What could be easier than choosing a wall paint color? Indeed, you remember your favorite color, adjust it to the color of the furniture in the room and go to the building store. No way: the salesman will hand you a huge fan of numerous shades of the same color and will ask you to choose one out of a hundred almost identical ones. With agony you will choose what you would like, and a day after painting you will be surprised that on the wall this shade looks very different.
First, let’s explain how paints get their color
If you go to any construction store, you will find that there are wall and ceiling paints only white on the shelves. The fact is that manufacturers can offer us thousands of colors and shades, so many that there simply would not be enough space in warehouses and stores. As a rule, the places of sale are equipped with special automatic computers, capable of tinting the number of cans you need in the color of your choice. Pastel colors are obtained from the white paint, the so-called base-1, and the bright and saturated – from a semi-transparent base, base-2. Some manufacturers have more almost transparent (for black colors) and glossy base paints.
Order a computer tinting is not necessary, the colorants giving color, and sold separately, just stir them with the paint. But this method presents a number of difficulties:
achieving the desired shade will be more difficult, you will have to intuitively add a certain amount of colorant;
not necessarily by mixing purple with pink, you get a lilac, colorants sometimes behave unpredictably;
achieving the desired shade of one can of paint, it will be difficult to repeat the same with the other banks, because the count is literally on micrograms.
In short, it’s up to you to decide, but serious builders always choose computer tinting.
So, what do the professionals recommend regarding the choice of paint colors for walls
There is a sea of advice on the Internet that white expands the space, and in the bedroom it is better to use calm tones. We will not repeat them, it is better to listen to the opinion of those who paint walls and ceilings every day for many years.
Professional painters and builders prefer to choose a paint color based on such recommendations:
1. The fewer options you have to choose from for a paint color, the easier it is to
Have you decided to paint your living room light green? Then ask the salesperson to show you just the basic colors, some brief color catalog, and it will be easier to choose. Why would you want 67 variations of light green to confuse you more? If you buy paint online, give preference to brands that offer brief color charts. For example, you can find a brief table like this one of the most commonly ordered colors. Very handy.
2. Ask for a catalog of paint colors.
It’s a typical mistake to choose a paint color by advertising brochure or by seeing your favorite shade on an online store’s website. Keep in mind that no monitor, much less a magazine or a brochure, can perfectly render the shade of the paint. If possible, always ask to see a fan with color samples, and not printed on the polygraph, but exactly a catalog with pieces of material painted in different shades of paint of this brand.
3. Don’t forget the purpose of the room.
The color of the walls in your home may just be your whim, but don’t forget what you will be doing in that room. A small bedroom with pumpkin-orange stripes on the walls is unlikely to give you a good night’s sleep.
4. Do not listen to anyone, choose the color of the walls to suit you.
Fashion magazines, your designer and architect friends can advise anything, but you and your loved ones will live in the house. So what if for some people the pink ceiling – it’s too much. And it reminds you of the color of ice cream, which you bought your mother as a child.
5. Of the two options, give preference to the less saturated one.
A tiny rectangle of crimson may look very pretty in a catalog of colors, but you’ll get dizzy when you’re in front of such a huge wall. Always choose a much lighter and calmer color.
6. Do you have a smooth or textured wall?
Yes, it makes a huge difference. Imagine that the wall is covered in pebble plaster (creates the effect of scattered grains on the surface). Each pebble of plaster has both a light side and at the same time casts a tiny shadow – meaning the entire wall takes on a slightly darker tone. Be sure to consider texture when choosing a paint shade.
7. Why not do a test paint job!
Still can’t figure out which paint color to choose? Here’s an easy way: order a few of the smallest cans of paint in different colors from the ones you can’t decide between, and paint a not-so-catchy wall in the room with them. Then just paint over these areas.
8. If you test the color, then in real conditions.
If you liked the above advice, note that you should paint the wall not somewhere, but in the very room where you plan to repair. Paint in several layers, according to what is written in the instructions, try to paint at least 1 square meter. Assessing the results, try to include the same lighting that will be used in the room.
By the way, if you can’t do a test paint job, try to at least bring a color catalog into the room and evaluate the colors in the conditions of the particular room.
9. Don’t break the rules of painting.
No one likes to follow instructions, “why read technical charts?” Should we be surprised that then the paint will not only soon crack, but also will have a different shade, it is good if not different in different areas of the wall. Please paint properly.
10. Don’t rush to judgment.
Allow the walls to dry properly. In absolutely ideal conditions, water-soluble paint dries for about half a day, just wait a few days and you’ll see that the wall color is perfect.
Have a beautiful home!
