How Do You Pick Paint Colors For A Whole House?
Selecting paint colors for an entire house may manifest as a daunting process, especially if you plan to slowly update each room. However, you can create a plan beforehand, which will allow you to design the space around a color palette. As you have time and funds to work on each room, your plan can guide the paint purchases. Below are several tips to pick paint colors for a whole house.
Paint colors for a whole house
Document the space
Start by making a list of the rooms and how you plan to use each of them. Some rooms may have an obvious function, such as the kitchen or entryway. However, some rooms and walkways may require planning. By taking inventory of the rooms and their purpose, you can craft a list of the paint colors and finishes needed for each. Also, you will get a chance to really map out your decorating plan, ensuring you’ll relish the end result of the rooms.
Tonya Lee at The Spruce explains how to create a decorating plan that will not feel overwhelming.
Keep a notebook or journal of ideas
Using your notebook, make a priority list
Decide on your budget
Convert your journaling ideas to a board
Using your board, decide where things will go in your space
Estimate costs
With this deliberate process, you can paint knowing that the colors will complement your final design.
Note which areas are visible to one another
As you sit in each room, consider which spaces you can see. If your home includes a staircase that connects two floors, that wall color will impact both rooms. Also, with the resurgence of open floor plans, you might find that several spaces are visible to each other. Remember this when you plan the hues for each wall.
Barbara Jacobs writes about Connecting Rooms with Color at HGTV.
Choose three to five favorite colors and consider how you want to see them in the space.
Vary the colors from room to room by varying the intensity of colors within adjacent color families: for example, blues and greens together.
To create a pleasing scale, choose color accents (small areas) that contrast with walls and floor colors (large areas).
These notes will help you plan the colors for connecting walls in your home.
Start by picking a color for the biggest, most central room
Often, a kitchen or family room naturally encourages gathering. Since you will spend the most time in this area, the space sets the tone for the whole home. From this room, all of the other colors will flow, so make sure you pick a hue that you love.
Below are several quizzes to help you find your style.
What is Your Design Style? by BHG
What's Your Décor Style? by MyDomaine
MyStyleFinder Quiz by Lonny
Trust Your Taste by Apartment Therapy
Once you pick a color for the central room, you can shape a palette around that selection.
Use shades of the same hue
Picking a palette that uses several shades of the same hue will ensure consistency across your base colors. Accessories and accents can bring in the other, more lively tones. Then, as you move from room to room, the feel of the space will remain the same.
Below are some tips from HGTV to pick a perfect palette.
In general, analogous color schemes—colors next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue and green—are more casual and relaxing, and work best in informal or private spaces.
Put today's trendiest neutral, gray, to work in any style interior.
Always chic, black + white is one dynamic duo that never goes out of style.
“Picking the right shade of gray is crucial when coordinating to your warm or cool decor. Once that is determined, the tone should then pair beautifully with both pastels and kicky colors like hot pink or kelly green.”- Sydney Stephens, Designer
Lay samples together
Once you have collected all your samples for each room, lay them together in one place. Consider whether you adore the way they all feel together. You may decide to replace some of the colors after seeing them all together.
Some tips for looking at samples include:
Paint large pieces of cardboard or foamcore that you can move around the space.
Tape swatches in several areas with different light.
Keep the samples for several days or weeks while you decide.
Now, as you consider the colors from room to room, you should focus on how each tone makes you feel. Moving through the space, the tones should complement each other while lending distinction to each area.
Get Advice from Experts
When choosing between colors, the nuance of each tone might leave you overwhelmed and frustrated. If you are having trouble deciding, talk to one of our designers about your project.
While repainting a house remains a huge undertaking, you can pick paint colors that will work throughout the space. Just start with a plan and follow it. Then, you can rest and enjoy a space that is unique to you.