Choosing Interior Paint Colors

The most important thing about choosing interior paint colors is finding ones that create a desired mood, are pleasing to the eye, and are complimentary to other items in the room.

Choosing interior paint colors can be difficult because there are so many factors to consider. Think long and hard about the mood you want to create, what colors work best with your furnishings and fabrics, and what colors you and your family like best. Try to familiarize yourself with the basics of color design to make the task a little easier.

Paint is available in an endless array of colors so take your time choosing. Go to paint and hardware stores and collect chips. The full strips display several shades within the same color family. Even if you don't want to use a darker color, examine the entire strip carefully. There's important information about the underlying tones, and looking at the entire family can help you decide if you're headed in the right direction.

Take home as many chips as you want and don’t just hold them up to the wall. Hold them up to your furniture, rug, accessories, and anything else you’ve got in the room. See if the colors compliment each other. Look at the chips under different light and see how they look.

If you're really having trouble deciding on a paint color, try to pull one of the colors out of an already existing piece in the room (such as a piece of art, or a patterned fabric). Bring samples of your fabrics when you’re out hunting for paint. If you really feel lost and can't decide, or if you already have a lot of color in the room, consider a neutral paint color. Neutrals are more accepting of other colors, so they are likely to work with whatever is already in the room.

Most paint stores offer custom color mixing. If you want an exact match, or a unique color that you can't find, speak to an expert at your local store. You can bring in a fabric swatch, piece of art, clothing, packaging, or any other color reference, and they will likely be able to create a matching paint color.

It's important to choose an appropriate finish. There are a few different options and they each have pros and cons.

• Flat finishes are suitable for damaged walls. They have a matte appearance and don't reflect light so imperfections aren’t as noticeable. They do not wash easily, so if walls are likely to be scuffed, a flat finish might not be the best choice.
• Eggshells and satins are popular because they have a slight shine and reflect a bit of light; but they are also washable.
• Semi-gloss and glossy finishes reflect the most light and are very shiny. They are typically used for window and door trims.

Many paint stores sell small sample pots at low prices. Once you've narrowed down your choices, purchase a few sample pots and test them out in the room. Paint a large square on the wall (a small test strip is not enough) and see how it looks in the room. Leave it for at least a day and watch as the sun moves across the sky. Light is different at different times of the day so what you like in the morning you might not like in the late afternoon.

Consider how the color looks with the floors, other wall coverings, fabrics, and accessories. If it doesn't look right, try another color. If you're testing more than one (which you should) keep them all on the wall so you can compare.

Generally, light colors are preferred for the ceiling. It creates a lifting effect and makes the room feel more spacious. This doesn't mean that it has to be white. If you want the ceiling color to match the walls, purchase a paint that is a shade or two lighter than the walls, or dilute the wall color with white. A ratio of 30 percent color to 70 percent white is a good bet. If you're still not sure, ask the experts at the store for advice.

Many paint companies offer huge selections of colors and finishes. Most are available at chain stores like the Home Depot and Lowe's, and the others have store locators on their websites. Some of the more popular ones are:

• CIL
• Benjamin Moore
• Pratt and Lambert
• Behr
• Sico
• Ralph Lauren
• Farrow and Ball

The great thing about paint is that it is usually inexpensive and easy to change, so don't be afraid to experiment. If you decide that you don't like the color you've chosen, or you tire of it sooner than expected, you can always change it.

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