Painting is an easy way to redecorate and freshen up the look of your home. But just like any other home improvement, the finished product will look much better when you spend time in the design process.
Whether you DIY the painting project or hire a qualified interior designer, there are tricks and tips to getting the most bang for your decorating dollar when painting your home - inside or out.
Top 5 Design Tips for Painting
Tip 1 - Look at the Big Picture
Never paint a room or a wall without thinking about how it fits into the big picture of your entire home. This includes exterior painting as well. You should mentally take a step back and imagine yourself walking through (or around) your home.
How does the paint color and pattern mesh or flow with the balance of your home? Does it create the look of more space or feel choppy and abrupt? Drama can be done well with paint, but even that bold element shouldn't feel out of place in your home.
Tip 2 - Never Skimp on Quality
Paint quality is a bigger deal than you may think, especially when you're painting certain rooms like the bathroom or kitchen. If you're painting your siding or window frames, it can be crucial to a beautiful finish.
Choose the highest quality paint you can afford and remember that almost any paint can be mixed to create almost any color - don't be held down by a certain paint swatch. Find the color or shade you want and take that to the paint supplier with the best quality paint. They will color match it for you.
Tip 3 - Think Patterns and Textures to Liven Things Up
Although wallpaper is still a booming business, there are so many painting techniques nowadays you may never need to consider the mess and work of wallpapering. Stretch your imagination and consider texturing, adding patterns to your wall and applying unique painting techniques that create a wide range of looks.
Even trompe d-oeil is in the range of possibilities, whether you are an artist or not. Explore the various potential design routes and create your own masterpiece.
Tip 4 - Choose a Variety of Tones
Instead of opting for complimentary or contrasting colors, try different tones of the same color. This monochromatic design creates a light/dark pattern that can work well in most open concept spaces. Play with tones of your flooring or furniture or start something completely different. Often this monochrome look is a perfect backdrop for bold accent and dècor pieces.
Tip 5 - Use a Color Wheel
Take advantage of the color wheels offered at paint retailers. These allow you to choose from a wide variety of colors and will offer quick and simple suggestions for accent colors, contrasts and all of the other elements that come together for a fabulous painting project.
Bring the color wheel home if possible to get a look at the samples in your space, where the lighting and surroundings may be entirely different than in the store. Alternatively, bring furniture cushions and fabric or finish samples from home into the store to see how things look together.
Painting projects are fun and with these design tips in mind, can truly transform your home. Your family will look forward to a fresh facelift and a new look throughout the whole house.
Posted by: TrustedPros
