If you have just moved into a new house, or desperately just want a change of scenery in your home, then I am sure you have considered painting the walls. It is, however, quite a big job and can be pretty scary choosing the correct type of paint as well as the colour. Here are some pointers to help you choose the right colour and paint type for your home.
If you don’t have an idea in your mind of what you would like your home to look like, this would be a great place to start. Get some inspiration from nature, or the beach or even have a look on Pinterest to find a great theme that would suit you and your home.
Choosing a paint type
There are several different types of paint which can be used on your walls, however, we recommend using a Matte paint.
Regular matte paint is the most common, however you might need to touch it up every now and again. Therefore, we recommend using matt enamel. Matte enamel is a little more long lasting than the regular matte and it can easily be cleaned with a wet cloth. You would usually need about 2 coats to get the full effect.
The other types of paint also have their own advantages. Here is a list to help you get an idea of what you are looking for;
Semi-gloss:
Semi-gloss is better used for the trim rather than the walls. It has a harder finish and much easier to wash than some of the other paints. It is also less glossy than full-gloss paint and the coverage is amazing. It usually only takes one coat to completely cover the whole wall.
Eggshell:
This type of sheen also has great coverage like the semi-gloss but much more suited towards the walls instead of just the trim.
Satin:
Satin is ideal for walls in the kitchen where you are sure to be cleaning them nearly every day. This sheen is not suited for walls with imperfections as tends to accentuate every bump.
Choosing a colour
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a colour scheme for your room and walls, for instance if the room isn’t very bright and there is not enough natural light entering the room, then a lighter colour would be preferable, whereas if there is a lot of light entering the room then a darker colour would suit the room just fine.
Light
When deciding on a paint colour, you should take into account that both natural and artificial light will affect the room quite drastically.
The effect natural light will have the room will vary depending on which side the room is facing. For instance, if the room is facing South, the light that enters the room will have a yellow or warmer effect. Therefore, cooler shades will become a little brighter.
**If you are unsure which colour to select, paint a little bit of the wall in the selected room and have a look at all the different shades throughout the day.
Another aspect to consider is the type of lights you have in your room. Fluorescent lights will give off a bluer colour, whereas a halogen light is much brighter and whiter and will work better with warmer colours such as yellow.
Furniture
Your furniture can change a room from being bright and friendly to dark and moody depending on how the furniture interacts with the colours of your wall and your rooms space. A bold wall colour, such as dark blue or bright red tends to make the room very dark, so the furniture you decide to keep in your room should be brighter and warmer. Light browns, whites and even light grey would suit a dark blue, whereas a deep red would suit a darker brown, but perhaps think of adding a little more artificial light in your room.
A great idea is to select a theme for your whole house and not just a room. This doesn’t mean you have to paint every room the same colour, but if you had a beach themed house, you could paint every room in a different tone of blue or green even. You could even paint the roof!
Selecting a colour for your walls can be quite daunting, just remember that it is just paint and if you happen to be unhappy with your walls, you can always redo them. Have fun and enjoy your home.