Expert Tips on How to Choose the Best Paint Colour
Colour can be the key to entirely change the mood in a space, it can create or diminish your sense of the space. It can make small objects appear larger and can make large objects diminished as well as create rhythm through repetition between the same room or different rooms!
Colour is one of the most powerful tools a designer can use!
And this is why we’ve asked Toronto-based designer Nathalia Hara to help us out with some expert tips for choosing the best paint colour palette for your home. Here’s what Nathalia had to say:
What is the mood you want to bring to the room?
Ok, who never googled the meaning of a colour before New Year’s Eve? Apart from this belief, colour psychology is the study of hues as a determinant of human behaviour. Colour influences perceptions that are not obvious, such as the taste of food, and have qualities that can cause certain emotions in people.
What are the emotions and perceptions you want to stand out in your new room? Do you want the feeling to be restful and peaceful or dramatic and intimate? Warm colours reflect light which makes a room seem physically warm and bright, on the other hand, cool colours absorb light making the room darker and creates a serene and soothing environment.
Don’t forget about Lighting
Without light, colour doesn’t exist! Think about all the natural and artificial light in your room. Natural light changes not only from sunrise to sunset but also throughout the year and the cardinal direction of your room’s window. A north-facing room, for example, will be slightly darker because of the cool and blue Northern light.
Artificial lighting makes a huge impact too, the colour temperature of the bulb can completely change your colour choice. A good tip for this, go to paint stores that have light boxes for you to test paint chips. Here is a cool picture for you to understand how a change in Kelvins changes the colour temperature.
Via: QC Design School
Play with the Colour Wheel
Colour Wheel helps you to determine which colour scheme you will use for your design. You can find at arts & craft stores or you can even download some apps for free. You can create a calm and relaxing environment by using an adjacent colour scheme (using 2-4 colours which are side by side on the colour wheel), or you can add a complementary colour from one of the colours you chose and bring a pop of energy to the room.
Create a statement with an accent wall
Create a statement or a focus point by adding an accent wall with a stronger colour that will complement your colour palette. Don’t be afraid to go beyond your comfort zone!
Test some samples
I always recommend my clients to test the paint colour on their walls before committing to the colour. You will see that colours do look different on the chips x the walls. Paint samples are no expensive, it is usually between CAD5 to CAD15 and the investment is completely worth it, and it will save you from costly mistakes.
Understand the types of paint
When choosing the type of paint, you must remember that it will not only be for the walls. You must think about the ceiling, cornices, architraves, doors, and windows too. The glossier the type of paint, the easier will be to clean it, but the imperfections of the surface will be highly visible.
Eggshell is a good choice for the bedroom’s walls, it has 10-25% glossiness, it has a slight sheen and is often described as “matte plus”, the finish is more durable than flat paint and it is easier to clean. For the cornices, architraves, windows, and door you can either go with Satin or Semi-Gloss, they have higher gloss which makes them easier to clean and suitable for high traffic areas.
Specialty paint finishes
You can always create more interest in a room by adding textures. If you do not want to go with wallpapers or decals, for example, you can invest in some specialty paint finishes. They are often made up of two or more parts that will need to be applied separately with a brush, rag, roller or towel. Take a loo on some popular choices:
Liquid Zinc with Zinc Ageing Solution
French Wash
Fresco
Hire a Professional Colour Consultant
Last but not least, you can always count with a professional colour consultant to help you transform your room! You can avoid costly mistakes like purchasing furniture in the wrong colour, and even paying a professional painter only to realize you've made a terrible mistake after it's on the walls.
About the Author
Nathalia Hara is the founder of One Design and DecorMeUp!
One Design is where Nathalia creates all the design processes for her clients, from the first design meeting to setting up the furniture and decor pieces. With the goal to make Interior Design affordable to everyone, Nathalia created DecorMeUp, an online Decor service where she will transform your room with moodboards and realistic 3D renderings! She also provides 3D services to architects, contractors and remodel companies!
If you have any questions or want to know more about Nathalia's services, get in touch with her on Instagram @nathaliaharadesign or send her an e-mail at hello@onedesigninteriors.ca. You can also find more information about DecorMeUp packages at www.decormeup.com
Website: www.decormeup.com
Email: hello@onedesigninteriors.ca
Instagram: @nathaliaharadesign
Facebook: @onedesigninteriors