How do I choose a paint color?
One common challenge our clients frequently encounter is selecting the appropriate color for their painting projects. They often have a vision of how they want their space to appear but feel overwhelmed by the complex process of identifying the color that will bring that vision to fruition.
Why is selecting a color so challenging? Why does the shade of gray that seemed perfect now appear blue in your bedroom? Several factors contribute to this complexity. Not only can the vast array of options be overwhelming, but the chosen color may also look different on the wall than it did on the sample. Additionally, the psychological response we have to color compounds this difficulty, making it challenging to commit to a single choice. Understanding how light affects color, paint undertones, and our psychological reactions to color is essential.
The type of light, direction of light, and time of day all impact color perception. The orientation of your windows influences the amount of natural light entering a room, and the sun’s position changes the warmth and intensity of light throughout the day. Furthermore, the type of light bulbs you use alters the warmth of the color. This variability explains why the same paint color can appear differently depending on angles, corners, or across multiple rooms.
Apart from primary colors, every other color is a combination of various hues. The dominant color of paint is referred to as the overtone, while the undertone refers to the underlying hue that is not immediately visible. Undertones can make a color appear lighter, darker, more intense, or less intense. This is why some whites appear pink or blue under certain lights, and why that gray might now look blue.
Are there specific colors you are particularly drawn to? Color serves as a form of communication, eliciting psychological reactions. It sets the mood for your home and reflects your style. Color can make a room feel cozy, cheerful, calm, comfortable, or energized, and can also affect perceptions of space, making a room seem larger or smaller.
Feeling overwhelmed? Fresh Start is here to assist you every step of the way. We offer a preliminary color consultation with our free estimates. As we approach your painting day, we will continue to consult with you, refining your preferences using our professional color toolkit, samples, and inspiration boards until we find “the one.” Our goal is for you to feel comfortable and confident with your choice before we even pick up a paintbrush. We understand that choosing a paint color is a significant commitment, as it sets the backdrop for all your home décor decisions
