6 Tips for Picking Paint Colors

Paint is a simple way to breathe new life into your space and change up the style. However, choosing a paint color can feel daunting. While you can always repaint, most people would rather get it right the first time.

So how do you choose the right paint colors from the literal thousands of options? We’ve put together 5 tips for finding the perfect paint color for your new SummerHill home.

Start with inspiration images

The endless color options make choosing a paint color the hardest part. Before heading to the paint store, collect images of rooms you’d love living in, then closely analyze them to uncover why you’re drawn to those rooms. Don’t focus on the color just yet; think about the feel of the room. Is it light and airy? Dark and moody? Bright and playful? Understanding the mood you’d like to have in each room will help you narrow down the paint categories.

Examine existing colors

You want to make sure your chosen paint color complements the existing colors already in your space, especially if you don’t plan to completely redecorate. Decide which pieces and colors you want to keep in the room and begin to build your color palette around what remains.

Determine the room’s purpose

The first step to picking paint colors is determining the purpose of the room. How do you plan on using the space and who will be using it? The room’s purpose will impact the color you’ll want to consider: if it’s a workspace, you’ll probably want something energizing like a warm tone. Bedrooms should be calm and relaxing so cool tones are a safe bet.

Consider the lighting

Lighting has the biggest impact on how colors look in your home. Natural light will give you the truest color while artificial lighting may bring out different tones. That’s why the same color can look different in different rooms. Incandescent bulbs usually bring out more warm tones and yellows and fluorescent lighting can cast a blueish tone.

The position of your room will affect the amount of natural light it receives. South-facing rooms get a lot of light throughout the day so cooler tones are good options to balance the naturally yellower lighting. Warm tones are good for rooms with northern exposure. You have your choice of warm or cool colors for rooms with eastern- and western exposures.

Think of the whole house

With a bit of planning, you can create a cohesive flow through your home without painting it all in a single color. Choosing complementary colors will ensure all the spaces in the main area and hallways blend together. Here are some additional paint considerations to take if you have an open-concept plan.

Test before committing

The cardinal rule of painting is to test before committing. If you skip this crucial step, you risk wasting time and money repainting the room. After choosing a few paint colors, get the largest swatches available or grab sample pots of paint and test them on poster board or a light wood like balsa. This will allow you to move them around the room and see how they look against your flooring, fixtures, and see them in different lighting. You can also get a better idea of how the color will look in adjacent spaces.

Having the freedom to choose paint colors outside of white is a definite perk of owning your own home. If you’re interested in learning more about our new home communities, visit us at SummerHillHomes.com. We have several new home communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

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