Choosing Paint Colors the HD Painting and Stain Way

What is it about choosing paint colors that makes HD Painting and Stain different? Whether it’s red, purple, gray or white, it’s all color! And we love working with color! Recently, our color consultant, Nathan, talked about how he helps our clients make successful paint color choices that bring them satisfaction and joy!

Following these steps will help you understand what you like, why you like it and how to choose it.

Step 1: Assess the Work to Be Done

When choosing paint colors, it’s important to understand the scope of the work to be done. Ask yourself what exactly are you doing to the room? Are you painting walls? Ceilings? Trim? Doors? Will the flooring be changed in any way? Is this a quick refresh? Or a jazzy update?

Have a clear knowledge of the tasks before you. Recognize the changes you are making to the room to visualize your starting point.

Nathan advises, “Look at the room as a blank canvas. It’s waiting for you to fill in the details.”

Step 2: Assess the Expectations for the Room

How are you going to use this room? Is it going to continue to be your dining room? Or is it going to be a home office now? How are you planning to decorate? What colors and types of fabrics are you introducing into the space? Even if you’re not changing the room’s décor, consider the colors of the furniture and your room’s accessories.

Using the ideas generated by this discussion, Nathan says he’s already beginning to choose paint colors to accentuate the room’s décor and reflect its use.

Step 3: Assess the Energy

Nathan says, “Feel is a big deal. People recognize that a room has an atmosphere or feeling about it without realizing it comes from the color choice.”

What do you want the room to say? How do you want it to make you feel when you walk in? This is the room’s atmosphere, its energy.

Do you want to walk into your bedroom and feel peaceful or invigorated? Is your living room the place to play or relax? As the center of family life, the kitchen can be a lively place. Do you want to feel energized or create a sense of calm? Get to the heart of the mood you want your room to reflect. Knowing this helps you in choosing paint colors to successfully achieve that atmosphere.

Warm colors, such as red, orange, yellow, or pink, add energy and excitement to a room’s atmosphere. Cool colors, like green, blue or purple, bring a sense of soothing calm and relaxation. Neutrals (brown, gray, white, black, and metallics) create a sense of style and elegance in a space.

To assure success in choosing your paint colors, the undertones in the paint must be cohesive. Warm colors have red, orange, or yellow undertones. Cool colors have green, blue, or purple undertones. After you’ve chosen your color palette, review your paint colors for similar undertones. Often it’s mismatched undertones that undermine a successful color scheme.

Step 4: Assess the Lighting in the Room

Most people don’t realize the type of lighting in their rooms affects the appearance of the paint colors on their walls. Is the light in your room primarily from bulbs? Does sunlight have a significant impact on the lighting in your room?

Consider the types of light bulbs you are using. Soft white and warm white incandescent bulbs and LED bulbs give off a warm, yellowish light reinforcing a warm and cozy feeling in the room. Bright white and daylight bulbs have a bluish tone bringing a more energetic feel to the room. And, of course, the popular Edison bulbs with their amber color warm up whatever space they’re used in.

Nathan says lighting is so important to choosing paint colors that he has suggested different bulbs to clients to help get the effect they’re looking for.

Step 5: Find Your Paint Colors

Your living space reflects your personality. As such, Nathan spends time talking with clients to help them get an idea of what color direction they are going and to establish a base palette from which to work.

Ask yourself: “What colors do you like?” Are you high-energy? Then consider warm and/or bright colors. Is your home your refuge, your place to just chill? You’ll want to choose cooler, softer hues.

As there are so many different shades and hues of color available, Nathan typically helps clients to begin choosing their paint colors with just one color. Once the color/mood/personality of the room is established, Nathan looks for 3 or 4 different shades or hues, usually from light to dark, within that color: “This way I’m helping the client to choose their colors without overwhelming them.”

It’s also important to consider whether contrast is appropriate in the room. Are there architectural features you want to emphasize? Will a contrasting color create an illusion, such as a bigger or smaller space, that you would like to incorporate? Use a color wheel to help determine pleasing complementary color schemes.

As Nathan so aptly puts it, our job at HD Painting and Stain is “…creating a canvas for the client to decorate the room to fit their vision.” In helping you with choosing paint colors, our goal is finding your perfect palette for your special treasures to create your perfect home.