Q: There are so many options out there. How do I choose the right colors for my home?
- Start with paper color sample swatches. You can pick them up at any Home Depot or similar. Consider color families, as they will have many shades and grades of the same color. Match them up with your existing fabrics and color schemes.
- Once you have narrowed down your choices, purchase paint samples. Paint the walls of each room (min 1 sq. foot). Test at least two colors to have a comparison. Leave for a few days and revisit during different times of the day to see it in various types of natural lighting. It changes dramatically! Also you will see a difference with your lights being on or off.
- Purchase your paint. I prefer Latex instead of oil. Latex paint is water-based and dries quickly and evenly. I recommend non-toxic zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint. Try to get as organic as you can.
Q: What is a good neutral that is not white?
- If you are conservative, then you can consider different shades of beige or grey. The tones change dramatically from brand to brand. It is always good to explore different brands and compare. Personally, I like tope walls with trims in white. It looks timeless and elegant.
- If you are more daring, go for a shade of blue! Blue matches just about anything and again you have a tremendous selection of shades and tones.
- I would stick to white (in any tone) for ceilings in most instances. It gives a feeling of more height.
Q: How do I make a space look bigger?
- Paint entire room in any shade of white. It opens up the space and reflects more light. You will never go wrong, especially in closets and narrow hallways.
- Paint everything using the same color, in this case including the ceiling. Select light colors like whites, beiges, greys or pastels. This works great for a small kitchen or bedroom. It blends the lines in the room making it feel more spacious. For small contrast, you can go one shade darker of the same color on the trim or one shade lighter on the ceiling.
- You can always play with fun colors for the half bath, such as a sea foam green or a pale blue.
