Brightest Young Things

I've spent a lot of time in this column talking about paint. Specifically, how to paint. What tools to use, how to use them, where to buy paint, and all of that. The one thing I've been leaving out of those columns is also the primary purpose of paint... the color! Knowing how and when to use primer is important, but you can do a really amazing job of putting up a terrible paint color.

It can be difficult to discuss color selection, because color is a very personal choice. When I used to work at the paint counter, I'd hear from various paint company representatives about what colors were going to be the next big thing. Supposedly for 2009, people will be looking for colors that fit with a more eco-conscious lifestyle. Trends include dusty purple, deep blue, rosy pink, citrus colors for kitchens, and some earthy tones (navy, dark brown). Also, using black as an accent color is on the rise.  Looking at what the paint industry is pushing will only get you so far, though. Most people have some vague idea of what they want, but need a little guidance in getting there.

Think about the room

Paint will change the way a room feels. Do you want a uniform color on all of the walls, or perhaps an accent wall with a complementary color on the remaining walls? Remember that the shade of color will alter your perception... a light color can make a room feel bigger, while a darker color can feel smaller, or more cozy. Also, think about the furniture in the room. Personally, I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about complementing your furniture color--instead, just avoid obvious clashes.

To start, find some inspiration. If you want to use an accent color, think bold. Look for inspiration in a favorite print, or a piece of fabric (or a shirt). Look for something that's a bit eye popping. You're looking to liven things up, so don't be too shy. It's possible to leave the other walls white when using an accent color, but it's more fun (and complete) to look for a complementary color. If you head over to a paint store, they will have a computer that can tell you all sorts of fancy things. They will tell you what colors complement the accent color, as well as what "mood" they may project. You can also play around with a color wheel to find colors that pair well together.

Colors opposite each other on a color wheel are generally good complements.

Color schemes

You can spend ages browsing through paint chips and fandecks to find your perfect combination. Or, you can run through a bunch of color pairings other people already love. Adobe's kuler site is packed full of color themes (over 12,000!). These are generally aimed towards web and graphic designers, however I love to browse these color schemes for paint/crafting purposes. Clearly, you don't need a set of five colors to paint two rooms--but, the overall "feelings" of the themes can point you in the right direction. One theme, The site requires the latest version of Flash, but it's worth installing.

This theme, called Coffee Amaretto, could be a good starting point for an accent color and a complementary color for the remaining walls. Personally, I would select the second box from the left as the accent and the second box from the right for the other walls.

Outside the Box

Think of off the wall colors (oh god, paint puns). Here's a look at chartreuse and purple, which pair very nicely. Prior to working on this column, I had not thought of combining these colors. (To be honest, I was not even aware that chartreuse was a color. Alas, I am not a professional designer.)

Think about color. Look at outfits you wear. Think about what you like to match together. The colors you choose for your walls should complement each other, but they should also complement you, and your style.

If you want to mix and match blue, grey and brown, go for it!

Testing it out

After you've spent some time looking at paint chips, messing with color wheels, and playing around with computer software... you're going to be itching to get this whole thing over and done with. However, don't be too hasty with selecting the colors. The colors may seem to go well in your mind, in the room you imagine that has been painted and looks perfect. Test it out. Some paint stores offer large size paint chips (8"x10", for example), and many offer paint "pods," which are small samples of color. A pod generally costs around $5 and has a few ounces of paint in it. If you've asked for a custom color, you probably won't be able to purchase a sample. For most colors, though, you can purchase a quart. A quart runs around $10, and will let you put up enough to accurately see how it will react to the lighting in the room, and how the color may interact with flooring, the ceiling, and furniture. I highly encourage you to put a trial spot up on the wall before you make a several gallon commitment.