With endless shades to choose from, it’s easy to pick the wrong paint color. Even basic colors like white come in hundreds of different variations. You may even fall victim to a shade that looks lovely on its swatch but loses its luster once on your walls. To avoid paint color regret, follow these five tips when picking your next shade.
- Weather the trends.
Kitchen trends come and go, so while the PANTONE Color of the Year may be exciting right now, you may not be thrilled with it in a few months or years. Paint is definitely something that is easy enough to change if you’re up for the task — but if you’re not, weather the trends by sticking to classic shades that you won’t grow tired of.
- Stay away from store swatches.
Typically, a color will look much different on your walls than that white piece of cardstock at the paint store. While the swatches can give you a good idea of what the color looks like, expect it to appear much more saturated on your actual walls. Other factors can also affect what a paint color looks like, such as how much natural light the room gets.
- Do your own test at home.
It may seem bothersome to buy those little sample cans of paint, but it will be well worth it in the end — Especially if you are indulging in one of those kitchen trends and giving 2018’s Ultra Violet a go. It’s important to live with a paint color before committing to it, and the best way to do that is by painting a small section of the room with your color of choice.
See how the paint color complements your furniture, cabinetry, and flooring. You’ll also want to take note of how the color changes from morning to night, as the amount of daylight fluctuates. After a few days, you’ll know for certain if you’re ready to welcome this specific shade into your heart and home.
- Don’t overdo it.
It is absolutely possible to prefer a color in small doses. If you love a paint color but find it overwhelming on all walls, you don’t have to dismiss it completely. It might serve as the perfect accent wall to an otherwise neutral room. In fact, this approach can actually make a color more powerful, as it captures attention and becomes the room’s unique focal point.
- Give it a second look.
As we mentioned before, the way the paint saturates on your wall, and even how much natural light it receives, can dramatically affect the way it looks. Interestingly, a paint color can also look different from various vantage points in the room. This can happen for a several reasons, including the artificial lighting in the room, or shadows from furniture and appliances. Before you decide you dislike the color completely, try adding or adjusting the lighting in the room. Something as small as adding an accent light or shifting a piece of furniture a few inches could make all the difference.
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