Then, use a paintbrush to spread it in an even, smooth layer.
You may have to paint more than one coat, depending on the color you chose and how thick or thin it is. Having more than one layer of paint gives you the opportunity to blend it with the original wall color.
When painting walls, consider using a tinted primer if the wall is dark or has a high gloss finish. This can help prevent your colors from chipping or flaking off the drywall.
Before you begin painting, cover any furniture, appliances, and other belongings with a drop cloth or other protective covering. Then, set up a clean work area in another room.
Taking the time to choose the right colors will save you a lot of frustration in your painting project, and it’ll be easier for you to get the job done properly.
If you’re not sure which colors to choose, pick up a couple of tester pots. These can be purchased at most home improvement stores or paint stores.
Once you have a few options, take the testers into your room and stick them up with masking tape, standing back to see which looks best. This will help you get an overall feel for your room, and it will also allow you to make sure the colors go well together.
Before you start painting, be sure to clean up any messes as soon as they occur. It’s easy to make a mess when you’re just getting started, and you don’t want it to ruin the look of your entire room.
4. Paint a Ceiling
Paint a ceiling and you’ll have the power to make any room feel bigger or cozier, depending on your choice of color. But if you’re not an expert painter, it can be tough to get professional-looking results, so here are some tips to help you achieve the best finish.
Choose a color for your ceiling that will be complimentary to the rest of your space. This is especially important if you’re painting a kitchen, or any other room that connects other rooms, such as a hall.
If you want your ceiling to have a bright, lively look, you can select a light color like white or tan. But if you’re trying to create a more moody space, it might be better to pick a darker shade.
Use a roller and ceiling-specific paint to get the job done right. Unlike walls, your ceiling won’t reflect the light, so it’s important to choose a matte-finish paint that won’t smear easily.
To avoid sloppy paint lines, cut in around corners with the brush before you start rolling. This will prevent splotches from building up and helps you blend the color to avoid streaking.
You can also choose a paint that has a built-in roller to reduce the number of tools you need. The downside is that it takes up more space in your toolbox, so you’ll need to keep a few extra rolled-up brushes handy as well.
Once you’ve finished painting, let it dry for at least two hours. It’ll give you the chance to check the coverage and decide if you need a second coat.
You can paint your ceiling in small sections, but try to work in 3-foot by 3-foot areas. Doing this makes it easier to monitor your progress and promotes more even coverage. Alternatively, you can get a quote from the Old Charleston Painting Company to ensure a thorough paint job.
5. Paint a Floor
If you’re looking to create a dramatic design impact in your home without breaking the bank, painting your floors is an affordable way to do it. According to designer and preservationist Olivia Brock of Torrance Mitchell Designs, “Painting floors can be the perfect solution to bring new life to older homes or rooms where the floor has recently been replaced.”
Before you begin your paint project, take the time to prepare the surface. It’s important to get a clean, smooth surface so that your floor is ready for the color to adhere properly and last for years.
To prep your floor, sweep or vacuum the area to remove any loose dirt or debris. You can also mop the area using a mild detergent and a sponge to help loosen up any dirt and grit that may be trapped in the pores of the floor.
Once the surface is prepped, choose a paint that will be durable enough to stand up to your floor’s daily wear and tear. You should go with a mid-toned shade that will be forgiving of normal wear and tear, such as gray or white.
When you’re ready to start painting, use a paintbrush or roller to apply the first coat of floor paint. Then, allow the paint to dry.
You should recoat the floor about every 24 hours to ensure that it’s completely dry before you continue to work on it. This will keep your paint job from chipping or peeling, which is especially important if you’re working on tile flooring.
When you’re finished painting, use a rubber mat or runner to protect your floors from stray drops of paint. You can also apply a sealer to help the paint hold up against the elements for years to come.
