Never underestimate the power of paint!! One of the easiest and most cost-efficient (especially if you can DIY) ways to drastically makeover a room is…paint! Taking the plunge actually to paint is a hard one to do because of the abundance of color options and the fear of choosing the wrong color. I love the power of paint. It can take a room from busy to spacious, from boring to fab. Today, I am sharing my favorite paint colors, the importance of the shade you choose, and tips on how to select the perfect color hue.
Have you ever found yourself at the paint store staring at the color wheel with its endless rainbow of choices? Where to start??? Well, look no further!
FAVORITE NEUTRAL COLORS
Do you want your space to feel more substantial, possibly selling your home (buyers LOVE neutrals), or not sure of your design aesthetic? These are just a few of the many reasons to keep your walls neutral. And let me go on the record by saying a neutral color pallet is anything except boring! It is timeless, crisp, and elegant.
Favorite White: Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore, it is a clean white, perfect for walls, ceilings, trim, & doors.
I love using a neutral color like Chantilly lace. I recently used it as the wall color in the Modern Farmhouse and will feature it in the new modern industrial home project I have started.
If you need a warmer white tone, then Sherwin Williams Alabaster is perfect. The Spanish home we have been working on over the past year perfectly represents Alabaster. We used it in her kitchen and throughout the trim in this home. I will get a blog post up for you once the project is complete but for now, check out this progress pic.
If you are looking for a color that works well with grays and browns, I like Sherwin Williams Shiitake. I have used it in several of my projects where clients have requested gray color tones, but their home currently has lots of brown tones to work with. This paint color is the perfect blender.
FAVORITE BOLD COLORS
If you live in your forever home do not, I repeat DO NOT be afraid to make bold statements using paint. Get creative and choose fun colors for casual spaces. If you really want to go big with paint, select a colorful paint and paint walls, ceiling and trim all the same color, the outcome will be a chic and polished room.
Favorite Black:
Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams. It is a neutral black without any powerful undertones (more on that later). We have used this as an accent color in the Modern farmhouse that I spoke about earlier and the Spanish style home. It’s a color that works well with all design styles.
Gray:
If you are looking for a dark gray look no further Sherwin Williams Peppercorn. It is a clean and beautiful gray color. I have used this in movie rooms, closets, and bedrooms. I love the moody vibe it can bring to your space.
Brown:
Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams is another fun color that’s beautiful and bold, but not too over the top. It is a dark color that is primarily brown but think of it as a modern-day brown color you will love for years. There is a subtle grey hint to the color too, truly beautiful.
Colorful:
My favorite bold color is Bavarian Forest by Benjamin Moore; it makes an appearance on an accent wall in our chill spot and pairs with the navy sofa perfectly giving a playful yet polished look for the room. I also love Hale Navy by Sherwin Williams. Hale Navy is featured in one of my favorite dining rooms to date in Ashdown Forest.
Shop Chill Spot Furniture & Decor
PAINTING TIPS & TRICKS
No matter how much I want to be, I am just not a great DIY person. Over the years, I have learned from my {failed} attempts. Anyone remember when I spray painted the kitchen island…moving on. I do know my paint colors and love digging deep into them to see the undertones that may come out once you paint them in your home. There are a few things to consider before you select your final paint color:
Paint Samples:
It is vital to test your final few options. Never test on your wall, instead, paint a large piece of cardboard. Sometimes projects you plan get delayed, and the worst is having paint samples painted on your wall, staring at you every day. Also, it is common for the paint sample to leave a finish on your walls that cannot be fixed by simply painting over it. Do not make this mistake!
Put Your Sample to the Test:
Be sure to view the sample in the room throughout the day, allowing you to see how the color may change as the natural light changes. Unless you select the purest white, the paint color is bound to have undertones. Depending on the lighting, you may see a hint of blue, purple, or even pink.
Creating a Seamless Transition:
If you are painting your walls white or cabinetry white and would like for your trim also to be white, I recommend using the same color both on the walls and the trim. Creating a seamless transition between the two but also makes a timeless statement.
More than just walls:
If you are feeling brave or have a piece of furniture that needs a little makeover, modernize it with paint. For furniture, I love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It requires no prep and has great colors to choose from. It is not chalkboard paint, don’t confuse the two. The foundation of chalk paint allows for easy application any DIY’r can accomplish, even me.
I seem to get antsy every year as summer approaches; I always think I have all this extra time to take on a few DIY projects around the house. Who’s with me? Who’s ready to go and paint their walls and ceilings? Just looking at these fantastic paint colors is so inspiring and has my creative juices flowing. I can’t wait to see how you transform your space using my favorite paint colors and tips.
