Creative Kitchens
The kitchen continues to be one of the most frequently used living spaces within the home. As families spend an increasing number of hours together in the kitchen space, both function and style play imperative roles when tackling a design or renovation project. The innovative use of color will help your kitchen space to shine!

Kitchen paint requires selections that are hard working and focus on stain and grease resistance as well as washability. Practical choices include durable paints that feature low sheen, semi-gloss or gloss sheens. Several paint manufacturers offer kitchen/bath paints that have been designed specifically for these spaces.

The kitchen represents a venue for an unlimited number of ways to incorporate unique color within the space! Consider coordinating a decorative paint treatment, such as ragging, combing, etc. (See Decorative Techniques section) with a contemporary wallpaper border. Or, if you love the look of decorative paint but lack the time to complete such a project, explore the possibility of adding a "faux" wallpaper border (that mimics decorative paint techniques) to a painted, solid color wall. Add color and pattern to a plain, white tile backsplash by applying color with a freehand or stenciled painted design. Inject a splash of color to ordinary beadboarding with the clever application of paint. Camouflage a damaged floor by selecting colors that are prevalent within your kitchen color scheme and painting a "faux" tile design. Unify a mismatched dinette set by painting the table and chairs using one cohesive color. Customize furnishings by applying a whimsical stamp or stencil to seats or seatbacks.

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Beautiful Baths
Although bathrooms are private spaces, they are usually heavily trafficked rooms in any home. Depending upon the number of bathrooms that you have in your home and where they are located, bathrooms can range from strictly functional areas to inspirational retreats. Paint permits the homeowner the luxury of experimenting with innovative color ideas by providing surfaces that are easily cleaned and simply revised.

Due to the high moisture levels that are present within the bath, this space is prone to mildew and surfactant leaching. Therefore, experts at the Paint Quality Institute recommend the highest quality sheen or semi-gloss paints that contain mildew protection as well as stain resistance. Several paint manufacturers have designed special kitchen/bath paints that are specifically designed to accommodate these spaces.

Consider the décor and style of your home when designing a bathroom space. The appearance of the bathroom should blend harmoniously with the rest of the home interior. If your home contains only one bathroom, consider designing the space using a neutral color scheme. Neutrals allow the opportunity to decorate the bath seasonally, and permit the flexibility of injecting contemporary colored accessories into the bath space. Consider establishing complementary color schemes within master baths, ‘jack and jill’ baths or any baths that connect to bedrooms. (When applying a complementary color scheme to connecting spaces; one hue would be utilized within each distinct space.) Examine the overall size of the bath when selecting color. Deeper, rich hues tend to create a more dramatic ambiance. Should you opt for a darker tone within a small bath space, brighten the space by supplementing the dark hue with dashes of a bright or striking color, to lighten up the area.

There are an unlimited number of ways to allow color to add distinctiveness to the bath space. Add color to wall coverings with painted bead boarding, combining paint with wallpaper borders and stencils. Add contrasting color to bathroom doors and molding by painting doors and trim in deep tones that accentuate wall coverings and highlight tile colors. Decorative paint finishes add tantalizing texture and stimulating color to the bathroom space. Consider a decorative paint finish to enhance one larger accent wall within the bathroom. Add color to plain window coverings by painting wood shutters or cornices using colors that appear within the existing color scheme.

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Dynamic Dining Rooms
Depending upon your family’s lifestyle, dining rooms traditionally exist as formal entertaining areas or as an active, everyday part of the home. The way in which your dining room functions will help to determine the area’s style as well as décor. The use of color can help to define the tone of the dining room.

Highly used, active dining rooms require high quality paint that contains a higher sheen that can be easily cleaned. If the informal dining room is attached or open to the kitchen, you may wish to consider implementing a monochromatic color scheme or incorporating the grouping of colors that appear within the kitchen. The use of a complementary color scheme (see Color Solutions) would also be appropriate in this situation, to provide for a balanced combination of color within the adjoining spaces.

Formal dining rooms provide an ideal space to utilize faux and other highly decorative paint finishes. Deep, rich colors are often used to create dramatic formal dining spaces. For added drama, consider a decorative paint treatment that portrays the appearance of an elegant fabrication (such as leather or suede) to grace the walls of your formal dining space.

