Let's talk paint colors!
Picking paint colors is often times the root of a lot of angst in a household.
Because of the sheer amount of colors to choose from, it can seem completely overwhelming and way too easy to make a mistake.
However, with the right guidance, you won't make another mistake again. I have rounded up all my favorite color tips from around the web from my favorite color experts. Who doesn't love an all-in-one-place reference, amiright?!
Wait! I almost forgot... this is part of a series of helpful tips and tools to choosing color for your home. Make sure you check out the other pieces to this color post below...
- Part 1: Everything You Must Know About Color in your Home [Before Choosing Paint Colors]
- Part 2: How to Create a Whole Home Color Scheme
- (this post) Part 3: The Secrets to Choosing Home Colors & Paint Colors [From Around the Web]
On to the goodies for today...
8 Secrets for Choosing Home Paint Colors
Learn from the color experts how to pick the perfect paint color the first time.
Quick navigation
Have you heard of this LRV thing? It stands for light reflective value. Let's do a little demonstration.
Click the link to check out a popular color, Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. Take a look at the info box you probably never noticed. It describes the color as a light gray with warm undertones, but did you notice the LRV number in the top left corner of the info box?
After learning about LRV, I was shocked to see this number on all the paint companies descriptions. Some are harder to find than others, but they are there!
If you have a fan deck of paint colors, you can find the LRV number in the index or sometimes right on the paint chip. In Kylie's discussion on LRV for the perfect light and bright room, she recommends an LRV of 62.
She goes in to great detail on how to choose the paint color using LRV based on what aesthetic you are trying to achieve and how much light exists in the room. I found her post to be so enlightening and I think you will too!
Jackie at The School of Decorating is another one of my favorite color experts. In this post, she talks about how to take the whole home color scheme you made in part 2 and apply it to all the rooms in your home.
She has a very easy to follow style and teaches you how to focus on how to use color rather than continuing to introduce many new colors room by room.
If and when you are in the space to have to pick paint colors for cabinets, this post is the one for you.
She shares so many practical tips for choosing paint for kitchen cabinets, but also the exact steps you should take to narrow down your choices and pictures to show you what she's talking about.
Kylie is legit a color expert to the nines! You will definitely not be able to choose the wrong color with her descriptions.
Most of us have decided on painting majority of our walls a neutral. However, the sheer amount of neutral paint colors is literally insane.
The best part about this post is Corey breaks down the exact process you should use to narrow down your list of neutrals.
As long as you created your whole home color scheme map from my second post in this color series, you will have no problem following her steps to picking the perfece neutral.
You can also find the rest of Corey's color posts here.
Sherwin-Williams did an interview with a designer, Sue Wadden, about all the tips she would give for choosing the right color by analyzing undertones.
I found her tips to be straight forward and to the point. If you are still struggling with the undertone concept, this post will help she a little more light on the subject. These are very practical tips to add to the array of secrets to choosing paint color correctly the first time.
Speaking of practical, oh my gosh I'm certain you've made at least one of these 5 mistakes in the past. I know I have!
It's so interesting to me read through these mistakes and realize how silly they are! The good news is this post walks you through how to correct these all to common mistakes before you even get to choose the paint colors - a definite must-read.
Yes, yes, and yes... Did you know that picking an exterior paint color is a totally different beast than interior?
That good ole' sunshine really makes a difference. Kylie's 4 tips to choosing exterior paint are spot on. She even breaks down what to look for depending on the way your house faces.
She also spends some time talking about the sheen of the paint for the various types of application you may face. When the time comes to pick exterior paint colors, you must read this! And she's funny too!
If you need a jump off point for picking a neutral paint color, this article gives descriptions of when to use certain paint colors and links on where to get the paint color they talk about.
I find sometimes I just need to read some descriptions of paint before I go to the paint store to know how I would describe such a paint.
If you want to check out the paint colors I've used in my home, my home tour has all the deets on the exact paint colors you see below. Sneak peeks below...
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is your favorite go-to spot to buy paint?
The best place to buy paint, hands down, is Clare paint (affiliate link). I am completely obsessed with how true to description their colors are and how much confidence they give me in knowing I'm picking the right color.
I purchased all their swatches and took their color quiz (affiliate link) to help me narrow it down the first time. You do have to plan ahead because it ships direct to your door, but it is well worth it!
My second favorite is the Historical Color Collection from Benjamin Moore. I have yet to choose a color I didn't like and, third, would be Sherwin Williams because they are highly accessible when you need a great color, like, today.
What's your all time favorite 'whole home' neutral?
My whole home is Grant Beige by Benjamin Moore except for my kitchen, which is Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. I think these colors are very similar, but Grant Beige adds a little more warmth to the spaces.
However, I also love the Timeless by Clare Paint (affiliate link) color in my daughter's nursery. Don't make me choose! *lol*
Take Action! Your Next Steps...
“While others were dreaming about it - I was getting it done.”
― Nathan W. Morris
You got this! No more dreaming, take action so you can begin revelling in your accomplishments! And as you know, the teacher in me can't let you leave without giving you a bit of homework, right? Here's what to do next...
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