Does Paint Transform a Space?

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Does paint transform a space?  I would say absolutely “YES!”  Paint color can make a difference in any space.  Paint is one of the easiest, least expensive ways to transform any area within your home and it’s user-friendly.  Anyone can choose a color, take it home, paint a sample, and decide if this is their color.  Once you pick your color you can get underway with your space transformation.

Highlighting Architectural Features

Paint will highlight architectural features within any space.  If you have a recessed ceiling, crown molding, or a ceiling medallion they should be accentuated.  Paint adds a dimension that will draw your eyes towards these features.  When everything is one color our eyes tend to see everything as flat, a sort of 2D effect.  With two different colors the contrast allows our eyes to notice the special characteristics of that space.  The contrasting color can be light or dark, painted on the wall or on the item you want highlighted.

Accentuating the special features of a space can create a mood or feeling within that room.  If there is beautiful trim and crown molding it gives the room a warmer more cozy feeling.  If you’re looking for a more modern, clean look then you wouldn’t want to highlight the trim.  Most modern looks are devoid of trim or the trim is the same color as the wall creating more of “blank canvas.”  The photo below is an excellent illustration of this concept.  The windows have trim molding around them, but they are painted the same white color as the wall to make them “disappear.”

In contrast the photo of my living room highlights the recessed ceiling  and walls with a warm tan color.  Notice how we used color to highlight the architectural feature of this room, the recessed ceiling.  Walls and recessed ceiling are the warm tan while the main ceiling is bright white and all trim around windows, doors, and the crown molding is a warm cream color.  Using color to contrast and highlight specific elements within a room can make a huge difference.

Take a look at the same room without the contrasting paint colors.  The room was entirely white with nothing to draw attention to the beautiful recessed ceiling. In fact the recessed ceiling seemed to vanish before.  A friend that had seen the house in the beginning asked if we had added the recess to the ceiling.  That is how obscure the ceiling was before accenting it.  Adding color transformed the space making it feel warmer and more intimate which I love! Adding trim to the windows and ceiling made a huge difference too, but that’s another post.   🙂

Choosing the Right Paint Color

Now that you’re all excited, ready to paint something you have to make a color choice.  The dreaded picking of a color.  Paint colors frighten so man people and I’m not sure why.  Paint is easily changed if you don’t like the color or the feeling that it brings to your space.  Today every paint manufacturer out there has designed color schemes to aid you with making your choice.  I pick colors based on the feeling I am trying to achieve in the space, the amount of natural light, and what I just like in general.  I like warm colors that you see outside during the fall of the year.  I love all the warm colors like golds,reds, and warm whites.  Don’t get me wrong I enjoy looking at homes that are more contemporary and modern with clean lines and cool colors, but I don’t want them in my home.  It’s really personal preference so you pick what you like.  🙂

An important thing to remember when choosing a color palette is the existing colors within adjoining spaces.  If the spaces are more open where you can see from one room to the next you want to be sure that the colors are cohesive.  Every space needs to feel connected to the adjoining one or it will fee uncomfortable.  A home should be comfortable for you and your family.  This photo gives you an idea of what I mean about rooms having a “connection” or a flow to them.

Another point to remember when choosing a color is the current colors of your furniture, accent pieces, curtains, etc.  Unless you’re planning on buying all new items be sure that your new paint color is compatible with those items.  In most instances I believe people gravitate towards the same basic color families because we all have our personal preferences.  Also the sheen of a paint color can make a tremendous difference in the color itself.  If you are purchasing paint samples to paint on your walls, try to buy the sheen that you plan to use and paint swatches on every wall within the space if possible.  Lighting at different times during the day will change the look of the color so it is important to give yourself time to evaluate the colors before making your final decision.  I prefer to buy semi-gloss or gloss paint because it cleans easier and holds up better to our large active family.  A word of caution, the higher the sheen of the paint the more visible the imperfections on a wall.  Also, if you haven’t painted your ceiling in a while I suggest painting it before you paint your walls or it may seem dingy.

By now I think you can tell that I love paint and how it can be used within a space.  After all the information presented about paint let’s summarize.

• An excellent tool for highlighting architectural features.
• It’s user-friendly and easily changed if you decide you don’t like the color.
• Paint can set an overall “mood” or “feeling” for a space.
• When choosing colors, pick what you like.
• Remember to be aware of the color of any adjoining areas to the space you are painting.  Cohesive, Compatible, Cohabiting (that’s all the C words I could think of…lol).
• Don’t forget the color palette of your existing furniture and accessories.
• The higher the sheen the more visible the imperfections, however the higher the sheen the more durable.  (I recommend high gloss for all trim.)
• Paint your ceiling before the walls.
• Take your time, paint swatches on every wall in your space and view them at different times during the day.
• Pick the color that you love!

Paint is a versatile, fantastic tool for creating a personalized space.  Painting a room makes it feel fresh, new, and clean.  It can set a mood for the space making it cheerful, cozy, or fashionable.  Color sets the tone and is the backdrop for your room’s decor.  So get moving, head to your local home improvement store and pick up some brochures with all those beautiful color palettes.  Sit in the space you’re wanting to revitalize and browse through your choices.  Pick the color that speaks to you, buy a sample, and start painting those swatches on every wall.  Before you know it you will have a room that you love!   🙂

Till Next Time,

Romona