Colors of the Year, delivered by Pantone, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Dunn-Edwards, and other luminaries, are eagerly anticipated annually – and certainly great fun to explore. But while Peach Fuzz, Blue Nova, Upward, and Skipping Stones may reflect moods and movements out there, they may not reflect the lives and personalities in here.
Choosing the right paint colors for your home transcends trends; it’s about selecting hues and shades that resonate with you, compliment your style and lifestyle, and… well, provide a stunning finishing touch.
The Power of Color
The humble can of paint can perform a multitude of services. Creating a sense of spaciousness in a small room. Making a cavernous open plan cozy. Camouflaging flaws. Injecting a splash of unique personality. But, arguably, its most powerful function is creating atmosphere and influencing mood. The perfect shade can embolden us, spark our creativity, calm us down, and so much more.
No wonder choosing the right color can seem so daunting!
How to Choose the Right Paint Color
When confronted by a full, stunning, spectrum of colors:
- Think About How the Space Will Be Used
We’ll get to room size, flow, and natural light in a moment, but because color is so integral in atmosphere and our own moods, it’s wise to start here. The goal is to ensure that the color you choose aligns with, and supports, the desired function of the room.
According to color psychology, bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, and yellows) subliminally welcome people in and boost the energy. Incorporating these shades in a great room or kitchen/dining area serves the purposes of these spaces, setting a more social mood. On the other hand, cool colors (blues, greens, and grays) are associated with more restful, soothing emotions, making them a beautiful choice for bedrooms and other quieter spaces.
Color may resonate a bit differently to you (but studies find our reactions are fairly universal), so think about the mood you want to establish and which colors will nurture that.
- Consider the Size of the Room
Color is quite the illusionist. It can make a small space more open or a large one more intimate, all without changing a simple physical dimension. If you have a small room that feels a bit cramped, lighter colors and bright cool whites make it feel more expansive and open. If you are dealing with a vast room that all but echoes, a darker shade makes surfaces appear closer (and thus more cozy) while warmer tones give it a homey appeal.
The right color, and shade, can make all the difference, no matter what space challenges you’re up against. Ceiling too low or too high? A lighter or darker color will deceive the eye. Wondering what to do with a long, narrow room? Try selecting a color and using a darker shade on the shorter walls and lighter shade on the longer ones to make it look wider. There are endless tricks of the trade to ensure color works for you.
- Remember the Light
Have you ever bought an item while out shopping only to discover it’s a whole different color at home? Lighting impacts the way colors appear to us. For this reason, don’t fall in love with a color while you’re at the paint store! Instead, test a discrete swatch and see how it looks at various points of the day. It may be quite different, depending on the natural and artificial light in that space. Be sure that you are pleased with all the iterations one color can deliver.
- Think Holistically
Spaces in your home are designed for different functions and have their own personalities – but they also operate as part of a cohesive whole. When choosing paint colors, think about the flow from room to room. You might, for example, select a color palette or family and then use various shades for a coordinated look.
Another option is to use a neutral color in transition spaces, such as hallways (this works particularly well when rooms they lead to have more bold colors) and/or tying looks together by using the same neutral on all trim and doors.
- If You Don’t Like It, It Doesn’t Belong In Your Home
Delving into color psychology, sizing up room configurations, and even browsing Color of the Year options are all great, but ultimately, the right paint color for your home is only “right” if it resonates with you. It doesn’t matter what is trending; what does matter is what you like. What intrigues you.
And what is that? Answering can be harder than you thought! Try creating a digital (or physical) mood board or scrapbook full of color schemes that you like, for whatever reason. Let your judgemental mind go so you can really discover what you enjoy. You’ll likely start to notice recurring themes, and these can be the foundation for your selections.
Let’s Find The Right Color. For You.
Pinning down the perfect color is challenging, but there’s no need to go it alone. Home & Willow loves working with homeowners on color selection, creating a complete and cohesive palette that works for you – and all your moods.
Connect with the Home & Willow team and discover the difference the right colors can make.
