Choosing Colour in Residential Painting jobs:
Painting is one the most efficient ways to refresh the house and increase the value without spending a lot of cash. Choosing the right colour for your residential painting project is crucial for success.
GET ADVENTUROUS
When faced with swatches showing 15 shades of cerulean, it’s easy to take the safe option of beige or cream. But getting adventurous with colour is an easy way to liven up and theme a room; create a feature wall or a background to stand-out artwork. It can enhance the timber tones of bookshelves and cabinetry and is an ideal approach for first homeowners wanting to unify mismatched furniture.
Wheel of colour
While a favourite colour or object often determines the main paint colour for a room, you may wish to consult a colour wheel for a secondary or contrasting colour. The colours that are opposite each other are called complementary colours. These hues will enhance each other in a colour scheme. The hues on each side of a given colour are called related colour and form the basis for a coordinated look.
SIMPLE RULES FOR PAINTING A ROOM
- In residential painting job always pick three colours with one for the trim, one for the walls and one for the ceiling. Contrast or keep the same colour in different shades but note that a stark while ceiling against rich walls makes them appear shorter and the room look unfinished.
- Keep the trim the same in open rooms for continuity. Choose a colour three shades lighter than the wall.
- In residential painting jobs if the ceiling is less than 2,700 mm high, paint it two shades lighter than the walls. If the ceiling is more than 3,000 mm, have it two shades darker.
- If you want a long, narrow room to look wider, paint one or both of the short walls a bright or dark colour and the other walls a pale colour. If the room is square and lacks a focal paint such as fireplace or large window, paint one wall a rich accent colour such as maroon.
So many shades
There are only seven colours in the spectrum, so if you can’t decide on one from the charts and swatches, look at the darkest shade at the bottom of a section. If you could live with that one then you’ll like the ones above it. But if you compare the lighter shades they all start looking the same, and many DIYers end up buying a lighter, safer version of the bold shade they originally wanted.
In the mood
You can use colour to create a mood. Dark colours will absorb light and lend a quiet, intimate feeling to a room. But be careful too dark a room can end up being depressing. Bright colours are generally exciting; while subdued ones are relaxing and restful.
Lighten up
Before choosing a strong, bold colour for your walls, consider using one shade or two shades lighter. You will find a colour seems to darken and intensify as you spread it across the walls. If you end up with one that is too strong, you may end up with more colour than you really want.
Colour for every room
Use the psychology of colour when choosing paint to make spaces more functional.
RED and ORANGE are vibrant and passionate. Red can aid digestion, making it great for dining rooms. Orange is cheerful, warm, decreases hospitality and improves social interaction. Best for living and entertaining areas.
Yellow is notoriously difficult, increasing metabolism and upsetting babies. However, a happy sunshine yellow instils optimism, while light lemon is credited with sharpening memory and aiding communication. Try it in the home office.
Green is calming and peaceful, but there are so many shades. Olive can be sophisticated and calming, sea green can be rejuvenating. Freshest in the bathroom.
Blue is popular, inspiring peace, loyalty and sincerity. It lowers blood pressure, slows the respiratory rate and relaxes the body. Almost any shade suits the bedroom.
VIOLET and MAUVE are emotional, calming and creative. Violet inspires philosophical thought, lateral thinking and daydreaming. Ideal for the sunroom.
Pink is gentle and protective. Great for the nursery.
Brown and earthy tones are interior trendsetters, considered stable, homely, warm and reassuring, and blending with natural materials in furniture and decor. Welcoming in the lounge room.
Grey is popular and considered a disciplined colour, making it suitable for a room that needs to be structured. Smarten up the study.
WHITE is associated with innocence and cleanliness. Off-white can make a home feel open and fresh and just one coat makes a room feel cleaner. Brightens hallways and rooms with low ceiling.
BLACK makes s statement and is the colour of gothic fantasy for teenage rooms. It’s also sophisticated and powerful if used sparingly. Feature in formal living areas.
Colour choosing tips for residential painting Sydney
The best way to determine whether a certain colour will suit a room is to hang a large swatch of it on the wall where it is to be and leave it there for 24 hours. Observe how the colour looks as the light changes, under artificial light and at the times when the room is used the most.
To make a swatch, either tape a number of paint samples together or coat a thich piesce of porous paper or light board with the paint.
Beverly Homes Company
