How To Choose A Paint Color

There are thousands of appealing paint colors to consider for your next project. Unfortunately, shopping for paint is not as simple as buying the first color that you like; remember that you are going to see the color you choose every day for a long time. Use this handy guide to learn how to choose a paint color that works long-term.

Consider the overall color scheme

When you are standing in front of a wall of colors, you may find yourself overwhelmed. Before you start grabbing random colors, consider what you already have in your home. Unless you are laying new carpet or flooring, you want a color that makes the best use of what you have. You also want a color that complements other colors in adjacent rooms and any furniture you already have.

Grab some cards

The sample color cards you see at store are free. These are also easy to print from your computer. If you suspect that your printer cannot emulate the exact shade of paint on the cards, then pick up the approved cards from the paint booth, so you know exactly what you are considering. Take the cards home and tape them all to the wall. This lets you see not only how each color looks in the natural light of the room and beside the current flooring, it also lets you see how each color compares to the others in those respects.

Sample it

Once you have narrowed your paint color search down to one or two options, there is one more precautionary step you can take. Most paint retailers sell small containers of their colors. These cans are used for touch-ups, small projects and testing. By purchasing a mini can first, you can see how the dried paint actually looks on your walls and beside any trim or molding.

Choosing a paint color is a long-term commitment. To make sure you have exactly the color you want, follow the above steps to identify the shade that works best with your color scheme as well as existing flooring and furniture.

Choosing a paint color is a long-term commitment

by Bane Briller, Home & Garden writer