How To Pick The Right Interior Paint For You

By Author: Susan Hu
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Think ogling paint chips is all it takes to decide what you're going to pick to redo the living room in? Well think again. To avoid wrong colour regret, here's what you should know.

What's VOC?
Let's first start with the type of paint to get. I don't just mean oil or latex. Know that new paint smell that takes a few days to air out? What you're smelling are the volatile organic compounds. VOCs are the hazardous by-products of the chemical binders in most paints. As paint dries, the off-gas is released over time and can affect air quality, which can be dangerous, especially for those with chemical sensitivities.

If you find this concerning, you may be interested to in finding low or no-VOC paints. There are many biodegradable or naturally made paints. Inquire about Green Seal (a non-profit eco-friendly product certification) or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) qualified formulations, such as those made without banned or harmful chemicals (phenols, formaldehyde, heavy metals, crystalline silica, ammonia, chlorine, butyl ethers, corrosive cleaning agents, or odor masking chemicals ...
... and fragrances).

Other types are even made from natural materials such as milk paint (which has been around for a long time), which is made from products found in nature such as: milk, limestone, clay and pigments from coal, berries, roots, seeds and minerals. Using milk paint takes some extra work as it usually comes in powder form and needs to be mixed. However, they work great for porous surfaces (bare wood, plaster, masonry) and are long lasting and water-soluble. The more adventurous may wish to explore natural material finishes such as earthen plaster made from clay or lime.

Shining Attributes
As you're searching for what type of paint to purchase, keep in mind what type of sheen will work best for the rooms you wish to paint. Sheen or gloss refers to how shiny to the finish is and how easy it is to scrub or wash. Typically your friendly neighborhood home improvement or hardware store staff can help steer you to the right choice once they get a sense of what you are trying to achieve. Walls, trim, etc. - where should you go matte and where does shine work best?

Generally low-sheen/matte or flat paints work well in bedrooms and living room areas and ceilings. They also help to hide imperfections. There is also very flat paint that is especially formulated for ceilings. When it comes to high traffic areas or those rooms that need the most protection from moisture such as the kitchen or bathroom, semi-gloss or high gloss paints work best as they inhibit mildew formation, resist stains and can be easily scrubbed or washed. If looking for a sheen type that offers less shine and some durability, eggshell or satin finishes can be used in semi-moderate traffic areas.

Now that you have decided on matte, semi-gloss, or high gloss, how to pick the perfect colour from a myriad of choices? Is your goal to evoke a certain mood? Perhaps then delving into colour psychology will be of help. Or perhaps you have more direct design concerns like matching the walls to your existing furniture and decor?

Colour your world
You might have noticed that most generic builder homes or even home-staged homes are painted in neutral tones. Beige, soft whites, gray, or black can provide a monochromatic colour scheme that is safe for those with more modest tastes while appealing to a broader range of palates. They can also provide a good backdrop for more adventurous decor and furnishing as neutral tones are the easiest to decorate around.

If however, you'd like to inject a little more mood into your home perhaps it's time to try your hand at creating more vibrant settings with colour. Reds and oranges are energizing and deep; warm crimson makes for a cozy family room, burgundy begets a glam powder room, or go summery with peach or coral for a bedroom escape. Thinking more drama or a swath of sophistication? A rich shade of purple is a daring choice while softer lavender makes for a pretty boudoir. Yellows can brighten, enliven and even create the illusion of openness in hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. Blues can make for a calming spa-like feel in an ensuite bathroom, or consider dark regal shades for a cool modern living room, or sunny turquoise for a surprising pop of colour in an otherwise white kitchen. Green is thought to provide the best of blue and yellow - revitalization and cheeriness.

Oftentimes, decorators and designers pick a colour out of the fabric of existing furniture or window dressing. Perhaps there are three colors in your couch? Choose a palette by picking one of the colors and then go a shade darker and lighter (depending on how dramatic or open you'd like the room) along with some complementary tones. Drapes and bedding in the bedroom are good sources to start from. And don't be limited to just one solid colour for a room. Experiment with accent walls if you like drama but in a smaller dose. Consider the ceiling. Lighter colors make it appear higher, whereas a darker ceiling creates a cave-live or cozy effect if you need to "bring it down".

Light the scene
Don't forget lighting. How the paint chip looks, pinched in your fingers will not match exactly once it's on your wall. How the colour looks during the day and at night will differ. The type of light bulb you use can also affect how the colour appears, as well as other factors of the home (geography, sun exposure, landscaping surround). It's a good idea to paint a small test area in the room to get a better feel and view it at different times or with a variety of artificial lighting.

No matter what your choices are, if they end up to be right or wrong, the beauty of painting is that it's a relatively inexpensive home improvement and mistakes are highly easy to rectify. It's also a pretty quick process that you can do more often than a more intensive renovation to freshen your environs. With just a little know how when it comes to picking the right interior paint you can explore your inner interior decorator and beautify the home with even the strictest of budgets.
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