Eight questions you should ask yourself before you select paint colours

Your eyes may have wandered around your home recently, thinking that it is time for a fresh coat of paint on your walls. This is a good opportunity to rejuvenate your interiors. But how do you select paint colours to determine a new colour scheme?

But where to start?  Here are eight questions to ask yourself to make your painting project successful.

What direction does the room face?

With the right paint colour choice, you are able to adjust how warm or cold a space feels. For example, with a cooler hue you can take the edge of a north facing room that is baking in the sun light. But when you always reach for this thick cardigan in a room, you might select a warm colour to make the room feel warm and comfortable.

What atmosphere do you wish to achieve?

For a fresh, coastal ambiance you are likely to look for the blues and greens in the colour chart. But to achieve a cosy and homely feeling, neutral hues in the warm spectrum are ideal for you. Or you might be an eccentric character who thrives in a clashing colour scheme. Then have fun with mixing up your colours!

What is your ceiling height?

With a ceiling height of 2.7 metres or more, you can play with colour on your ceiling. A warm, dark hue gives your living area this snug atmosphere you always wanted. Whereas a bright colour has a dramatic effect on how the space is perceived. A standard ceiling height of 2.4 metres doesn’t mean you need to go for the traditional white, a pastel colour can also look stunning without weighing the ceiling down visually.

Thought of a feature wall?

If your room lacks interest, a feature wall might be the right choice for you. Check, if you have a wall that could work as the feature wall: It is ideally located opposite the entry door and has no window or large cabinetry. Paint the wall in a contrasting colour or just a couple of tones darker than the rest of the room.

Which colour to choose for a feature wall?

Get some inspiration from looking out of the window. What about the greyish green of a gum tree? Or the deep blue of the sky? Or the colour of the blooming plants in the backyard? Alternatively, look around in your room. Is there a colour in your rug or in your cushions you fancy? Then go for it!

Select paint colour for this particular space

Get yourself some matching swatches from the paint shop or handware store and order A4 brushouts online from the paint manufacturers’ websites (Dulux, Taubmans, etc). Place the sheets against the wall, step back and compare the hues at various times of the day and at night with the lights switched on. You will soon know what colour is the right one for you.

What about wallpaper in your interiors?

Don’t limit yourself to a solid colour for your feature wall while there are so many beautiful wallpapers out there. Subtle fabric wallpapers add extra texture to your space for this comfy atmosphere. And a bold pattern can transform your room from boring to absolutely stunning.

How to match the colour of the remaining walls?

Once you made your choice, keep the remaining three walls fairly neutral. Look for a similar undertone to your feature wall. For example: If you have chosen a purple, opt for a neutral with a slight purple undertone to create a harmonious look.

If you have questions on how to select paint colour or wallpaper for your space, please contact me.