How to Choose Interior Paint

Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to instantly transform your home. When looking for a fresh start in a room or in your entire home paint is one of the best places to start.

Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to instantly transform your home.  When looking for a fresh start in a room or in your entire home paint is one of the best places to start.  Depending on the color, finish or pattern you choose, paint can quietly set a background tone or be the entire focal point of a room.  Airy, serene, bold, moody, tranquil, invigorating – these are all words to describe how paint in a room can make you feel.  That is a lot of power in one little can.  But, today there are many different colors, styles and sheens of paint which can make choosing a paint feel overwhelming.  What is right for one particular room may not be right for another.  Below are some tips for choosing paint so that you can make an informed decision and transform your home to the look and style you want with paint.

1. Choose Color

Paint color may seem simple enough – red, blue, green, white, yellow or more?  Not so much.  For every basic color such as red, there are tens and even hundreds of shades of that color.  How do you choose one shade of red from 50?  Will it really turn out like the swatch?  Will it be too light or too dark?  A light color will make a room feel more light and bright and may even make a room feel larger.  When choosing a color you also need to consider the mood you want to set for the room.  Many studies have shown that color directly affects mood.  For example, warm earth tones such as red, yellow or orange encourage conversation, red also stimulates appetite which may be a great thing or a bad thing in the kitchen, and blues, or lavenders are soothing tones that are great for bedrooms and bathrooms.

2. Choose Pattern

The most simple and traditional application of paint is to paint one room one color in one finish.  But, this is far from the only option.  You could paint one wall as an accent wall in a room or using tape you could paint a variety of patterns.  Whether you use multiple colors or the same color in different sheens, any pattern you can dream of can be achieved with paint, patience, a measuring tape and a level.  You can use paint to draw attention to architectural features, art, furniture or more by making bold or interesting choices with color, sheen and pattern.

3. Choose Sheen

One last but very important consideration – sheen.  Paint sheen not only determines how “shiny” a paint is but also its durability.  For example, the kind of paint you use in a living room or on an accent wall may be different than the paint you use in a kitchen or children’s playroom.  Flat paint is best for low-traffic areas and ceilings, eggshell paint has a soft appearance with a small amount of sheen which is good for moderate traffic areas because it is not too shiny but is still durable, satin paint has more of a pearl appearance and is ideal for moderate and high traffic areas because it is very durable and washable as well as moisture resistant, semi-gloss paint has a high sheen with a sleek finish and is ideal for cabinetry and trim and any high moisture or traffic areas and, lastly, high-gloss paint has the most sheen with an almost glass-like finish that is good for surfaces that are frequently used.