How to Choose a Paint Color in 5 Steps

Refreshing your home with a new paint color is always fun after the job is done, but the process can sometimes be mildly overwhelming. Choosing a color is just one of the aspects of painting preparation, but it is also one of the most important. With countless shades of all the many colors, the task of selecting a color, in itself, can seem daunting. But if you take the right approach to the job, it can be very enjoyable.

Here are some things you, and tools you can use to make the job easier:

1. Talk to a color consultant.

• Since color consultants are experts at judging which color works best for certain types of rooms, they can help you make the best color choice as well as help you save a lot of time and stress. Call Chism Brothers to talk to our excellent color consultant, Becky.

• There are numerous nifty tools that can help you envision what your home will look like in a certain color. Use our Color It Chism tool or Benjamin Moore’s Personal Color Viewer®, where you can upload a photo of your home and see what it would look like painted in different colors.

3. Use swatches and color samples.

• Most paint companies offer small samples of colors so you can test a color in your home. If you are pretty certain of the color you want to use and are just looking for the extra assurance in a color, this is a good method to use. However, if you are still choosing which colors you like, this can be a misleading method since painting a portion of a wall can look entirely different than when a whole room is painted in the same color.

In addition to the previous tools, follow these next steps to ensure you choose a great color scheme for your home.

• Take your time. As the saying goes, “haste makes waste.” If you rush in the color-selection process, you may end up regreting your choice. Think things through so that you can be sure you've picked a color that you like, and that works well for the room.
• Think about the room. Think about how the size, the lighting and the arrangement of the room will affect the way the color looks in the room. Also, make sure you take into consideration the furniture you have in the room and how it will match your color scheme.
• Be bold. Classic colors are always in style, but it never hurts to try something new and unique. Think about different ways you can go beyond "normal trends" and use paint to create a room thats delightful and intriguing.
• Remember the 60-30-10 rule. Balance the room using the 60-30-10 principle. Divide your color choices into percentages of 60 percent dominant color, 30 percent secondary color and 10 percent decoration or accent color. This method always creates a pleasing and aesthetically appealing color scheme.
• Get a second opinion. Whether or not you feel hesitant about a color, ask someone whose opinion you trust to back up your color selection.

Keep these things in mind when you are deciding on a color, and you will end up with a beautiful and pleasing color scheme!

If you live in San Diego or La Jolla and are looking for a painting contractor, give Chism Brothers a call at 858-454-3850. Our goal is to provide professional and excellent service to each of our customers.