How to Choose Paint Colors for Your House
Are you ready to update your house? There are plenty of home improvements you can make, big or small, that are sure to leave an impact. If you’re looking to refresh your house with paint, the first thing you have to do is choose some potential colors. Easier said than done, right? Selecting a color palette for your home can seem like a daunting task because of the endless options out there.
Here’s the best process for choosing paint colors for your home.
Pick out a few color options. The first step in deciding which color(s) are suitable for your home is to choose a few different colors. It sounds silly, but this first step is crucial on the path to deciding which color is right for you. You’ll narrow down the options without completely settling on one particular color from the start. Then, consider the space you’re looking to paint — is it indoors or outdoors? What does the furniture look like? Is there a lot of natural light in the room? Are there any colors or color families you can’t stand? What colors make you happiest? The answers to these questions will point you in the right direction for the next steps.
Know a little color theory. Consider your reason for having your home painted. Is it to make your home look bigger? Perhaps it’s so your home can feel cozier. Whatever your reason for painting is, there’s a paint color to match your goal. Generally speaking, crisp whites can help open up a space, but these hues can also make a room feel cold and lifeless. On the other hand, warm colors can make any space in a home feel welcoming, while soothing cool pastels can make a space more relaxing. Think about the atmosphere you’re trying to create and let that inspire your color choices.
Test multiple paint swatches. Whether you’re painting indoors or outdoors, professional house painters in Ashland, MA, say it’s always a good idea to do a color swatch test before making the final decision. You can easily get a sample size of the color you’re considering from a local paint or hardware store. When you swatch, make sure to test the color in multiple areas, so you get a good idea of how the color looks in shadow versus how it looks in the light. Additionally, make sure to swatch a large enough space (about a one-foot by one-foot area will do), so you have a better idea of how the color will look when you commit.
Use an online color visualizer. Perhaps the most challenging part of choosing a color for the interior or exterior of your home is knowing what it will look like when the job is done. Color swatching can get you pretty far, but you still won’t know what the finished product will truly look like. Fortunately, there are a variety of free tools online that can help you picture any color in your space. All you have to do is upload photos of your room, choose the color you’re considering, and the visualizer will provide you with a picture of your revitalized space.
Decide on a paint finish. One of the last steps in choosing a paint color for your home is settling on the type of finish you want. Most paints are available in flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss. The space you’re having painted can help determine the finish you choose, as can your personal preferences. Homeowners often opt for a long-lasting finish like eggshell or satin in high-traffic areas because it is scrubbable and can withstand the test of time. If you’re unsure which finish is right for you, a painting professional can provide you with more information.
And if you’re still stuck on what color paint to choose for your home makeover, it might be time for a consultation. Professional painters and interior decorators can usually make color recommendations for any space in your home. Remember that you don’t always have to go with what’s on trend. Follow your gut and choose the colors that make you feel the most content.
3 Tips for Decluttering Your Home
There are many reasons a person might decide to declutter their belongings. Perhaps they have an upcoming move approaching, they’re downsizing to a space with less storage, or they might simply be dreaming of a living space with a lot less stuff. In any case, they need to cut down on the items around them, getting rid of things they don’t need and taking advantage of more effective storage options for those items they intend to keep.
As you embark on your decluttering journey, you may run into a wide range of obstacles and even more questions. For example, how should you handle the sheer number of items you have to sort through? Where can you find storage units near you? What should you do with the things you’re purging? Fortunately, a few particular tips can guide you through the decluttering process at home and beyond.
1. Find the right type of decluttering for you.
From Marie Kondo to The Home Edit, there’s no shortage of decluttering and organizing methods you can choose from, and each one has its legions of devoted followers who swear by their strategy of choice. However, your question shouldn’t be which method of organizing or decluttering is the most effective for most people. Instead, you should consider which option is the right fit for you.
Hot Mess House host Cas Aarssen utilizes this concept in her Clutterbug ideology, a set of four different organizing styles she’s seen in her clients. The same principle can be applied to decluttering. For example, should you sort through your items in large groupings, like the KonMari categories of clothes, books, papers, and so on, or will you have better results by categorizing your belongings further, such as decluttering tops, bottoms, dresses, and other subcategories within the larger umbrella of clothing? Once you’ve determined the most effective strategy for your unique needs and personality, the decluttering process will become much less overwhelming.
2. Figure out what to do with your existing belongings.
The belongings you keep and those you decide to discard will need to be dealt with beyond this initial declutter. For those things you plan to keep, what will you be doing with them? Ideally, you’d have delegated spaces within your home for everything you keep. However, your space doesn’t always work with your lifestyle. For instance, what if you’re embarking on RV life and are decluttering your belongings to fit in that small space, but you don’t want to lose their cherished heirlooms or other non-urgent items just because they’re not in the RV with you? In these cases, a storage facility may very well be your best bet. Just be sure to organize your storage unit to make sure your items are indeed organized and decluttered.
3. Find ways to dispose of the excess.
There are other items that you won’t want to keep. It’s easy to toss out blatant trash, but other types of belongings might prove more difficult. Can that box be recycled? Where might you donate those old clothes? What should you do with that entire extra pile? Take some time to research how you should dispose of those items you’ve decluttered to ensure you’re doing so responsibly. Donations, trash, and even gifts can get unnecessary items out of your home or storage space and to a more appropriate destination.
When you stare at a pile of clutter, the sheer thought of purging and organizing can become intimidating. However, you can and will get through these items successfully. Simply spend some time considering the methods and minds that will work best for you, store your “keep” pile in an organized manner, and dispose of the decluttered excess responsibly. Then, enjoy your newfound extra space!