How to Choose Your Paint Colors

Once you’re sure that you want to paint your home, there are several decisions to make. Like which painter to go with, when to start etc… But arguably the most difficult of these decisions is color selection. Your choice in paint colors will dictate not only the look, but also the feel of your home. There are ways to make this process simpler, but at the end of the day, it’s just what you like to look at. Let’s discuss some good places to start.

Look at Homes in Your Area

Oftentimes, just looking around your neighborhood is the best place to start. For one, you know these homes are just like yours, so what works for them should also work for you. And two, these houses are already painted! No need to struggle trying to visualize, just observe and take note of what appeals to you. The Project Planners here at Elite Pro Painting look at houses all day, so they would be another good resource for popular color choices with your type of home.

Color Theory

If you feel like going the route of science, color theory is an objective way to view color schemes. Below is a picture of the color wheel. Notice how the colors across from each other happen to be primary and complementary.

 

 

While most of the colors in the wheel may seem a little flashy for house painting, this is still relevant information, especially if you’re choosing multiple colors. The color wheel is great for getting inspired and can help you decide what would look good next to existing colors. And speaking of existing colors…often just matching what is already there can yield beautiful results! Paint fades over time from weather and constant sunlight, so a fresh new coat with a younger, more vibrant version of the original color can bring a house back to life!

Neutral Paint Colors

Maybe the color wheel isn’t what you have in mind for your project. There are always safer options! Another great place to start is by looking through neutral tones. Neutral colors are your Greys, Whites, Browns—the colors that go with pretty much anything. Unlike other colors, neutral tones aren’t really connected to any drastic feelings or emotions. Hence the name “Neutral”. A color from this list could make a house feel safe and clean but to some, it may lack energy or character. It just depends on what you like!

Trending Paint Colors

Sometimes, choosing colors can be overwhelming, especially considering you’re trying to pick just one or two out of literally millions. If you find yourself feeling this way, consider the technological age we live in. The internet is full of lists, examples and blogs just like this one that showcase what other homeowners are choosing! See what’s trending among houses like yours or read about what might be trending a year from now! A great resource for this is Pinterest. Countless homeowners and home improvement companies post content there daily. At the very least, research like this will spark inspiration.

Test Some Paint Colors

The final method for selecting paint colors is simply to put paint on a wall. The painting experience at Elite Pro Painting goes back 20+ years, and we can attest that sometimes, you just have to see the color in the context of the space. If you pick up a few quarts of different colors to test, your painter can brush some squares on your wall to easily compare them. This way, you can easily rule out nonviable options. You should never be afraid to ask you painter to do this, it is apart of the job and their main priority should be to make sure you’re satisfied.

Still Stuck?

If none of this has helped you on your color selection journey, there is still hope. The employees at Sherwin-Williams paint store are a great resource for understanding what makes sense for your project. Again, it really just comes down to what YOU like, so don’t overthink and enjoy the process! Check out there Inspiration Gallery:

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/inspiration/gallery