Interior Painting to Improve Your Home’s Look

Choosing a Theme

One of the most economical ways to upgrade the look of your home is by painting it. But first you need to consider certain factors before you embark on a painting project. Because paint can be used to either accent an area or cover specific flaws, you need to think about the decorating theme, the furnishings you want to include, and how you want the room to ultimately look.

Suggested Color Choices for Specific Themes

For example, perhaps you want to paint a room so it depicts an Asian decor. Therefore, you’ll need to focus on such colors as jade, tan, gold, deep red, or ivory. A good accent color is black. Or, maybe you want to give a room a South-of-the-Border look. Then, soft oranges, reds, or yellows are good choices for a room with a Mexican influence.

Other Color Recommendations 

Contemporary settings look good with neutral tones, such as beige or ivory, while earthy-looking abodes are enhanced by such colors as yellow, green, brown, or terra cotta. Colors can be customized to reflect your personal preferences if you plan to reside in your home for several years.

Choose Neutral Paint Hues if You’re Selling Your Property

However, if you’re thinking of selling your home, then make the choice for more neutral hues. Potential buyers want to choose their own colors. So, if you stick to tan, white, or beige, you’ll not only increase the value of your property but the chance that it will sell relatively quickly as well.

Coordinating the Paint Colors with the Fabrics of Your Drapes and Furnishings

When selecting an interior paint, coordination is important. El Gato Painting recommends that you integrate the paint color with the colors of the fabrics, carpeting, and flooring. That’s all part of coordinating the look. Try to choose paint colors then that are not readily seen in the prints of fabrics but are subtly visible. In other words, if the primary color in your upholstery material is tan, then don’t select a tan paint. Otherwise, your room will end up looking rather monotone and dull.

Before You Select a Paint, Think About the Lighting

In addition, you’ll need to think about the lighting that you’ll be using in your newly painted rooms as well. Because light does influence a paint’s color, you’ll need to consider how the tones in the paint will be affected by low lighting conditions, by natural sunlight, or by bright, artificial light. Low light can darken a color while too much of a glow can wash out a hue.

Use Lighter Paint Shades in Rooms that Receive Lots of Sunlight

Consider the absorption of UV light too. For example, if you paint a sun-filled room in a darker shade, then the room, in turn, can become quite hot. As darker colors are known to absorb light, you’ll no doubt use extra air conditioning trying to keep the room cool in the summer. Not only that, the darker color can fade over time as well. Instead, choose a light shade to keep the room’s temperature cool and maintain the paint’s color.

Don’t Use Cooler Shades in a Room that Primarily Uses Incandescent Lighting

If the room you are going to paint is lighted fluorescently, choose fluorescent lights that emit a pink cast -- if you’re painting in warmer tones. Typically, fluorescent bulbs supply a slight green glow, which can dull warmer paint shades. Also, don’t use incandescent lighting in a room painted in a cooler color, as the light can dull the tone of the paint.

Take a Color Sample and Place it in the Room You’re Planning to Paint

Lighting can serve to dull or accent paint colors. So, take a color test in the room that you’re planning to paint to make sure you pick the right color. Place a paint sample against the wall and see how it reflects the light that you’re planning to use in the space.