5 SIMPLE TIPS FOR PICKING THE PERFECT PAINT COLOR

Thistlewood
by Thistlewood
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Looking for simple easy tips on how to pick a perfect paint color for a room? This is the post for you. Here are five of my best paint-picking tips.

I HAVE WANTED TO WRITE A POST ABOUT HOW TO PICK A PERFECT PAINT COLOR FOR FOREVER.


Truly.


And I have been remiss.


So in a vain attempt to make up for the complete and utter lack of paint color discussion, I thought I would provide completely unsolicited advice on the ins and outs of choosing a paint color. You know I couldn’t just write a post about paint colors, I have to offer up a big opinion. However—I preface any and all big opinions offered here with the disclaimer that I am not an expert.


Not even close.


I don’t work for a paint company.


I have not gone to paint color school.


What I am though—-is so much better. I am the person who has painted and repainted and repainted rooms because I couldn’t figure out the answer to this simple question,  “Why did the paint color in the store not look like the paint color on my wall?”


If you are a paint color expert this post is not for you. 


If you have ever stood in front of a paint chip display and closed your eyes and pointed….


Here are my best five tips for picking the perfect paint color.



5 HINTS FOR CHOOSING A PAINT COLOR

TIP 1: THE DARKEST COLOR ON THE PAINT STRIP IS YOUR BEST FRIEND


When you are looking at colors on two (or three different) strips of paint chips, many times the colors will appear to be the same.  THEY ARE NOT!  Do not be fooled. Each strip of paint color chips is tinted in a slightly different direction.


For example, a khaki could have a pink base or a blue base.


A gold can have a green base or a brown base. A red could have an orange base or a pink base. (I think you get the point).

To see the true color tint, look at the darkest color on the strip.


This color has the most color saturation and you can see the true base color much more easily.


This will help you pick the perfect paint color.


Just remember, the bottom of the paint strip is your best friend.

TIP 2: ALL SURFACES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL


  • Fact painting a ceiling any other color than white go at least one shade lighter.


Color on a ceiling appears darker than on the wall.


  • Fact choosing a color for the floor…..always go one or two shades lighter.


The color on the floor appears darker than on the wall.


  • Fact looking at a paint chip in the store….hold it next to something white to see the true color.


Holding it next to anything else can throw off the tones in the paint.

TIP 3: SATURATION IS THE KEY


If you remember nothing else from this post about how to pick the perfect paint color.


If in two months you say, “thistlewood who?”


Please, please remember this unsolicited advice when you are standing in front of that paint display:


Find the color you want and then go one shade darker.


I know. 


It’s scary.


It’s only natural……we have a tendency to go lighter with our paint choices. The only problem is, natural light and “stuff” tend to wash out our first color choice.


Trust me on this one. You will be much happier with a little more saturation.

TIP 4: YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH PAINT


You have seen them in the paint store mixing paint. They take the tinted base and then add different colors. Here’s the secret: no can of paint is exactly the same.


They are close. Maybe you won’t see a difference. Maybe you will.


Don’t take the chance.


Buy a five gallon bucket and mix your cans together before you paint.


Learn from a person with a two-tone painted room.

TIP 5: SAMPLE, SAMPLE, SAMPLE


They sell $5.95 quart paint samples at Sherwin Williams.


I suggest you do not let $5.95 come between you and the perfect wall color.


A painted swatch on the wall beats a paint chip color hands down every time.


Here’s a quick video I filmed about picking the perfect paint color over on my  YouTube channel.

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