How do you choose interior paint colors and what level sheen to use?

Susan
by Susan
  9 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jul 13, 2017

    when choosing your color scheme it is best to base it on the natural lighting in your home.Select colors and bring home the swatches. Attached to the wall and look at it at all hours of the day. Remember certain colors will play to green ,gray,yellow etc. Once you select your choices buy samples and test them. As for the sheen that is trulys ones own taste.

  • Ruthan Grider Ruthan Grider on Jul 13, 2017

    I choose the colors to coordinate with my room decor and I always use a Behr semi gloss paint. Never use flat you always want to be able to wipe dirt marks off

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jul 13, 2017

    remember what ones opinion on finishes is there preference....choose what you like

  • Bobbie Bobbie on Jul 13, 2017

    I head for the paint department and take home lots of samples color chips. Once I get them home they may not look as good as they did in the store because of different lighting. I use satin on all my walls except kitchen and bathroom I use semi-gloss.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Jul 13, 2017

    Although you can choose a color scheme or match your room, you can go neutral as well. I do it this way if I see a color and I love it I go with it. I have learned over the many years that if you purchase neutral furniture of good quality then it lasts. It can be cleaned. Then changing color of paint can happen as your taste changes you just repaint. So invest money in big ticket items when possible.

    I used to play it safe but it just wasn't me,now my house is beginning to feel like my home. I smile when I see my self expressed in my home. I wasted to many years conforming.

    If you do choose a color scheme make it 2 colors and 1 neutral and a 3rd color for accent can be chosen but I don't recommend that route. So this makes rooms flow. I prefer accents to be collections of things you love or a large painting from anywhere, I suggest tjmaxx. Because inexpensive and you can part with it when you have a different look you're going for.

    As for paint flat paint feels chalky and can't be scrubbed.

    Egg shell or satin low sheen, maybe helpful if you get a lot of light in rooms because it won't be blinding.

    High gloss is just that,Shiney. Good for trim work , bathrooms and kitchens.

    You would probably use your neutral in a glossy finish.

    You can trick the eye by using same color in different finishes. I had that done with white on my baton board. Same color of white but high gloss on wood and satin on walls. So the walls recede and the wood pops. I love it and it looks like 2 different colors were used. So it's all very personal, it's your style your taste and not much of a commitment. I also have a favorite paint store. Just my personal preference. I don't like one brand that has won awards. I don't like the coverage and I don't care how little or much it may cost. Over the years I have come to learn what works best for me. I can say that it's not cheap but it has been the one I feel has best coverage and holds pigment and you can get multiple cans and it's consistent. I also think that going into your closet and seeing what color you buy most of your clothes in can give you a starting point. You wouldn't buy it unless you felt good in it and you love it. So maybe not exact match but a good place to start if you really have no inspirational item. Otherwise if you have a collection of something that you love that can help you as well. You can't go wrong with that you love. Remember you pay the mortgage so do this for you who is their 24/7.

  • 13526476 13526476 on Jul 13, 2017

    The following is a fantastic website to guide one in choosing paint sheen:

    https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/painting-lighting/paint-sheen-guide/

  • Sunny C Sunny C on Jul 13, 2017

    Hello Susan; Please think about what colors you Love, and what truly does make you Happy!!!!

    Please go to several stores, and get a wide variety of paint chips, in colors that you really like.

    Think about what you like. Do you like shiny or dull. You will live with these colors, so choose from your Heart!!!

    Decide what color/colors that you want, and get the paints.

    If you need help, Please ask while at the stores.

    I hope that you enjoy remodeling!!! Take Care!

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jul 13, 2017

    you will need to make your own decisions,as asking advice fro others or paint stores will not fulfill your desires.

  • Dfm Dfm on Jul 14, 2017

    when you think you have the color you like...start with putting the color an a large piece of foam cor poster board. Move it around the room you are thinking of painting. Does the color still look good in all times of the day or does it look off? If it's off...try another color.