How to Choose the Right Paint Color for Your Home

We all want our homes to reflect our unique tastes and personalities. Sometimes this can be easier said than done. One of the biggest issues homeowners have when painting their homes is choosing the right interior paint colors that not only match their tastes, but also go well in their space. For those in the midst of this big decision, we put together a guide to help you make the best paint color choices for your home! This paint color guide includes color psychology, the effects of certain paint colors, and how we can help you find the best paint colors for your home.

What is Color Psychology?

Color psychology is the study of colors’ effects on humans and their behavior. Different hues evoke different emotions in people and can also affect behavior. For example, reds are often thought of as romantic, sensual, and high energy. One the other side of the spectrum, blues will conjure feelings of serenity, trust, and competence.

Why is this important for the paint colors in your home? The colors you have in your home can bring up certain emotions. Since you’re likely at home every day, you will feel these emotions every day. Color plays a big part in making your home feel the way you want it to.

Paint Colors and their Effects

If you’re at the beginning of your paint color journey, start here: Warm vs Cool Colors    

The most basic way to split up colors is by separating the warm ones (reds, oranges, yellows) from the cool ones (greens, blues, purples).

Warm colors and hues will generally give a room more energy, while cool colors and hues will give rooms a sense of calm. This is a great place to start in your color choice journey so you can cut your options in half.

Do you want your home or space to feel more energized, cozy, or uplifting? Look at the warmer colors and warmer neutrals. Do you want your home or space to feel calm, clean, and relaxed? Look at the cooler colors and cooler neutrals.

Pro tip: Softening warm colors and saturating cool colors will change the emotions they conjure up. Softening the warm colors will give them a “cooler” touch meaning they can come off as more relaxing (think apricot orange, light pink, soft yellow). In the same way, saturating or brightening cool colors will give off a burst of energy (think lime green, teal or turquoise, and bright lilac).

Neutrals

Painting your walls in neutral colors is a popular choice because it allows homeowners to change up decorations when desired and is a good backdrop for almost any kind of décor. Each neutral can give off a different feeling, too.

Black tends to evoke sophistication, power, and professionalism. White signifies simplicity, freshness, and purity. Not only are these colors opposites, but they also have opposite effects on your home. Black makes spaces feel classier, but smaller. White makes spaces feel larger, but simpler. Similarly, to black and white, gray and brown are opposites. Grays will feel serious and modern, while browns will feel earthy and rustic.

Did you know that even neutrals can be warm or cool? There are warm and cool versions of each neutral color. Each of these will still be in line with their overall warm or cool families, but in a more muted way. Warm neutrals won’t be energizing in the same way that fire engine red will be, but they make a room feel cozy and comforting. Cool neutrals may not be as serene as a soft blue, but they still make spaces feel light and fresh.

How We Can Help You Choose the Right Paint Color

At Ace Hardware Painting Services, we simplify the color selection process so you can stop taping paint swatches to your exterior or interior and finally decide on your perfect color. Our paint consultation process helps make your vision a reality!

Our paint color consultation includes:

• 1-hour In-Person Consultation
• Color Swatches & Decks
• Three Benjamin Moore Test Pints
• Interior & Exterior Expert
• HOA Compliance

We also offer a free color consultation with any full interior or exterior residential painting project! Have questions about choosing the right paint color or want a paint color consultation for your home? Contact us online or call 855-PAINT80!