Some Expert
Tips On Choosing Your Interior Paint Colors
Part
of the fun of repainting a room is selecting just the right
color of paint. But with so many colors to choose from, where
do you start? According
to experts at the Paint Quality Institute, color selection
doesn't have to be difficult. By following a few basic steps,
you can simplify your decision-making and make the process
of selecting an interior paint downright enjoyable. Here's
how:
-
Collect swatches of fabric, a piece of carpeting, accent
pieces or other color "prompts" from the room you want to
paint. Take them to the color display where you buy your
paint and look for families of colors that work well with
your prompts. (Standing a few feet away from the display
can help you identify the best color options.)
-
After selecting several color cards that appeal to you,
take them' home so that you can observe the colors where
you plan to use them. If the cards contain more than one
color, view each color in isolation, either by folding the
cards or cutting them.
-
Next, tape the paint chips to the surfaces you plan to do.
(Colors may look quite different when applied to a vertical
surface like a wall, rather than a horizontal surface like
a ceiling.) Another tip for evaluating the color of wall
paint: hold the color sample at arm's length and turn around
in a circle to see how the paint will look on different
walls.
-
Colors may look very different under different lighting
conditions. For that reason, be sure to assess paint' colors
at various times of the day and evening in both natural
light and under artificial lighting. Also, if you are in
no hurry to paint, try to view the colors in both sunny
and overcast conditions.
-
If you still can't make up your mind purchase small amounts
of paint, apply the colors to pieces of wallboard, and view
those samples where you plan to paint.
-
Remember that colors intensify and darken when applied to
any large area, especially when used on several different
walls or surfaces. To compensate for this, experienced painters
know that it is better to err on the side of a lighter color
value, rather than a darker one.
-
After taking time to find the perfect paint colors for your
home, be sure to use a durable, top quality interior latex
paint on your walls and trim. These paints go on smoothly
and evenly, cover well, resist stains, and touch-up nicely.
In short, they will continue to look the way you want them
to for a long, long time.
For
more advice on paint color and interior painting, speak to a
knowledgeable salesperson where you buy your paint.
You
can also learn more about interior painting by visiting the
Paint Quality Institute's extensive Web site at www.paintquality.com.
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