Why is it so difficult to choose a paint color?

Why is it so difficult to choose a paint color? As a decorator, I see a lot of clients' homes. More often than not, I hear, "I thought this was the perfect color until I saw it on the wall". So many times the homeowner has chosen a color that does not co-ordinate with their decor. Why is that? Many homeowners will choose a color that they have seen in a magazine. The problem with that, you don't have the same accessories as the magazine picture!! Sometimes they will see a paint color they like at a friend's home. Once again, unless you have a carbon copy of your friend's home, it won't work!!

So what do you do? Here are some guidelines to help you.

• Every color has an undertone. Meaning all beige's started as a color, whether it's yellow, red, green, or orange. So pay attention! There are also cool tones and warm tones. Every color has a warm tone and a cool tone. Getting the tone correct is half the battle!! These colors below are all consider beige in color, BUT have different base colors. You won't notice it, until you've painted it on the walls!! 

• Determine what undertones are in your room. Like your carpet, flooring, counter tops, tiles, and so on. This will have a huge impact on the color choices you make. Here is a great example of how warm colors co-ordinate nicely with one another.

snapyourcolors.com

• Keep all your neutrals the same undertones. By doing this you are assured of having a successful color palette. All the colors below are in the blue-green family. They will work well together.

materials-world.com

• Don't forget lighting. All colors will look different in different lightening situations, like morning sun, afternoon shade, evening lighting, LED, incandescent, and fluorescent. So make sure you test the colors in these situations.

stevejenkins.com

• Use large paint samples. Many companies like Sherwin Williams offer 8x11 samples that can be ordered online. This is great because you can now truly see the color.

c2paint.com

• NEVER paint the color sample on the wall. The existing color will influence the color swatch and you will not get a true read!!

homerenovations.about.com

These guidelines will help you when choosing your color palette. You can also decide to hire a color specialist. This small investment will assure you that the color you are choosing is the correct one, there-by eliminating any costly mistake. So well-worth the price!!

#AbellaHomeStaging

At Abella Home Staging & Redesign, we believe any home can be beautifully transformed. We believe in delivering a custom-made look, but without the custom-made price tag!! Call us and let's get started today!!