During your home search have you ever wondered what a homeowner was thinking with their paint color choice? The good news is that updating paint in a home is one of the least expensive changes you can make. Not only is it an affordable upgrade, but it can make a big difference in how the room looks and feels.

Impact of Color

Color makes a big impact on mood, digestion, emotions and behavior. The paint color influences how a room feels. It can make the room feel bigger and brighter or more cozy and comfortable. Some studies suggest that oranges and yellows are good for kitchens because yellow aids in digestion and orange is associated with cheerfulness. If you have a home office, homeschool or craft room, you may want to consider a shade of blue to increase productivity. Blues are also great for living areas and bedrooms as they can inspire a sense of calm. Here is a helpful article about the psychology of color.

Color Trends

Right now, one of the biggest paint color trends is griege, a combination of grey and beige. Depending on the other elements in the room, you may want to steer more toward a grey undertone or toward a tan undertone. If you’re looking for some color, you could go with a very bright and bold color like teal, blue or green. Warm-toned pastels tend to work well if you are looking for a more subdued color trend.

How to Choose the Right Paint Color

There are many ways to determine your preferred color pallet. Some paint manufacturers have apps that allow you to snap a picture of the room and “paint” it digitally with one of their colors. If you’d like a low-tech approach, you could visit a local paint store where you can choose samples for free, or if you really don’t know what color you’re interested in, rent or borrow one of their color books with all of their options.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few colors you think you like, purchase a quart (not the sample size) and a few pieces of white poster board. Sample sizes don’t always have enough pigment to give you a good representation of what the color will look like. Then, paint at least half of the poster board. Once it’s dry, you’ll not only see how the color looks against white (the color of most baseboards) but also how much color is in the paint. Move the poster board around the rooms you’re considering painting. You’ll be able to see it against different walls and in different types of light better than if you were to paint one swatch on the wall.

If you’re still looking for the perfect home, Jason Duraj and his team at Future Home Realty can help. Once you find it, we can connect you with local painters or help you decide how to move forward so you can make sure your new home matches the feel you have in mind. Call us today at (813) 992-7771 to start your home search.