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Paint Colour Ideas

Paint colour ideas for each space can be difficult to get right! There is almost limitless choice and getting it right can be crucial to the tone of the room and the overall impact. The paint colour can greatly affect how you feel about a particular space the minute you apply the paint.

Colour can have a profound impact on us with major emotional implications. Lots of research has been done on the affect of colour on our mood and behaviour; Red’s raise our heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure, whilst lighter colours can be calming. A brightness of a colour can have a dramatic affect also; Pale yellows are more likely to have a soothing affect in a room whereas, in contrast, bright yellow can arouse feelings of unrest and anxiety. Bright colours can over-stimulate and encourage to unsettling feelings, so place these wisely. When deciding on a colour, be patient and take all factors of the room into consideration. Gather as many different paint colour ideas or samples as you can to be sure you get it right.

To narrow it down, it is often useful to know what is going in the room first up; accessories such as furniture and rugs, or feature items can help to determine what colours will compliment and showcase the room and its contents best.
Colours are often categorised as warm or cool. Red’s, oranges and pinks are considered warm colours to have. Greens, blues and violets are cool colours. Carefully consider these factors for the kind of atmosphere you are creating when choosing the right colour for the room.

For a ‘clean’ bright look, white paint can suggest cleanliness, and reflects light well. It can incorporate a coolness to ‘hot’ colour schemes, but too much white can be too vivid. There are literally hundreds of shades of white that you need to understand when selecting a ‘white’ paint. Some ‘off’ whites include colour tints which will have a major impact in the completed room. Be sure to look at colours in daylight to gain a true sense of what it will look like.
When purchasing the paint make a clear record of where it was bought and the details of the batch it was from. This will help enormously if you run out of paint and the store no longer stocks it. The tiniest difference in shade can ruin the room.
If unsure how much paint you need to buy, give the paint store the measurements of the room. They should be able to calculate what you will require. When you think you have landed on the paint colour you want, be sure to get a tester size pot first. Paint a test surface of your wall in a 12″ x 48″ sample size and look at it carefully from a distance, during daylight, night light, and with the artificial lights turned both on and off. Doing this can give you a good indication as to how the finished room will look, and allow you to check how the colours complement items in the room.