A fresh coat of paint is the most inexpensive way to “remodel” a room. Many times you will find decorating most successful when the paint color is the last decorating decision you make! Paint color is much easier and less expensive to change when compared to investments such as cabinetry, window treatments, furniture and flooring. When choosing a wall color, pull hues from your favorite long lasting pieces to help create a unified look. Color appeals directly to emotions and is very powerful to play with. There have been extensive studies on the affects of color and the moods they help create. Warm colors such as red, yellow and orange create excitement and promote cheerfulness. When attempting to create a relaxing and refreshing mood select cool colors such as blue, turquoise, green or purple. If you find yourself searching for a spacious feel choose colors with little contrast. On the other hand, if you are trying to create a cozy feel, bright colors with a lot of contrast will be successful. When selecting a paint color take your time! Don’t select your paint color from the small sample in the store! Take a handful of swatches home to see what they look like in your light and with your belongings. Buy samples of a few paint colors and paint them on the wall. Ideal swatches are at least 18” x 24” in size. Ponder over the swatches for a few days and watch how the color changes throughout the day. Color can be fun and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. It can help complete the look of a room or transform the feel completely. If you feel like a color change but are nervous, or find it hard selecting a color, you may benefit from hiring a professional to help you with your final decisions. Professional interior designers work with combining colors, textures and patterns everyday, making them the expert!

Jillian Renner, Interior Designer Golden Rule Remodeling & Architecture

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