8 Expert Tips for Choosing the Best Interior Paint Colour Scheme
Are you looking to spruce up your interior decor?
Experts predict an increase of $24.7 billion in the global interior design industry by 2025. It’s clear that no matter where we live, our homes are our pride and joy.
They are our most important assets and we want them to look their best. But if you’re not an interior designer it can be hard to know what colours to choose.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for these eight expert tips to help you pick the perfect interior paint colour scheme.
1. Get Inspired
When it comes to how to choose an interior paint colour scheme, there is no shame in looking for ideas. Catalogues and magazines have been a staple of decorating inspiration for years.
Check out paint manufacturer sites as well, as they can show you how to use their paints in your home. You also have access to thousands of inspirational images via sites like Pinterest.
You can look for a whole host of styles and paint colours, all updated in real-time. On Pinterest, you can also make an inspiration board, where you can keep all your favourite ideas.
2. Make Use of Colour Theory to Create Paint Colour Schemes
You don’t need a degree in colour theory to learn how it helps with interior paint colours. A colour wheel is an inexpensive tool that will give you paint colour schemes fast.
As you turn it, you’ll see how the different colours relate to each other. It’s a great way to play around and start learning the colour theory basics.
A colour wheel is an idea tool though, so don’t expect to find those exact shades. Once you get to the paint shop though, you’ll be able to find shades that will be close to them.
3. Learn to Be Creative With Neutrals
Neutral paint colours don’t have to be bland. In fact, if they are, you may be using them wrong. The best way to add interest to your neutral colour palette is to think about how you use the colours.
For example, you can add a striped wall using two of your neutral colours. This will add a point of stylish interest, but the room will still have a relaxed, calm look to it.
4. Use a Fabric Print to Guide Your Colour Scheme
Another great tip for getting the best interior paint colour scheme is to use fabric print. It’s an easy way to tie a room together, while also giving you a clear colour scheme to work with.
Look at items like:
- Bedding
- Curtains
- Throws
- Pillows
- Feature wallpaper
You’re looking for the colours that it contains. The main colour often should be neutral, with the little details adding pops of colour.
If you want to create a feature wall or contrast a feature wallpaper, look for the boldest colour. Take a swatch of the fabric with you to the paint store so you can match it as best you can.
5. Or Use Artwork to Find Your Colour
Another secret from interior designers is using artwork to guide your colour choices. Most artists will create a colour scheme for their work, learning to be a master of light and colour.
Using their natural insight, you can use it to guide your own colour scheme ideas. Much like the above tip, look for the calmer, more relaxing tones for your main colour. Use brighter, bolder colours if you want to make a statement or add some more personality.
6. Look Out For Undertones
If you’re not careful, you could be in for a nasty surprise from the undertones of paint colours. In their most basic sense, undertones are colours that lurk beneath each colour.
For example, a simple, soft beige might not be simple at all if there are green undertones to it. The only way to get an accurate sense of what undertones you need to account for is to sample the colour.
Other surfaces in your home can change the way the paint colour will look on your walls. Anything reflective poses a particular challenge in this regard.
7. Sample and Colour Swatch Your Colours First
This is a simple tip that you shouldn’t ever skip. If you’re considering a colour, always sample it in the room you want it for.
This painting project will cost you money and time, so you must get the colour right. Especially if you’re hiring professional painters for a perfect finish.
If you go to the back of any paint store, you’ll often still piles of returned cans. This is because people didn’t sample first and committed. But once it was on the walls, it didn’t work for their taste.
Don’t do the same as them! You can get tester pots to take home and paint a square of colour on the walls you want to paint. Do two coats and let it dry.
Then, look at it at different times of day, with and without artificial lighting, to check the hue is right. If it’s the right colour, great! You can grab those tins of paint. If it’s not, you know before spending a lot of effort and money and can choose another colour to sample.
8. Before You Shop Do Your Research
As we’ve said, getting inspiration and having an idea of what you want will help you with your choices. It’s a good idea to make a mood board for the room, using paint shaders, fabric swatches and images of furniture.
This will give you an idea of how you want the room to look and will stop you from getting overwhelmed at the store. There will be a lot of colours to choose from, so limiting the colour options beforehand will be useful.
It’ll help keep you focused. A lot of people struggle to pick a paint colour because they have too many options. With your options narrowed, you know what you’re looking for.
Choosing An Interior Paint Colour Scheme: An Creative Journey
So, there you have it! These eight tips for choosing an interior paint colour scheme puts you on the way to the right look for your home.
Being prepared and doing your research is key. It’s ok to look at what other people have done to get the creative juices flowing. But you don’t want to flat out copy someone else’s scheme, this is your home remember. It’s your chance to put a little of your personality into your design.
If you’re looking for the best painting results, contact us today. At Florance Property Solutions, we’ve got the experience and skill to meet all your painting needs.
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