.jpg;w=960)
While painting is often touted as a relatively inexpensive way to update your space, there are some caveats.
It’s all too easy to make seemingly little mistakes when you’re painting, but these errors can cost you. The last thing any homeowner wants is to introduce the wrong colour or the wrong look.
We spoke to Rhonda at Heritage Home Hardware in Sault Ste. Marie, who shared her suggestions for avoiding mistakes that could cause you time and money. Her recommendations follow:
1. Sample paint colours before you commit
You think you’ve finally decided on the right colour for your living room, but then you find yourself standing in front of a display in the paint section of the store, paralyzed. What happened? There are often so many more shades—and choices—available than we realized and second-guessing yourself at the last minute is not uncommon.
Instead of worrying that you have picked the wrong colour, or that the one you’ve chosen will be too light or too dark in the space, why not take the extra step of sampling before you commit?
See what the colour looks like on your wall or on a large sample board. Beauti-Tone paint has a 455 mL sample size that you can tint, so it’s easy to do. Rhonda recommends always leaving a white edge around your sample board so that the new colour will not fight with the current colour that is already on the wall.
It’s an extra step, yes, but the cost is minimal, and it can save you from making a choice you later regret.
2. Have a well-thought-out plan in place
Gone are the days when we used to paint every room in our homes a completely different colour. While it can be nice for each room to have a different look, nowadays the trend is towards cohesiveness—rooms that flow into each other seamlessly and feel part of the larger whole.
This is particularly important if you have an open floor plan. It can help to walk around your home and consider the sightlines from various locations; for example, what do you see when you’re sitting, standing and walking?
Take into account the décor that you have in each space too: the paint colours, art, accessories, window coverings and flooring. The goal is to ensure that these all work well together.
If you don’t have the money or the time to paint every room in your house at once, you’ll still want to have a long-term plan. This way you can execute each change as time and circumstances allows, but you’ll always be working towards that overall vision.
3. Visualize the change
We’re lucky to have several great tools at our disposal. One way to confirm that you’ve chosen the right colours is to use Heritage Home Hardware’s colour visualizer tool.
You can also download the Beauti-Tone Colour Visualizer app for your iPad. Upload photos of your space so you can see how specific paint colours will look there. You can also pick up some colour cards and brochures in store; these can help you choose specific colour combinations and create colour schemes with confidence.
4. Seek professional help
In-store colour experts are happy to help at any time, so you never have to worry about making these colour decisions on your own. If you’re unsure of your choices, they can validate the selections you’ve already made or make suggestions they feel would work well in the space.
HELPFUL TIPS
Tip #1 – To emphasize, use contrasting colours
If your space has moldings, arches, ceiling medallions, wainscotting or other beautiful architectural features, you can highlight them by using a contrasting paint colour.
The reverse holds true as well; if you’d rather minimize the look of any of these or have them blend in, painting them the same colour as the walls will make them recede and disappear into the background.
Tip #2 – Don’t neglect the insides
All too often we miss a great design opportunity. For added impact, think about the interior spaces throughout your home that could benefit from a surprise pop of colour: inside your closets, cabinets and drawers, for example.
It will freshen these spaces and give your spirits a lift every time you see these pretty jewel-box-like interiors.
Tip #3 – Take an artistic approach
Why not make a statement with your walls?
Try colour blocking to create a beautiful, custom feature wall inexpensively. You can use your favourite colours, tie your furniture and accessories together, and put your paint to work for you. Your room is sure to stand out from the rest and be a talking point when guests are over.
Tip #4 – Don’t forget the fifth wall
Who says ceilings have to be white? You can tint paint to use for the ceiling, as well as any trim work.
Some like a harmonious colour scheme that wraps all of the walls and the ceiling in the same hue, while others like to choose a completely different shade.
Tip #5 – Harness the power of colour
Colour can create an optical illusion. It can make a long, narrow room or hallway appear wider; simply paint the shorter walls a darker colour.
If a room feels too small and cramped, choose a cool, light colour to paint the walls and the space will instantly feel bigger. It will seem as though you have more room than you did before.
To create atmosphere—especially if a cozy and intimate space is what you’re after—use warm, dark colours. This is also a great idea for a TV room or home theatre space, or if you want a dramatic home office or library.
If you don’t quite have the ceiling height you’d hoped for, you can make the walls seem taller by keeping the ceiling painted lighter than the walls. This works especially well in basements.
Tip #6 – Avoid disappointment with colour selection
To help you avoid disappointment when selecting a colour, try isolating it on a white background for a truer perception. Also, remember that whatever colour you choose will look more intense on the wall than it does on the paint chip. If you’re at all unsure about your choice, simply go one shade lighter. And try to cap your list of choices to three overall: any more than that and it will be too confusing to the eye.
Finally, Rhonda recommends choosing your colour by looking at it closely at the time of day the room is used most. That will give you the truest indication of what you can expect.
For more suggestions on how to make a splash with paint, visit Heritage Home Hardware or call 705-759-5101.