After trying numerous paint shades over the years, these tips simplify selecting the perfect hue, including the white that brightened our dim townhouse.
Truly, after residing in various homes for many years, I've learned that selecting the correct paint color is both thrilling and quite stressful!
When we moved into our current townhouse a decade ago, every wall was painted a medium tan. We soon discovered this made the entire space feel gloomy and somewhat dull. I am not averse to color—I've enjoyed diverse palettes in every residence I've occupied—but this house quickly showed me what it truly needed.
We experimented with what felt like countless choices, ultimately settling on Simply White from Benjamin Moore. It infused the house with brightness, cheerfulness, and comfort. Since this home receives limited natural light, Simply White achieved precisely what we required.
Now, a decade later, I'm painting again—not due to a color change, but simply because the walls needed refreshing. I am selecting Simply White once more. While it won't create dramatic before and after transformations, it shows how much I adore this color!
If you are currently struggling with a paint color choice, I fully grasp the tension. Paint expenses have increased, and the last thing anyone wants is to purchase an entire can of the wrong shade. Therefore, here are my top pieces of advice, compiled from years of painting many rooms in various homes.
1. Consult designers and reliable sources
Designers dedicate years to working with color daily; they know what succeeds and what fails. I enjoy exploring design profiles on Pinterest and Instagram, saving rooms that evoke the feeling I desire for my home. That feeling is your initial guide.
Observe which colors repeatedly appear in spaces you cherish. My discovery of Simply White came from years of noting how certain whites fostered warmth and coziness instead of appearing cold and sterile. Trust your perception—it knows more than you realize!
2. Always assess a color in your actual setting
This is the most vital counsel I can offer. A paint swatch at the store and that same color on your wall are vastly different experiences. Ambient light, room dimensions, your flooring, and your furniture all alter a color's appearance.
The best method involves acquiring a sample pot and applying it to a large white poster board. Then, move this board throughout the room at different times—morning, afternoon, and evening lamplight. You will see the true color before committing to a full container.
Do not skip this crucial step; I guarantee the minimal extra cost and one afternoon's effort are well worth it.
3. Stay Calm It Is Only Paint
I understand, I know—easier said than done! But what finally relieved my paint color worry was accepting that this is not a permanent commitment. If a wall looks wrong, you can simply repaint it. It is not a catastrophe.
Often, I need to see a complete wall finished before making a definitive choice. A small chip or even a poster board sample cannot replicate the reality. Give it a fair opportunity.
4. Complete the room before deciding
Before you pick up your roller and return to the store, wait until all your decorative items and soft furnishings are in place. I frequently second-guessed a paint color mid-project, only to adore it once throw pillows, curtains, and fresh flowers were back in the room.
The complete visual is what matters; do not judge the paint until you reintroduce at least some of your favorite belongings.
Color selection becomes simpler with practice
Picking paint colors gets progressively easier the more you do it. After years of painting rooms, I confidently advise—trust your intuition, test within your space, and be kind to yourself throughout the entire procedure.
Practical Advice for Choosing Paint Hues
Discover the origin of Simply White by viewing the complete record of our initial living room painting endeavor after moving in; find the complete before and after images here → Our First Townhouse DIY: Painting the Living Room
Before starting, consult my painting supplies checklist to ensure you possess all necessary items, alongside several helpful techniques gleaned from painting numerous rooms!
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