3 things to consider when picking a paint colour
DO NOT Trust that little paint swatch you got at the hardware store! Your walls will thank me.
Raise your hand if you have ever painted an entire room on the whim, stepped back, and realised it looked horrible .
Yup, I’ve been there! Luckily it wasn't for a job, not even during my career. It was the summer of 2011, a young Linh in her first year of architecture school decided to paint her hallway dark grey. She went to the shop, picked a colour that looked really nice, and went back home where she proceeded to paint the walls. An hour later, she stepped back and realised the mistake she had made.
Can you relate right now? I honestly don’t know what I was thinking, especially with the colour grey. It is probably one of the hardest to pick (I know that now thanks!). You know that feeling when halfway through, you look at it, and know something is wrong, but you try to convince yourself once it is done it’ll look okay? Well it didn’t.
Ten years later,I have learnt from my mistakes and have had years of experience picking paint. It's time for me to share with you the top 3 things you need to consider when picking a paint colour.
1. Start by choosing the type of paint you want to use
Water based VS oil based
If you are hesitating between the two, let me tell you, it is a no-brainer! Have a look at this comparison chart from Dulux, it shows you how much better water base is.
The only reason why you would use oil based paint is if you are after a very highly glossy and smooth finish.
Designers usually use the “Aquanamel” for window and door frames, as it is more resistant to wear and tear.
Non-toxic Paint
You might want to look into non-toxic paint solutions. They are becoming more and more popular and their benefits are just undeniable.
These paint do not contain any VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), the chemical waste it leaves behind is non bio-degradable and non recyclable. It can lower the risk of lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases as it’s made from natural materials such as seeds or wax.
And believe it or not, it is more cost efficient! Although it might cost more to buy, the paint stretches better and has better coverage so you need less coats.
If you’d like me to make a post about non toxic paints, please send me a message and let me know. I could talk about it all day!
Check out Sherwin-Williams Harmony, their innovative technology purifies your home’s air by reducing toxic emissions from other household products. And odour from pets! Pretty cool right?
2. Then select the right sheen level
The shinier you go, the more durable it is. Not ideal since matte paint has been a clear favourite these past few years. There are four mains levels of sheen:
- Gloss finish: durable and easy to clean, but let’s face it, not the nicest looking
- Semi gloss finish: great if you are after a more classic look, it works well on walls but you can also use it for your skirting boards and door frames
- Low sheen: my go to finish. It’s not to shiny but has a nice velvety shine to it so it’s not flat either. It’s hard wearing and easy to clean
- Matt: I love matt, especially in black since it absorbs all light and colour, so sophisticated! But beware, I have found it to lack a bit of depth and texture and warmth when used on a big surface.
3. And finally the best part: the colour
Out the of 3 things to consider when picking a paint colour, this one is the most exciting! There are thousands of different shades and it is really hard to know which one will be right for you. A little square of colour won't tell you what your entire living room will look like, trust me…
The colour will depend a lot on the room and the amount of light it gets. Follow my 4 step process to make sure you get it right:
- Get in touch with the brand and ask if they can send you A4 colour samples Get the colour you like and a couple of shades darker and lighter. I usually get between 8 and 10.
- Pin your favourite ones them to the wall and leave them for a few days.
- Once you have narrowed down the options to 2 or 3 colours, buy the sample pots. They are usually under $10 bucks, and it's absolutely worth doing!
- Finally, paint your wall with the colours next to each other and leave them there for like a week. Look at them every day, it can take time to figure it out and you might change your mind a couple of times. Once you choose the same one three or four days in a row, it means you have found the one!
PIN ME & SAVE ME FOR LATER!
These are the essential top 3 things you need to consider when picking a paint colour. Now it is time to get creative! What colour are you going to go for? If you need inspiration, check out the 2020 Dulux Forecast article. I take you through all the colour palettes and how they can transform your home.
Lastly, please make sure you ask questions about paint type, sheen levels etc. to the paint expert at the shop. These can slightly vary depending on the brand and country you live in.
Never miss out on great advice! Join the tribe to receive weekly tips and trick on how to design for a better life!