How To Choose A Paint Colour In 6 Simple Steps

When you wish to choose a paint colour for your home, it can be overwhelming. For this reason, our colour consultant team developed this six-step guide to help you select the perfect colour scheme for your interiors.

1. Select colour based on sun’s direction

The first step is determining what direction your room faces, the sunny north or the cooler south, or anything in between. By choosing a cooler hue, you can manipulate how warm a north-facing space feels that gets a lot of sunlight. Vice versa, a warm hue can create a cosy and comfortable atmosphere in a room that faces south.

2. What atmosphere do you want to create?

With the right colour scheme, you can achieve the look and atmosphere you desire for your interior decoration. To achieve a fresh coastal feel, consider blues and greens. But for a cosy and homely atmosphere, choose a neutral paint colour in the warm spectrum. And if you’re feeling adventurous, a bold and clashing colour scheme might be perfect for you.

3. Ceiling height impacts colour choice

Choose paint colours not only for your walls but also for the ceiling. For this, you want to measure the height from floor to ceiling. If it’s 2.7 meters or more, you can experiment with colour on your ceiling. A warm, dark hue can create a snug atmosphere, while a bright colour can add drama. If your room has a standard ceiling height of 2.4 meters, it doesn’t mean you have to stick to traditional white. Instead, a pastel or light grey hue can look stunning without visually weighing down the ceiling.

4. Choose a paint colour for your feature wall

A feature wall adds interest to a room that otherwise feels bland. To determine which wall to stand out, consider the one opposite the entry door. Having said that, opt for another wall if there is a window or large cabinetry in front. Paint the wall in a contrasting colour or a couple of tones darker than the rest of the room. Alternatively, get inspiration from nature, like the eucalypt green of the tree in front of your window or the sky’s deep blue. Or look around your room for a colour you like in your rug or cushions. Another great way to create drama and texture is by using wallpaper on a feature wall. Many beautiful designs are available, from subtle fabric textures to bold patterns, so don’t limit yourself to a solid colour.

5. Choose a paint colour for the remaining walls

Keep the other three walls fairly neutral once you’ve chosen your feature wall colour. Look for a similar undertone to your feature wall, such as a neutral hue with a slight purple undertone if your feature wall is purple.

6. Get samples before choosing your paint colour

Get samples from the hardware store before purchasing the wallpaper or paint colour. Alternatively, you can order A4 brush-outs from the paint manufacturers’ websites. Dulux, for instance, charges $2 per swatch to be mailed directly to you. Place the sheets against the wall, step back and compare the hues at various times of the day and with the lights switched on at night. This way, you can’t go wrong with your selection of hues.

While you’re looking to enhance your interior palette, why not take a moment to explore our tips on home decor that can help you furnish like a pro?

If you need help choosing paint colours or wallpaper for your interiors, please call Martina at 0434 498 450 or email martina@martinahayes.com.au.