One of the best, fastest, and least expensive way to add warmth to any room is to use paint, but one of the toughest decisions is choosing a color. In the selection process, be aware that deep colors have different effects in different rooms. You will often read that deep colors make rooms feel closed in–not cozy. This is not always true, but be particularly careful in small spaces. Cozy is nice; tight and claustrophobic–not so good. Dark color on one wall can be a dramatic accent and could be a good place to start if you have never before used deep color on walls. I wish there was a hard and fast rule, but each room presents its own challenges.
Don’t lose heart! Here are some tips to help in this process:
If you’ve been looking through magazines and books and have a clipping file, you probably can see which colors you are drawn to. You do not need to spend a penny to look. Your public library probably has volumes of books and stacks of decorating magazines to use for inspiration. Just remember these books and magazines are library property. (It is very frustrating to check out magazines and discover that someone has gone on a clipping spree!) Just make a photo copy and keep it in your file. After a while, you will most likely see a pattern in the styles of rooms you like as well as colors that you love.
After choosing a color, head to your local paint store (or any Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, Walmart, etc.) and take a look at the paint cards. The color selection everywhere is huge and can be overwhelming. Focus on the color you had in mind–say blue–and begin looking at the 2,000 different shades of blue that are available. Pick several samples and take the cards home. The colors always look different in natural or home light than they do under fluorescent lights in a warehouse. Tape them on your wall, maybe against your woodwork, so that you can look at them at different times of day (in different lights.) Start eliminating chips until you are left with only two or three. (You might be able to pick THE one. If so, great!) If you can narrow your choices to two or three, you might want to consider buying the smallest amount of paint possible to test a patch on your wall. Many stores sell small quantities now–pint or half-pints. Just ask and see. If not, it may benefit you to go ahead and spring for the quart. It might seem a little pricey, but if you try it and don’t like it, you’ve saved yourself two gallons or more of paint and a good half of a day!
When you have one or two or three samples painted on your wall, live with it for a few days. Just like you did with the paint chips, observe your test patches in differents lights. Finally, just decide. Here’s the thing: It’s only paint (and a little time.) You can always paint over it if it doesn’t turn out like you wanted. Just please, do paint over it if that should happen. It is really not fun to have to be in a room that is the color of pea soup when you wanted a soft sage. I ought to know. I have made my share of color mistakes. But I’ve also felt the contentment that comes when I know the color is just perfect.
Now, it’s your turn. Take a chance on some color. Soft colors, warm neutrals, or bold statements–just give it a try. You might love your own taste and have that wonderful feeling that comes when you walk into your own room and know that you did this–and you love it!
