Paint is one of the easiest ways to transform a home. With a fresh coat of paint, a room can feel bigger and brighter or warm and cozy. Colors must be chosen carefully to ensure they provide the desired atmosphere while reflecting the owner’s style. What are some colors to consider when choosing paint for the home?
Calming Blues
Many homeowners choose the color blue for at least one room in the home. With endless shades to choose from, there is a perfect hue for everyone. One person might choose a blue that mimics the color of the sky, as they find it lifts their mood. Painters often use this shade in areas of the home where quiet is desired, such as a reading room.
Darker blues make a space feel cozy and welcoming, which is why some people opt for a dark blue shade for the bedroom. Turquoise, in contrast, is great for energizing a person. This one color can be used with white for a crisp, simplistic look when the sun shines into the room and still look amazing after dark when the room is illuminated with nothing more than candles.
Shades of Purple
Many people find gray to be a dull color. Why not go with something similar and paint a room in lilac? Similar in many ways to gray, this color is soft and romantic while remaining clean and unfussy. It adds character to any room.
People describe lilac as calm and comfortable. They want to spend more time in a room that is painted this color. It encourages them to relax and think about life while escaping from the digital world. The focus turns to their well-being and serenity.
Pink as a Neutral Color
Many people consider pink to be a neutral color when decorating. It adds warmth and interest to an area without being overwhelming. The shade of pink plays a role in this, and there are many hues to select from. Pinks with a hint of red and brown add warmth to the space while bringing to mind a late summer sunset. They can be paired with other colors from nature, such as blues and greens, easily.
Red Remains an Option
Some individuals say they will never use red in their homes. Other people, however, love how this color transforms a space. Often seen in historic homes, red compliments dark wood tones, and more people are choosing to use rich reds in their residences today. It’s an option every person should consider when working with painters to choose colors for their home.
Try Some Yellow
When people think of yellow, the bright hue of the sun may come to mind. However, yellow comes in many shades. Consider a golden yellow, one that will make any room feel warm and inviting. When the sun emerges in the spring, people want to get outdoors and bask in its rays. Doing so makes them feel happy and positive.
Painting a room yellow can invoke these same feelings. Use yellow in rooms where socializing takes place, as the color will help to add energy and vitality to the room. In addition, this color is ideal for areas of the home that often feel dark and moody. The paint will help warm these areas.
Brown is Another Option
Another option for making an area cozy is a neutral, earthy brown. The color adds elegance to any space while providing a grounding effect. Some individuals choose to use this color on its own, but it is also great for complementing other shades.
Many people find walking into a room painted brown calms them. Brown is a predominant color in nature and works well in homes when natural materials are used. The combination of color and materials makes the space look comfortable and cozy.
Take Inspiration from Nature
Brown isn’t the only color found in the natural world that looks good in homes. Consider using olive green in one or more rooms in the home. Green is both soothing and versatile. Pair it with earthly colors and natural materials or combine it with pink, purple, and other bright colors that lift a person’s mood. The green may be used for walls, cabinets, furnishings, or whatever the homeowner desires. Experts also recommend it be used in bedrooms because it presents a scheme perfect for calming a person and making them sleepy.
Try Something New
Many people opt for the same color combinations when painting rooms. Consider experimenting with new combinations to give the room a fresh look, imagine using neutrals throughout the home. Graduating shades will allow the home to flow naturally from room to room. Don’t overlook dramatic color pairings either. Use the color wheel to explore different combinations and see how they might work.
Architectural Features
Use paint to highlight architectural features in the home. Paint a window frame, incorporate an accent color on paneling’s, or use a different color on the ceiling. The ideas are endless, and a person can make a design feature their own using this one simple trick. The feature becomes a focal point and makes a functional item a work of art.
Select a Color Family and Stick with It
Choose one color to use in a room. While this may sound boring at first, by using varying shades of the same color throughout the room, a person can create a harmonious atmosphere. At the same time, the deepest hue can be paired with the palest shade for an impactful look. The color palette can be used to establish a bold and impactful look that is also subtle and calming. Many people find this decor to be very elegant.
What Not to Do When Painting
Avoid decorating a room completely in white. It is easy to see why a person would want to go this route. Not only is this color versatile and easy to work with, but a white backdrop allows the owner to change the decor in the room regularly for a fresh look. The white will go with anything the owner chooses.
However, if a person is using all white in a room to make it appear larger and brighter, they no longer need to do so. Other neutrals can offer the same benefits, so look into calming colors and warming neutrals other than white.
It is also time to leave the gray behind. At one time, gray was among the most popular paint colors, but that is no longer the case. People want colors that lift them, and gray isn’t one of them.
If a person wishes to have gray in the home, choose shades that provide depth and colorful undertones. The key is to choose gray items as accents rather than the main color in a room. By using other colors primarily, the room won’t look lifeless and flat.
The same can be said for beige. People want more color in their lives, particularly in their homes where they spend a significant amount of time. When the time comes to paint the home, look for shades that infuse the home with color and warmth.
Using Neutral Colors in the Home
If a person feels they must have neutral colors in the home or they are renting and the landlord will only let them use neutrals when painting, all hope is not lost. There are ways to dress up the neutral tones. Add some texture to a room with the help of a blanket or lampshade. Mix metals throughout the room to add drama or invest in furnishings in unusual colors or shapes.
One way to change the look of a room decorated completely in neutral colors is to add throw pillows. Choose a variety of colors, sizes, and textures to add impact quickly and easily. Bring in some plants and the work is done.
People appear to be moving toward color when painting the interior of their homes. They want the rooms to be impactful and paint is an easy way for them to do so. Once the paint is applied, the person should feel good every time they walk into the room. It should make them happy, whether the paint is designed to relax and soothe them or the colors have been selected to make the space vibrant and uplifting.
Neutral shades still work, but they have expanded beyond white, gray, and beige. Look for other neutral shades to reinvent any space in the home. Soft sage is a good example of a color that is now considered neutral. However, it is not alone. Look into shades such as white hues with a yellow undertone. In the past, white with blue undertones was popular. Warm white walls provide a person with a peaceful setting where they can relax and enjoy themselves.
Ultimately, the choice of paint color comes down to the preferences of the homeowner. While paint color trends are moving toward warmer shades, this does not mean a person has to use these shades throughout the home. Every person should use those colors that make them feel good, as the home should be a haven from the outside world. The right paint colors will help to ensure it is.