Don't let paint colors be the show stopper that keeps you from you buying the home of your dreams. Painting is probably the least expensive fix to a home. This article will give you some basic design tips to think about when choosing colors for your new home.
If you plan to stay in your home for a long time, you can use bright colors freely. If you think you will move within a few years, choose neutral colors.
Think about decorating styles you have seen and liked. Your choices can range from Early American, Victorian, and Mediterranean to Contemporary styles. The decorating style you choose will give you a good starting point when choosing colors for your new home.
Does the thought of choosing your own paint colors scare you? Many hardware stores have painting/design centers that are a great resource. Go to the library or buy interior decorating and design books or magazines. Home shows are a fun way to learn what the latest trends are.
Think about putting a finish on your walls. Decorative finishes add dimension and character to a room. You can choose finishes like sponging, ragging, faux leather, stenciling, dragging, combing, spattering, faux marbling or stippling will give your home a classic look.
What color is your furniture? Choose colors that complement your furniture not clash with it.
Consider the kind of light that you get in each room. Know the direction your windows are facing. South facing windows will have sun most of the day. East or West facing windows will get sun in the morning or afternoon. North facing windows have indirect sunlight. Sunlight will make your colors look more natural.
Artificial lights affect how you will see the colors. Incandescent lights will make colors look warmer and redder than natural sunlight. Florescent lights will make colors look bluer and cooler than natural sunlight.
Decide on what time of day you will be in the room the most. Choose your colors based on the light you will be using. When you are checking out color samples for a room, check them out it at the time of day that you will be using the room.
Is the room big or small? Dark walls make a room feel smaller. Light walls make a room feel larger. Dark ceilings will make the ceiling feel lower. Light ceilings will make them feel higher and the room will feel larger.
What colors are you using in the rest of house? If you see the walls of the other rooms from the room you are in, make sure your colors complement each other. You don't want to have warm earthy colors throughout the house and then paint one room a bright robin's egg blue!
What will you use the room for? If you want a room to relax in, use calming colors. If it is a room for the family to play games and watching TV you can use bright colors.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's only paint! You will be able to select your colors for your new home with confidence when you follow these basic design tips.
By:Russie Weidl
| 