If you've ever been to a paint shop or flicked through a fandeck, you'll know that selecting a paint colour is not as easy as just asking for a white (because there are hundreds of them!). As the background to all your possessions, the colour of your walls sets the tone for the rest of the interior. That's why it's so important that the colour is right for the space and feel you want. But don't panic, I have put together 5 tips to help you select the perfect colour:
1 | Decide on the overall feel you want in the room
Do you want the space to feel bright, minimal, cosy, moody? Think about what the room will be used for and what makes the most sense for that room. If your flooring, furniture and/or window furnishings are staying as they are, also think about what feel they give in the space and select a colour to suit.
2 | Consider the undertone
Colours are usually either warm or cool toned, and choosing the right tone for your home makes a huge difference. Following on from my point above, the undertone should match the feeling you want for the room, but it should also work with your furniture, artwork, flooring, etc. Warm colours usually have yellow, red or orange undertones, and feel cosy and soft. Cool colours usually have a blue or purple undertone and can feel more fresh and contemporary.
3 | Look at them in the space
Colours change in different lights so it's not a great idea to select a colour in a bright paint shop. We always recommend to either purchase a sample tin and paint swatches on your walls or buy large brush outs to place around the home (some companies do peel and stick ones which are great for this!). We also suggest that you try your sample tin / brush out on a wall with lots of natural light, and on a wall with little light. If possible, play with your sample colours near any fixed joinery and furniture to make sure it all works together.
4 | Match or contrast woodwork and ceilings
Once your wall colour is chosen, you need to decide on what you will do for the skirting boards, architraves, doors, trims and ceilings/cornices. For example in contemporary homes, if I have selected a light colour for the walls, then I usually use the same colour on all the woodwork and ceilings. However, I generally do different finishes to create subtle contrast - flat for ceiling/cornices and semi-gloss on the woodwork. If you're going for a more traditional look, then I recommend contrasting the walls to the woodwork and ceilings. Usually I use a builder's white, but if you're feeling bold you can select a darker tone for woodwork instead! Just keep the undertones in mind when pairing colours together.
5 | Be wary of trends
This is true when it comes to selecting anything for our homes, and it is so important to keep in mind when selecting your paint aswell. Following trends can mean you end up selecting a colour that doesn't work for the feel or purpose of the room, or that it doesn't go with your existing finishes and furniture. This is also important when selecting feature colours for single rooms / walls, as they can end up feeling dated in just a few years.
I hope these tips has been helpful for you! If you are planning to build or renovate and want to get in contact with us, you can do so by filling out the client contact questionnaire below,
Hope you have a wonderful week,
Nina xx