How to Pick a Paint Color

Choosing a paint color can be surprisingly difficult. There are countless shades of the same color. And it’s really hard to visualize a whole room of one color based on those little paint chips from the home improvement store.

Fortunately, there are ways to make the process of picking a paint color a little easier.

Keep reading for some tips and tricks!

How to Pick Paint Colors for the Outside of Your House

An exterior paint color is something you don’t want to get wrong. It’s well worth the time and nominal expense to test out a few colors and find one you truly love.

But before you head to the paint store, find out if there are any restrictions you need to keep in mind. Your neighborhood or homeowners’ association might have rules about the colors (and even paint brands) you can choose from. Once you know those details, you’ll be able to start narrowing down colors.

Helpful tips for picking an exterior paint color

• Choose a color that you genuinely like, but make sure it fits the architectural style of your house.
• Keep the color of your roof in mind as you browse paint chips.
• Light gray and light tan are safe colors that won’t turn off potential buyers or immediately date your house.
• If you prefer an even lighter color, look for a creamy white or ivory. Pure white is harsh for an entire building.
• Dark colors can be really pretty, but stick to neutral tones. Saturated, soft blue or earthy browns, for example, are dark without being jarring to the eye.
• Don’t try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to trim paint. Go a couple shades darker or lighter from the color you chose for the house.

And above all, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Paint professionals are the experts for a reason: they know what they’re doing.

How to Pick Interior Paint Colors

Choosing a paint color for the inside of your house usually isn’t too hard. It’s less stressful than picking a color for the outside, that’s for sure. But you still want to get it right!

If you’re painting with the goal of getting your house ready to sell, choose neutral colors. When you put your house on the market, you’ll need to spend some time depersonalizing it for showings. That means boxing up sentimental and personal items and photographs, but it also includes decor. Your house might be perfect for a potential buyer, but very dark or very bright paint colors can be off-putting. Strong colors might make it hard for them to imagine themselves living there.

Neutral tones are easier on the eyes. They also let buyers focus on the bones of the house rather than the repainting they’ll want to do. Opt for creamy ivory, light gray, or soft beige shades. If you can, use the same paint color in all the rooms of the house.

If your project’s goal is to make your house more of a home, then you really don’t have any restrictions. Start with your favorite colors and go from there. Using small paint samples to paint swatches is a great way to narrow your top choices and find the winner.

Helpful tips for choosing an interior paint color

• Think about the room’s purpose. Don’t be afraid of color, especially in gathering spots, like living and dining rooms.
• Use furniture and decor pieces as inspiration. A throw pillow or a piece of wall art could be just the key to finding the perfect shade for a room.
• Remember that you don’t have to paint an entire room. Try an accent wall, for example. Or experiment with other decorative additions, like beadboard or a chair rail.
• Be mindful of a few color theory guidelines. Lighter colors usually make a room feel larger. Very dark colors can make a room feel small.
• If you opt for different colors around the house, try to stick to similar color tones. If you choose a warm ivory with a yellow undertone for one room, look for similarly warm paint colors for the rest of the house.

Choosing the Right Paint Colors

Picking the perfect paint color sometimes takes a little trial and error. Don’t be afraid to paint swatches so you can see what a color is really like in different lighting. Look at the preselected color combinations from the paint manufacturers. You might not go with their exact recommendations, but it’s good inspiration.