As house painters in San Diego, we get asked for paint color suggestions a lot. So often, in fact, that our company decided to offer color consulting as a service.
Choosing the right paint color is difficult—especially if all you have to go on is a small paint chip that you got from the home improvement store.
Dark and Bright Colors
In general, you should avoid painting an entire room a really dark or really bright color. Dark colors can make a room feel small and heavy. The walls will swallow up much of the natural or artificial light in the room, so it will always feel dark. Bright colors can also make a room feel small, and may inflict feelings of anxiety.
If you really want to bring in a dark or bright color, consider just doing an accent wall. An accent wall can give a room dimension and create some architectural interest in an otherwise boring space. At our San Diego house painting company, we’ve done some navy and black accent walls that came out amazing! When it comes to an accent wall, there’s really no color that’s off limits!
If you want to go with a bright color in a room, a good idea is to choose a neutral shade of tan, grey, or white that has hints of the color you are wanting. For example, if you want your child’s room to be yellow, choose a white that leans yellow. If you want a light blue, pick a grey with blue undertones. If you want pink for your baby girl’s room, look for a tan has some pink in it.
What About White?
Ten or fifteen years ago, just about everyone would have told you, “Don’t paint the interior of your home white! It looks sterile and boring.” They probably would have encouraged you to consider a nice neutral tan that would “go with everything.”
Today, white is a very popular choice for interior walls in San Diego. White can be tricky, though. You need to choose the right shade of white or it can, indeed, make your home feel sterile. If you’ve never looked for a white paint, just know that there are many, many different shades to choose from—it can be overwhelming! They range from cool whites, which can have blue or green undertones, to warm whites, which can lean yellow or tan.
Most homeowners tend to opt for whites that are on the warm side of the spectrum, since they give a home a more “cozy” look and feel.
Exterior Paint Colors
So far, I’ve focused solely on interior paint colors—mainly because I think it’s more difficult to select colors for interior walls. You have to consider things like the size of the room, the amount and type of light the room has, and the other elements in the room (flooring, cabinetry, and furnishings).
That’s not to say that it’s easy to select exterior paint colors. It’s just not as complicated as selecting colors for the interior.
Many newer homes in San Diego are part of an HOA. In these cases, there is often a list of colors to choose from. This definitely makes it easier to select a paint color, since your options are narrowed down considerably.
The style of your home can also help determine the colors you paint the exterior of your home. I went into great detail on this subject in a previous article.
If your home isn’t part of an HOA, every color of the rainbow is at your disposal! You first need to determine what impression you want your house to make. Do you want to make a bold statement? Do you want it to “fit in” with the rest of the homes in the neighborhood? Are you going for a trendy look or a more traditional one? The answers to these questions will help determine the color palette of the exterior of your home.
In general, most people stick with neutral colors for their exterior, such as shades of white, grey, or tan. Blues and yellows are also popular options in some neighborhoods, and for certain styles of homes. That doesn’t mean you can’t use another color, but just know that if you choose a more non-traditional color, such as purple, your house will forever be know as “that purple house.” Maybe you’re okay with that, though.
Still Not Sure? Hire a San Diego Color Consultant
If you’re someone who isn’t confident in choosing paint colors for your home, consider hiring a color consultant. A color consultant is someone with an eye for design and likely knows some things about color psychology (how different colors affect your mood and behavior).
At our San Diego house painting company, we have color consultants as part of our team, but there are also independent consultants out there who can help you.
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