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Choosing Paint Color: Part I

By
Home Stager with Empire Home Staging Solutions

 

When it comes to picking paint colors for our homes...the paint store selections can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. So many different paints to choose from: interior paints,exterior paints, different brands of paint,multiple colors and different types of finishes.

It can all be somewhat confusing just trying to pick out the right color, let alone the type of finish or brand!

 

 

Generally, we will leave the paint stores with  our color swatches. We take them home and    look at them in the comforts of our own environments hoping to select one or two colors that will work for the project at hand.   

For some this task comes easy, for others it can be a very frustrating process!

OH, NO!  You just rolled a gallon of the color you picked out from the tiny paint store swatch and  now that it's dried, it just doesn't look like the color you thought it was going to be! 

How can you be sure to pick colors that will work for you? 

Most stores now offer sample sizes, so that you can test the color on your wall prior to investing in a gallon or more of your favorite color. It is always best when choosing colors, to test them first before purchasing the amount needed for your project. You want to be sure you are going to be able to live with the color and that it is harmonious with your homes decor.  Look at your test spot at various times of the day. This will help for you to see how the color will change with the days light. 

Choosing Paint Color: Part I

Tip 1. Purchase sample sizes of the colors you are considering and test them out prior to investing in a gallon or more.  Roll or brush a generous amount of your sample in order to get a true sense of the color. After it has dried, check on the way your test spot color looks in the room at different times of the day to ensure you will be happy living with your selection day or night.

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For Color Consultations, Professional Home Staging, and Re-Design Services call the experts at Empire Home Staging Solutions.  Serving the Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas of Southern California.

Michelle Pimentel,ASP,IAHSP (909) 694-9981

                                                                                                           

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Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Very pretty post Michelle!  Makes me want to paint a room!!!  :) 

Sep 05, 2008 05:40 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Michelle good tip, I've done this and the ones I thought I wanted were NOT when I did this.  It was not as expensive as painting the whole room twice.  Good post.

Sep 05, 2008 06:39 PM
Kat DeLong
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
REALTOR

Michelle:  This is some great information about picking paint colors!!!  I am so happy that the stores now carry those sample colors--awesome idea.  I've made some "bad" choices before--trial and error...before the sample thingy.

 Kitty 1 

Sep 06, 2008 03:19 AM
Susan Deering
Beautiful Spaces - Calgary, AB

I love choosing paint colors, and have found that as you mentioned, some colors don't look the same on the wall as they do on the swatch. Often the colors has several pigments in it that you don't see until it's on the wall and it has certain lights shining on it - sunlight, dusk, evening lights. etc.

I agree that the large swatches work really well as does purchasing the small paint jars to test a sample on the wall and look at it for a couple of days. Just make sure when you put a test patch on the wall that it is done with a sponge brush and is very smooth so you don't notice the texture of it when you paint over it later.

Can't wait to see Part II of your blog!

 

Sep 06, 2008 03:28 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Michelle ~ I always, always recommend buying the sample of the color you think you want.  I have done it myself when choosing a color for my own home, because they really can look different on the wall of the room its going in. 

Sep 06, 2008 04:08 AM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Cathy- Thanks!  What color are you going to pick out?

Terrylynn- It is worth it to sample first, saves on $$$ and less headaches!

Sep 07, 2008 08:05 AM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Kat- Hard to believe that you've made BAD choices! I guess it happens to the best of us...that's why sampling first makes GOOD sense!

Susan- The swatches are wonderful to look at, but don't really give us a good sense of the true color.  Sampling the color first always helps to view it's true value.  Thanks for your comment, come back for more tips in Part II & III!

Sep 07, 2008 08:10 AM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Kathy- It's always good to recommend for your clients to sample colors first.  I know from experience, it saves on a lot of headaches and I'm sure clients appreciate you more for caring about what color is going on their walls.  After all they are the ones that have to live with it and you want to make sure they are happy before investing in large quantities of the paint!

Sep 07, 2008 08:17 AM
Terri Lucas
Exclusive Home Staging - Redondo Beach, CA
Exclusive Home Staging Los Angeles

When choosing paint colors with clients during a color consultation I always have my large swatches.  I hold them up for the client in direct sunlight and in the shadows.  This helps them understand how very different color can change in lighting conditions but, I always recommend painting test swatches prior to purchasing.

Oct 16, 2008 03:08 AM
Michele Hess
Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL
Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

Great tips and guidelines for selecting paint.  I agree, testing a small area will ensure your client will be pleased with the end result.  It is worth the extra effort and beats the alternative of purchasing the paint and not being happy with the end results.

Oct 16, 2008 11:19 PM
Randall Schrader
Competitive Insurance of Dundee - Dundee, FL

I like paint.  It's cheap and it makes everything look new and fresh.

Oct 25, 2008 01:19 AM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Terri-Thanks for commenting! It really is always best to test first in order to avoid any complications.

Michele-I know your careful with paint selections when it comes to choosing colors for your clients, testing first always...means hasslefree painting!

Randall-Painting is an inexpensive way to update any home and give it a fresh look! Thanks for visiting.

Oct 25, 2008 02:48 AM
Wendy Casey
A-List Home Staging & Decor - Surrey, BC

 I always test the 'test sizes' on a white board...it's protable and can be used again for clients. Also, now you have ability to see what it looks like on all four walls, by moving it around. Happy fall painting!

Wendy Casey - Surrey, BC

Oct 29, 2008 05:41 AM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Wendy- Testing first is always best...a sample board is a great idea for transporting samples to clients homes.  Thanks for visiting!

Oct 29, 2008 03:32 PM
Margaret Ann Innis
Decorate To Sell - Merrimack Valley Real Estate Staging - Andover, MA
Real Estate Staging - MA & NH

Hi Michelle - Clients are afraid of color and the mistakes involved.  There are many things to consider including metamerism!   The Dewey Color System makes color easier for clients - and us!  

Oct 29, 2008 11:49 PM
Brenda Harmon
Century 21 Beal, Inc College Station, Texas - College Station, TX

Randall,

I like paint it's the painting I hate.

Michelle,

We are remodeling and I went to get a paint sample I saw in a magazine.

The salesclerk recommened I try the sample on a foam board prior to applying to the wood.

I didn't think about trying it at night also, thanks for the tip.

Oct 30, 2008 02:10 AM