Picking the Perfect Paint Color

1) Take your cue from the main pieces in the room. Echoing or complementing other items in the room, like an area rug or curtains, will help make sure all the elements work well together.

2) Look at how you use the room. Colors can make or break the room's atmosphere. Save stimulating tones, like red, for the dining room or office and go for more soothing colors in the bedroom.

3) Test it out. Hang color swatches on the wall and observe them at different times of the day, since the sun can make colors appear more intense.

4) Go bold-even in small rooms. Dark colors wont necessarily make the room seem tinier if you don't crowd the space with furniture. Avoid accent walls, which chop up rooms, and make them appear smaller than they are.

5) Paint the ceiling the same shade. This diminishes the visible line between the walls and ceiling. The ceiling will always appear a shade or two softer because the two surfaces are on different planes.

6) Blend architectural elements. Use earth tones around a redbrick fireplace, for example, to keep things cohesive.


All information taken from USA Weekend.