The Top 4 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Paint Color

Sometimes, the best home renovations don’t require knocking down walls, adding rooms, or even calling contractors. Sometimes, all you need to do to give your home a fresh new look is a paint brush! Of course, your finished product will only be as good as the paint color you pick! So, how do you choose the perfect paint color?

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1. Decide if you want to be trendy or classic

Some paint colors are built for the long haul, while others are perfect for a year or two – but will only be in style for so long. So, before you grab your paint roller, you’ve got to decide what kind of image you want to portray. For example, if you’ve decided on a green living room, there are about a million green shades to choose from. You can count on a dark sage or light seafoam to stand the test of time. But if you want to be really trendy, opt for a brighter apple green color. However, you’ll have to decide if being trendy is worth painting again in a year or two. For example, that apple green paint may look awesome right now, but it may be completely out of style in a couple of years. If you don’t want to have to don your painter’s overalls again for awhile, you probably want to go with a more classic look.

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2. Don’t base your decision solely on paint sample cards

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the little paint sample cards at your local home improvement store. In fact, some homeowners walk around for weeks, pulling out those cards and asking everyone they know for an opinion. Don’t be one of those people. Not only will you drive everyone you know nuts, but you’ll drive yourself nuts in the process, too! Instead, base your paint decision on things you like that have nothing to do with paint. For example, maybe you love the color of the sky as the sunsets over your home. Or, maybe you love the color of your rose bush every spring. Whatever it is, take a picture of it and use THAT to pick out the perfect shade. That way, you’re much more likely to end up with a finished product that you truly love.

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3. Don’t go too bold

Ask the best interior decorators, and they’ll tell you that your paint color should complement the rest of your room – not steal the spotlight. So, when in doubt, opt for a shade that’s a little more understated. You can always go bolder with your window treatments, throw pillows, and art on the wall. If people walk into your room and notice the color of your paint right off the bat, you’re taking away from all of the awesome accessories in your room. That’s not the right way to decorate.

4. Ask about LRV

A good home improvement store will be able to answer any questions you have about a paint’s LRV (or Light Reflectance Value). The higher the LRV, the better natural light will be able to bounce off your walls – which can make your room look airy and more spacious. One final tip – even after you think you’ve found a great paint color, be sure to test it in the actual room it’s going to go in. Paint a small section in the lightest and darkest sections of the room. That way, you’ll know exactly how it’s going to look when you’re all finished.