Everyone knows that paint is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to transform a room. What’s not so easy? Choosing the color.
With so many colors to choose from—and a seemingly endless number of subtle variations from a myriad of paint companies—making a decision can “feel overwhelming,” says Brigette Romanek, an interior designer based in Los Angeles.
“But if you do it right,” she said, “that little thing you did with that gallon of paint will completely change the room.”
Ms. Romanek – who has a new book called “Livable Luxe,” with a foreword by her client Gwyneth Paltrow, due out in October – knows that even small color shifts can make a big difference. She often prefers bold, saturated colors, but even when she uses subdued neutrals, she leaves nothing to chance.
In her own home she used no less than 16 shades of white to create the desired atmosphere in different rooms.
“Colors affect your mood and mental health,” said Ms. Romanek. “So choosing the right color is just as important as choosing the right sofa.”
How is she doing? Mrs. Romanek was updating her first bedroom, so we asked if we could come along.
Rate the room
Start by asking some questions, Ms. Romanek suggested: “What is the feeling I want in this room? What do I want to do in this room?
Your answers should help determine your choice of color. Deep green or gray hues can work well in statement spaces like lounges and powder rooms, while refreshing blues and pinks can be ideal for vibrant spaces like kitchens and dining rooms. For a bedroom, soothing off-white and beige may work best. But the choice is yours.
Mrs. Romanek decided to paint her bedroom, which was previously white, with a warm shade of brown. “I want to make it a space that’s just cozier,” she said. “It has a kind of hollow energy and vibe to it, so when you come in I want it to feel more layered, like a cocoon. The paint color will do that for us.”
Discover your options
Once you have a general idea of the color you want, start collecting paint chips and decks. Major paint companies such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams offer a breathtaking array of options that allow you to find just about any shade. Other companies, such as Farrow & Ball, Background, and Clare, offer edited collections that can make the process a little less overwhelming.
After collecting a collection of paint chips, narrow the field down to a handful of favorites.
Stick up your chips
Stick the chips of the main contenders on the wall so you can see them in place.
Once you’ve picked out the fabrics, rugs, and accessories you want to use in the room, stick to the paint chips, Ms. Romanek suggested, so you can see how the colors work together in the space.
Paint large samples
Choose two or three favorites from the paint chips and buy small cans of paint to sample.
“I like hanging really big monsters on the wall,” said Ms. Romanek, each about four feet by four feet.
“I require painters to apply the primer and apply the correct two to three coats of paint to the sample so that I can really get a sense of what the color is going to be,” she said. “I don’t want to have to guess.”
This step is also an opportunity to assess the finish. Ms. Romanek often uses a matte sheen in adult bedrooms, a wipe-down eggshell finish in children’s rooms, and high-gloss paint on eye-catching moldings. But the glossier the finish, the more imperfections will show, she noted, so it’s important to see a sample right where you plan to use it.
What about those big peel-and-stick sheets from companies like Samplize – is that a good way to save time?
“They are helpful and can make the process easier. But having said that, I prefer the old-fashioned way of hanging the monsters on the wall,” she said. “This way I am sure that I will love the result.”
Choose your favourite
Study the samples on the wall at different times of the day, in natural and artificial light.
“You have to live with them for a few days,” Ms. Romanek said. “You have to see them in different kinds of light.”
For example, late afternoon sunlight makes colors appear warmer than morning light. And some colors, such as shades of gray, are notoriously tricky and can end up looking blue, purple, or green.
But after all that work, choosing the winner should be easy.
“If you take the time to look at all these things, you’ll come to a decision that you’ll probably live with for years to come,” said Ms. Romanek, who ended up with Clare’s Turbinado for her bedroom.
Finish the job
It’s finally time to buy the paint and get started. If you’re going to paint the walls yourself, keep it tidy and allow plenty of drying time between coats (check the guidelines on the can), as you probably won’t be painting again for a while.
Then slide in the furniture and accessories and relax.
“Color is important,” said Ms. Romanek. By taking your time with the selection, she added, “you can actually just exhale and know it’s right.”
For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here.