Don’t be afraid to use a fun color to bring out the unique features of your home.

I get it. We have all been there. That moment when the stress of choosing a paint color for your interior or exterior project becomes a situation of paralysis by analysis. Here are three ideas to help you get unstuck and moving forward with selecting the right colors for your project.

How to pick the perfect Color Palette for home.
If only choosing that perfect color was easy! After all, the colors you choose will be with you for the next 5-10 years. Well, if you follow these design tips, choosing that perfect color for your house painter will be a cinch. The people of the Northwest, and especially Olympia, Tacoma, and Lacey are known for using color to add drama and flair to their homes. Don’t be afraid to be bold and have fun!

1. Start With the Formal Areas of the House
When searching for the perfect colors for your home, start with formal areas like your living room, dining room and the entryways to your home. These are the spaces that you will spend most of the time in when you are not sleeping. Therefore, it makes sense to think which colors would be great in these spaces. How would these colors coordinate with your furniture and cabinet painting? Keep in mind that you will decorate your home, so try to follow one color scheme through the home. Many designers suggest that you go from dark to light, with the darkest colors on the floor, medium colors on the wall, and lightest colors on the ceiling. This color scheme will ensure uniformity on your interior painting and also provide a pleasing visual image.

2. Use the Rule of 60-30-10
Try to divy up your color palette using the old, but functional 60-30-10 design rule. This rule suggests that 60 percent of your room/house should be in your primary color (in an interior room this would be the walls, on an exterior this would be the body of the house). 30 percent would be in your secondary color (in an interior this would be the furniture, on an exterior this would be the gables), and 10 percent would be an accent color (for interiors this would be the accessories and home decoration, for exteriors this would be the trim). This color division will also ensure uniformity and create a symmetrical design throughout your home both inside and out.

3. Think About Your Permanent Materials.
Take into consideration the permanent materials on your home’s exterior. If you have a stone foundation, wooden patios, or brick detailing, try to pick a color that compliments these permanent fixtures. It is always a good idea to grab paint samples, go outside and place the desired paint next to your permanent fixtures to gauge its compatibility. A good example would be if you have a rustic grey stone facade on your home and you have always wanted to add a splash of red as an accent. Go outside, and hold a red paint sample adjacent to the stone to compare its compatibility. It is often surprising how many colors are hidden within elements like stone. It is not uncommon to start noticing colors that you hadn’t even noticed before.

Design is only as complicated as you make it…

Using these 3 tips when selecting colors for the interior and exterior of your home will make the color selection process much easier. If all else fails, feel free to ask us about getting you connected with a color consultant! We work with some great interior decorators that can guide you through the process. Happy painting!