Color can be used to stimulate the dining room space through a multitude of creative projects. Create a visual division of space within a two story dining room by adding molding at ceiling height, then painting two distinct colors (above and below the molding). Update the timeless look of wainscoting within the dining room with a coat of stylish paint. New latex high gloss paints or traditional gloss alkyd paints are excellent choices for moldings and wainscoting. The latex high gloss paints will have lower odor and dry much faster. Decorative paint finishes can be used on wall coverings, accent walls or ceiling space to provide stimulating color and interesting texture to the dining area. Create a focal point for built-ins that showcase treasured collectibles by painting the interior using a contrasting color that highlights the featured collectibles.

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Beautiful Bedrooms
As the first and last place that we see each day, bedrooms are reflective of our distinct personalities. Indicative of a personal and private space, the bedroom space particularly signifies a creative place where our individual tastes and needs are outlined. Representing a private sanctuary, there is more flexibility with regard to style, décor and color within the bedroom space.

Bedrooms are typically low traffic rooms; therefore they do not require the same level of durability for paint finishes, as do other areas of the home. Velvet finishes; HQ Velvet Flats, eggshells or soft sheens are all appropriate paints for the bedroom.

Quiet, muted hues are favorite bedroom color choices, as they tend to be more comforting and relaxing. Cool colors (blues/greens) provide a soothing feeling that adds everyday livability to the bedroom space. Cool colors also contain the added bonus of visually expanding small bedrooms and making the space appear larger. Choosing adjacent colors on the Color Wheel for a bedroom color scheme allows for a particularly well-blended space. Neutral colors are another favorite choice for bedrooms, as they allow the occupant to inject a dash of unexpected color throughout the space. Neutral tones also provide for easy rearranging of accessories as well as seasonal decorating within the bedroom. Maximize neutral color schemes and monochromatic color schemes in the bedroom by adding sufficient texture, via interesting bed linens, window treatments, floor coverings and wall coverings.

Color can enhance your bedroom retreat in a number of imaginative ways! Painted accent walls, stenciling and ceiling treatments are a few examples of transforming non-descript space into exciting wall coverings. Decorative accents such as painting a faux fireplace to serve as a bedroom focal point lend warm ambiance and charm. Painted doors and molding allow for the impact of contrasting paint colors. Using new latex high gloss paints gives you the look of traditional alkyd paints, but with lower odor and shorter dry times. Traditional latex high quality semi gloss paints are also excellent choices for doors, molding and trim, if you prefer a lower gloss look.

Texturing paints and glazes inspire do-it-yourself decorative painters to devise innovative "faux" paint techniques that blend particularly well within themed bedrooms. Painted headboards and other furnishings unify color schemes and promote a cohesive color palette in the bedroom space.

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Colorful Kids Rooms
Welcoming children’s rooms are spaces that encourage a growing child’s imagination. Consider allowing your child to choose a bedroom theme that expresses their unique personality. Once the theme has been selected, the bedroom color scheme will naturally follow.

As growing children’s rooms can be decorated and redecorated up to five times during their years at home, it is practical to opt for an inexpensive method of decorating. Paint affords an easy, inexpensive decorating tool that provides a rainbow of exciting colors and creative possibilities for children.

As children’s room tend to be heavily used, it is imperative that a high quality, washable paint be used in order to remove handprints, food stains, crayons and markers. Manufacturers have designed "child-friendly" children’s paints that feature bold colors, chalk paints or other specialty products.

The use of bright, bold color is especially attractive in children’s rooms. Primary colors are classic favorites for both boys and girls. Contemporary color favorites include purples, vibrant blues, pinks, yellows and greens. If your goal is to select a color scheme that your child will not soon outgrow, consider taking the "neutral plus color approach", which presents neutral wall coverings with bold painted trim. In this case, the trim color can feature any hue from traditional favorites (such as navy or red) to trendy newcomers (including the "sherbet" brights).

There are endless color-related projects that help to create inviting children’s rooms. Decorative stencils and stamps that coordinate with a designated theme can be applied to all design elements including window coverings, wall coverings, floor coverings and furnishings. Free hand painted murals accentuates a theme and serves as a dramatic focal point within the space. Painted ceilings (the rooms "fifth wall") can highlight a theme or serve as a point of interest, depicting everything from soft clouds to bright stars and interesting maps. Wall coverings can be transformed into functional design elements, including chalkboards for drawing, corkboards that display calendars and notes or "magnetic" painted walls which highlight artwork.

