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Choose the Right Paint Color

by | Mar 9, 2017 | Decorating, Home, Home Selling, Home Staging, Staging

Highlight your home’s best features and update your space with a fresh coat of paint. But deciding on a paint color can drive anyone mad. There are so many choices out there today – cobalt blue, coral, Navajo white – the options are endless. Using certain interior and exterior paint colors can spark interest from potential buyers, but also send them out the door if not done correctly.

paint color

[Author Note: This first step is if you’ll be selling a home, however all the tips provided in this post help you choose the best paint colors whether selling or staying.]
So, if you’re a home seller it’s important to remove your own opinion about color. Paint is very personal, but when selling a house you need to focus first on potential buyers.
Research your real estate market to see what homes recently sold and the color schemes used in those properties. Mimic the color scheme to create one cohesive look in your home. Note that every market will have different dominant colors buyers prefer based on the area’s style and the lifestyle buyers are looking to lead. For example, a den in a trendy city loft could have black walls, while the same room in a farmhouse wouldn’t be best suited with black walls, unless it was a chalkboard painted accent wall.
Here are seven things to consider as you consider which paint colors are best to help you successfully sell your home.

Lighting.

Pay attention to the light source in the room you’re painting. Lighting can drastically affect the way a color appears. Spaces filled with sunshine rather than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs will look completely different. The same color can even appear different based on the time of day.
That’s why when specifying colors for a space, it’s important to take light – both its presence and its absence – into consideration. Just because you love a color in the store or at a friend’s house does not mean it will work in yours. Test the color on your wall first to see if it’s right for your home.

Undertones.

All colors have undertones that are implied, even if they aren’t always visible to the eye. For instance, all grays have a tint to them, whether blue, green or even purple. Be careful when choosing colors to ensure that other items or colors throughout the room don’t bring out something you weren’t intending to.

Fixed furnishings.

Paint colors should enhance the fixed materials in a room. Pay attention to flooring, wood finishes, countertops, wallpaper and any tile within the room. It may seem like a no-brainer, but often people don’t take fixed furnishings into consideration.
Paint should complement these materials rather than make them look like an eyesore. If you have built-in cabinets that are a dark red cherry wood, avoid painting the surrounding walls orange. The colors will end up competing with each other.

Varying finishes.

Depending on the finish of the paint, matte verse semi-gloss paint can transform the look of a room. Be mindful of the varying sheens and when to use them. While high gloss is the most durable and the easiest to clean, it can show every imperfection on the wall. Matte finishes, on the other hand can be cheaper, but are less durable.

Emotional state.

When choosing colors, keep in mind that colors can evoke strong emotions. That’s why many home sellers stick to neutrals when putting their home on the market. In general, neutrals are an easy, classic way to go when picking colors. But it’s important to also make a lasting impression. Ask yourself these questions before adding a wall color to a room:

  • What’s the mood of the room? Remember the mood you want to give in each room before choosing a color palette. For instance: A bedroom should be calm and relaxing, while a kitchen can be vibrant or energetic. All white rooms can be dull and hard to keep clean, so avoid this whenever possible.
  • What’s the size of the room? Color can make rooms look larger or smaller. Warmer tones make the room feel cozy, while a cooler color can actually push out the walls of a small room, making it appear larger than it is. Don’t be afraid to go dark or bold in a small space, it can enhance the dimensions of the room.
  • What color are furniture and accessories? Bring an accessory when shopping for paint to try and match up colors, or see what hue will work well with the accent color. This can help you visualize how the room will come together.

Exterior paint colors.

A fresh coat of paint can give the entire house an exterior facelift and spruce up curb appeal. While picking a color, keep in mind the character of the neighborhood. Your color choice should blend well with what’s surrounding the property. Using different tones of tan, light gray or beige can make the property look larger and more modern. Use shades of white on the trim and an accent color on the front door to captivate those who pass by.

Interior paint colors.

The key to interior colors is to combine warm colors with neutral colors. Warm colors are inviting and give a home a little more character than plain white walls. Bold colors can turn away certain buyers. Keeping the ceiling and trim white will brighten up a room, giving the house a crisp, fresh look.
Still not sure what color to start with? Discover your personality with PPG’s Voice of Color Game , let me know in the comment section what color palettes best represent you. I’d love to hear if you have a color crush or prefer neutral territories. 
Happy Painting,

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