5 Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing Paint Colors
Paint isn’t permanent, but the painstaking efforts that go into a painting project warrant deep consideration before you bring the brush to the surface -- after all, if you’re unhappy with the results, you’ll have to live with them for several years or start again, and neither option is ideal. People make plenty of mistakes during the painting process itself, but the biggest slip up often occurs much earlier, during paint color selection. Picking the right colors for your property is always challenging, even if you have a general vision in mind, and there are a number of pitfalls to watch for. Here are five common mistakes to avoid when choosing paint colors.
Paint Color Mistakes to Avoid
1. Jumping the Gun
The majority of mistakes people make when choosing paint colors (or making any decision, for that matter) derive from a lack of patience. There’s something to be said for a gut feeling or the occasional lucky draw, but basing your color decisions solely off of instinct can easily get you into troubled waters. Instead, take your time, do your research, and seek advice from trusted people and pros. You might be itching to begin your paint project, but you want to be confident in your color choices before getting started. Otherwise, you might regret your decision and find yourself in a situation that is much more dragged out.
2. Not Seeing the Big Picture
Your paint color choices don’t exist in a vacuum. Rather, these colors will interplay with the tones and textures of your other surfaces and decor. So, while you might be in love with a particular color as it stands on its own, you must consider it contextually, asking yourself whether or not it might work in a given space. If you plan on painting a room two colors, for instance, you must select these colors in tandem. A neutral color might not excite you all that much, but it might provide the perfect contrast to a brighter paint color.
3. Losing Sight of Lighting
Speaking of context and color interactions, the type of lighting applied to a space can have a major impact on how a paint color (and finish) ultimately looks. If you neglect this detail, you might select a color only to realize it looks totally different in your living room. Or, if you plan on replacing your light fixtures, note that doing so can change the character of your room’s colors. Whatever the case may be, always factor light into your color choice equation, especially when it comes to interior painting where you have more control over these matters.
4. Not Taking the Time to Test Colors
This mistake is closely related to the previous one regarding how light affects color. The best way to see how a paint color will look in a particular room when all is said and done is to use samples. Obtain samples of the colors you’re considering and place them in different areas (i.e. different walls) at different times of the day to see how they look in various configurations. Try to narrow your sample color choices down to a few options to maintain focus and reduce frustration.
5. Bucking the Trends
Some people follow trends while others shrink from them intentionally. When it comes to painting your property, going with uncommon colors can certainly make your place stand out and express your personality. However, bucking paint color trends (especially for exterior painting) can be detrimental to your home’s curb appeal and market value. Conversely, following regional color trends can help you boost your home’s value, which is beneficial even if you don’t want to sell in the near future. The bottom line is this: you don’t have to choose popular colors for your home’s exterior or interior, but doing so can be a strong strategic choice and help you narrow your scope of options so you don’t get too overwhelmed by the process. In other words, it’s worth paying attention to the painting trends in your area.
Paint Color Contemplation
There’s no guarantee that you’ll be 100% satisfied with your color selections after the paint has dried. Still, by taking your time, looking at the big picture, testing out colors under different lighting setups, and keeping an eye on local trends, you can execute your paint project with much more confidence. And if you need some additional help and reassurance, reach out to reliable Raleigh house painters with plenty of color selection experience -- contact Anderson Painting.
For more about us and everything we do, call us today at (919) 610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