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Home Office Hideaways
Steadily increasing in popularity, the home office is a practical necessity for many homes. Regardless of whether the space is used for meeting with clients or simply writing household bills and e-mail, the home office can be designed in a sensible yet stylish manner.

Particularly active are home offices that "share" their living quarters with other functions, such as a guest room, master bedroom, kitchen or study. It is essential that wall coverings within these multifunctional areas be easily cleaned, particularly on the walls that adjoin computer equipment, desks and other work surfaces. Eggshell or washable flat finishes offer beauty, stain resistance and wash ability. High quality latex gloss paints boast a practical balance of glossy appearance and ease of water cleanup.

Individual or family workspaces provide the luxury of creating an area where it is possible to express your distinct décor and style preferences. Homeowners with offices that function strictly for business use may consider opting for neutral tones that convey a more serious tone. Home offices that share family business as well as function as a guest bedroom may consider choosing cool colors that present a serene tone- practical for family matters as well as restful for visiting overnight guests. Various areas of multifunctional home office spaces can be designated by the creative use of blocks of color to identify the workspace as a separate unit. Using splashes of bright colors such as oranges or yellows inject a stimulating environment for all family members who utilize the space.

Consider implementing any of these creative ideas within your home office space:

• Painted wainscoting is an elegant addition to offices that are more formal in nature.
  
  
• Painted shelving (including built-ins) adds colorful storage space to any home office area.
  
  
• Painted furniture (including unfinished, dated or flea market find pieces) can instantly unify the home office space through the exciting use of color.

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Animated Hallways
Hallways within most homes are quite often overlooked. The combined square footage of hallways in some homes is greater than the total space that is apparent within the largest room! Use hallway space to your greatest advantage. Transform underutilized hallway space into a focal point with the creative use of color! Using paint to add color to the walls, ceiling and floors within a hallway space can turn what was once meaningless space into warm, welcoming areas within the home interior.

The deliberate use of color can alter the appearance of hallways. For instance, light shades of color make compact hallways appear larger. Visually "shorten" the feel of a long hallway by selecting a darker tone, and paint the end wall using this color selection. To create a hallway that is wider in appearance, paint the ceiling and floors in a hue that is darker than the wall coverings. Odd shaped hallways can be given the illusion of greater balance by painting the ceiling and floors in darker shades to create a squared appearance. (Consult the "Maximizing Benefits of Color area of the paintquality.com website for specific color specifications.) Remember that for hallway color choice to blend harmoniously, colors should blend with the surrounding, existing color scheme and overall décor.

As hallways are very heavily used areas, (children and pets enjoy leaving their handprints and paw prints on every conceivable spot!) it is necessary to apply durable and washable finishes such as Eggshell or Low Luster finishes.

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Likeable Living Rooms
More often used for family relaxation than formal entertainment, today’s living rooms reflect comfortable, stylish spaces. An ideal location to highlight a unique decorating "persona", color choices for living rooms can be as bold or relaxing as the individual preferences of the homeowner.

Decorative paint techniques utilized in living room spaces demonstrate a homeowner’s preference for added texture, color and style. Utilizing a "Combing" or "Dragging" technique, for instance on one representative accent wall that is within in a small, square living room area can lend the illusion of added length and space. Consider decorative techniques that provide fabric like appearances such as leather, suede and silk to impart an elegant appearance for living rooms that portray a formal air. Denim, chambray and chenille fabrications can also be achieved through the use of decorative paint techniques for the more casually styled living room space.

Neutral color selections provide a soothing effect and blend graciously with furnishings and fabrics that contain bold patterns, as well as featured collections within the living room space. Neutral color schemes also conform quite easily to living room interiors that feature seasonal changes in décor.

Consult the Paint Quality Institute’s Color Wheel for assistance with color schemes that feature bold complementary color choices. By introducing one or more bold hues to the living room space, it is possible to create an environment that stimulates energy and excitement.

Eggshell paints are particularly desirable when living room spaces are used for family relaxation, as they contain low angle sheen combined with durability. Depending upon the look you desire for your living room, matte paints are also available which possess good wash ability and stain resistance.

