Foolproof guidelines to pick interior paint colours

You already know choosing interior paint colours is an important step when decorating your house. The hue you select for adorning the walls influences the entire interior design project. Your walls work like a canvas you paint on because it influences the other aesthetic choices. However, it’s one of the most difficult choices you’ll make when decorating your house because there are many options you can pick from. You may feel it’s impossible to figure out what shade is perfect for your house interior. We’ll help you put this problem to rest because we put together some foolproof guidelines that will help you select the right interior paint colour.

Stay away from these misconceptions when you’re choosing colours

The most entertaining part when painting interior walls is choosing the colours. Before opening the Pantone website to find the perfect colour, you should get rid of all the misconceptions you have about certain hues. Everyone carries with them misconceptions about certain shades, and you need to overturn them before they narrow your choices.

• One misconception many people have is that dark hues in small rooms make them look smaller. Some colours make spaces look smaller, but sometimes this isn’t a bad thing. When you want to create an intimate or cosy atmosphere, you can use a dark hue on walls to achieve this.
• Another common misconception is that if you colour the ceiling it seems too low. Don’t paint it white only because you’re afraid you’ll get this effect. Interior designers state that by using the same hue on all walls you can create a sense of depth, and you can give the illusion your ceiling is higher.
• People allow colour trends to control their choices. Your moods and feelings should define the hues you select for interior walls. Your house should reflect your personality and lifestyle.

Where to look for inspiration

If you have no idea how to decorate your house, you should open some magazines and catalogues because they’ve always been the staple in interior design. Now, with Pinterest at hand, you can browse for ideas on your smartphone because this platform facilitates access to millions of boards. Sometimes retailer websites like Ikea and Jysk can also be inspiring with their room vignettes.

Colour trends change every year. If a cheerful hue like Living Coral was the colour Pantone set for 2019, for 2020 they decided to choose something cooler and darker so they brought back Classic Blue. But you cannot change the colour of the walls every year, so you need to stick with one that represents your style identity. So where can you find inspiration if the colour of the year isn’t a smart choice? You can find inspiration everywhere, from your favourite dress to your dearest book and your best-loved vacation spot.

You need to decide what mood you want to set for each room. For example, for a room with an outdoor terrace, you may want to inspire from nature, so you can use blue or green. For the bedroom which is a private space where you want to feel intimate, you can go with deep hues like Classic blue, grey, brown or deep plum. For your children’s room choose something playful like Living Coral.

Before choosing the colours for interior walls take into account the furniture you want to place in each room. Is it neutral or does it come in bold colours? Fixed elements always influence your choice of colours for the walls.

Work with the neighbouring spaces

We all have been in a house where the paint choices were more than overwhelming. As you opened doors, you felt like you are in a spot where your eyes cannot rest and the home looked quite busy.

The colours you use for interior walls should mix and match flawlessly because you want to create a perfectly balanced space. Decide what feeling you want people to get when they enter the house, and according to that particular emotion choose a hue. You can give each room a distinct style and create a balanced colour scheme.

The colour of the walls is the unifying element in interior design. Don’t choose a particular shade before considering the look of the neighbouring spaces. The shades need to work in harmony to create a comfortable atmosphere.

Use low or zero VOC paints

Eco-friendly paint is more than a trend. Low or zero VOC paint helps you maintain the air pure indoors. Paints, cleaning products, and stains contain volatile organic compounds, which can be highly damaging to your health. When the paint on the walls cures, it releases airborne solvents that can damage the quality of the air you breathe.

As a student, you thought chemistry classes are of no help if you don’t work in the industry. The fact is that chemistry classes are invaluable when selecting paints and stains. Your chemical knowledge can help you create a safe indoor environment. Check the chemical compounds the paint you want to purchase contains, to ensure they are eco-friendly and non-harmful for your health. Eco-friendly paints are a great choice because they help you limit your exposure to VOCs.

You’ve probably experienced the fumes of a freshly painted house and their negative effects on your wellbeing. You don’t have to be allergic to paint fumes to get skin rash or breathing problems. Eco-friendly paint includes fewer solvents and harmful chemicals so there are fewer chances to experience the above problems.

Decide what finish you prefer

Once you pick the colour for the walls, decide how you want the finished product to look. You can select from:

• The high-gloss finish makes rooms shiny and polished. It’s perfect for kitchens, nurseries and bathrooms because it’s stain-resistant.
• The semi-gloss finish gives the space a subtle shine and it’s easy to clean.
• The satin finish is a popular choice because it combines harmoniously with any other finish.
• The egg-shell finish is decorative and it’s a good choice for dining and living rooms.
• The flat finish is modern and sophisticated, but difficult to clean so use it in the bedroom and low-traffic areas.

The above guidelines should help you pick the right interior paint for your house. Feel free to experiment with colours.