Consider adding distinctive flair to the living room space by incorporating color by means of painted picture frames used as decorative accents, painted "faux" fireplaces add ambiance and charm, or contrasting painted moldings and trim within the living room space.

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Livable Laundry Rooms
There are many ways to realize the benefits of the compact laundry room space- part of the home interior where we spend more of our time than we realize. With a bit of resourcefulness, there are several innovative options that offer a pleasant and more enjoyable laundry room area.

Consider treating your laundry space to a facelift! For all of the hours that are spent sorting and folding clothing, why not furnish the space as any other small space within your home? Decorative enhancements such as window treatments, wall coverings and decorative accessories do not require a large financial investment, but add a personalized touch to the laundry area.

Explore the possibility of creating a theme for your laundry room space. Start by selecting a specific color scheme. Stencil or paint a freehand border around the windows that demonstrate the laundry room theme. Botanical and garden motifs are popular contemporary laundry room themes. Create imaginative and inexpensive wall art by matting and framing various leaves (from your own backyard!) using inexpensive wooden picture frames. Unify the framed grouping by painting frames using an existing hue from your chosen color scheme. Using the existing color scheme, paint inexpensive containers in solids, floral and other patterns. Use containers to store cleaning supplies and other laundry necessities.

Splashes of water, detergent, spray starch and bleach require paints that contain excellent wash ability and stain resistance characteristics. Keep these factors in mind when selecting and purchasing paint for the renovation of your laundry room space. High quality semi gloss paints work well; eggshell finishes can also be used for good stain removal properties, but with a softer sheen. Kitchen/Bathroom paints supplied by your paint retailer would also be good choices for laundry rooms since high moisture will also contribute to mildew growth.

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Sensational Sunrooms
Most sunrooms are designed with the purpose of allowing increased light to enter the home, via multiple windows, skylights, glass block or full pane doors. Creating optimum natural lighting characteristics within the designated sunroom space allows for the experimentation and implementation of numerous color options.

For those who are opting for a tranquil and spacious sunroom, consider utilizing calming blues and greens are part of your sunroom color scheme. Popular garden motifs and the concept of "bringing the outdoors inside" highlight a soothing color scheme that is comprised of a soothing blue and green color palette. In contrast, yellows and oranges impart vibrant energy to a space and lend themselves toward the creation of a stimulating sunroom space. Consider these types of brilliant and vivid hues when the goal is to establish an exciting sunroom space.

Allow color to assist with appealing to all five of the senses when designing a sunroom. Texture, for instance, can be incorporated through the use of lavish accent rugs and cozy quilts and throws. Fresh flowers, candles and potpourri add continuous heavenly aromas to the space. The clever use of color imparted to all design elements including wall paints, other painted accents and floors assist in uniting the sunroom.

Since sunrooms ‘encourage’ sunlight to come into the room, the use of a 100% acrylic Exterior paint is very desirable since they will have excellent color fade resistance. Exterior paints can be tinted to a full range of colors, so you can enjoy the color you want with the performance you need. Exterior paints are also available in flats, sheens and semi gloss finishes.

Painted ladders to be used to hold flower pots or as end tables; painted screens hinged together make wonderful corner accents and be painted solid, stenciled or distressed - depending on the motif of your sunroom. Floors of sunrooms can also be painted - either with designs to simulate a rug or in patterns to simulate tile. Special floor paints are available that will have maximum adhesion to the surface you’re painting and maximum wear resistance.

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Mudroom Makeovers
The mere name given to this room derives a negative connotation, but mudrooms do not only exist as storage places for wet jackets and dirty shoes. First impressions for many households, mudrooms help create a mood as individuals enter the home. Regardless of size or style of the mudroom, the innovative addition of color offers practical and decorative enhancement to the space.

First decide how you envision that the mudroom will function. Consider the size and layout of the space, existing windows and lighting, walls and flooring. If a dark, windowless mudroom is to be solely used for storage purposes, consider installing floor to ceiling built-in shelving and plenty of hooks for hanging items. In this case, a cheerful color scheme would perk up a gloomy space.

One option is to select two contrasting colors (contrasting colors are on opposite sides of the color wheel) as the basis for your color scheme to instantly brighten up the space. Instead of painting the built-in shelving in a solid tone, add a touch of whimsy by alternating shelving colors from one hue to the next. If space permits, benches and window seats that open for storage are practical options to consider. Quality, high sheen paint that coordinates with the desired color scheme is a practical option for widely used seating options. Paint a "faux" rug to breathe life into a deteriorating or dark wooden floor, or paint the floor in its entirety. Again, use specially designed floor paints for maximum performance and durability.

Take advantage of functional space that greets family members and guests with a lasting first impression!

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Creative Craft and Hobby Spaces
Often created by ‘borrowing" underutilized or unconventional space within the home interior, today’s hobby and craft areas continue to surge in popularity. As the nature of these spaces represents an area where creative juices are endlessly flowing, let your imagination run wild when designing the space!

The enormity of hues offered by existing paint manufacturers provides an unlimited amount of color combinations, depending upon the ambiance that you wish to display within the hobby space. If your particular hobby lends itself toward a specific color or combination of colors, why not incorporate the color grouping as the basis for your room design? For instance, outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and fishing all lend themselves to earthy, natural colors. Forest green, sandy brown and sky blue would be an example of a preferred color grouping for a nature enthusiast that prefers the outdoor landscape.

If your hobby space is "shared" as part of an existing room there are a couple of color options to consider. One idea is to incorporate a similar (or non-competing) color scheme that is apparent within the room. In this case, the hobby room takes on the color persona of the room where it exists. A second option would be to highlight the craft space by means of a decorative divider, using color to designate where the existing room ends and the hobby area begins. In this case, a folding screen or shutters can be painted and serve as a focal point, representing the entrance to the hobby or craft space.

Whatever your hobby or craft preference, allow your distinct style to shine by incorporating stylish color within your distinctive space.

Since Hobby and Craft walls tend to ‘attract’ marker and crayon marks, handprints and other stains, using high quality eggshell or washable sheen paints offer real advantages for keeping the surrounding areas clean and looking new.

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The ABC’s of Planning A Colorful Nursery
When preparing for the arrival of a new baby, plan for safety and function first, then plan for fun! Create a nursery theme that your baby will not soon outgrow. Themes such as jungle animals, sports, outer space and floral are creative and timeless choices.

As for nursery colors; instead of pastels (the traditional choice for a baby’s nursery), opt for primary colors, updated neutrals or harmonious hues (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel) to represent the color palette for wall coverings, window treatments and linens.

Explore offbeat ways to impart color within the nursery space. Stencil a border on a wooden headboard, paint a verse from a favorite poem or song above a closet, or apply a decorative paint technique (such as sponged clouds) on the ceiling.

Freehand, painted stripes add interesting pattern and a touch of whimsy to the nursery space. Consider thin, vertical stripes as a choice for smaller nurseries and wider stripes for more expansive nursery spaces. Customize the nursery space further by using the same color scheme to paint coordinating stripes on lampshades, headboards, bedside tables, chests of drawers or shelving.

Remember that as your little one begins to walk, handprints will eventually grace the windows and walls in the nursery. Consider semi-gloss and high gloss, quality paints that promote durable and easy care cleaning.

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Colorful Kids Study Spaces
With a bit of imagination, it is possible to create a study space where your child will look forward to spending time. First, maximize function and storage. Next, plan for an original and innovative workspace! Allow color to set the tone of the workspace.

Warm color schemes are an appealing option for a child’s study space. Warm color schemes are filled with cozy hues such as oranges, reds and yellows, which help create a cheerful atmosphere. Painting walls a few tones deeper than the color of carpet, for instance, will make the study space appear more inviting. Warm colors are particularly practical for north-facing exposures that receive limited light, or spaces that contain few windows. Moderate warm color schemes with the addition of a neutral accent color, such as ivory, sand or sage.

Personalize furnishings and decorative accessories with the desired color scheme. Painted desks, hutches and chairs can serve as bold focal points within the study space. Painted shelving and desk accessories, such as file cabinets, pencil holders, framed photographs and trash cans act as handsome enhancements that help to unify the space with the desired color scheme.

Celebrate your child’s individuality! It is possible to select a durable, easily washable paint (such as semi-gloss or gloss) that satisfies Mom, while also choosing a color palette that will reflect the child’s unique personality. You and your child will be pleasantly satisfied with the appearance of the colorful, new study space!

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