Give the color wheel a whirl and brighten your home

Consumer Reports latest interior paints review can tell you which products deliver the best results. And while manufacturers boast about “handpicked hues” and “proprietary formulas,” our analysis of color fan decks from Behr, Benjamin Moore, Martha Stewart and others found that you can get virtually any color in the brand of your choice. But you still have to pick your palette.

What is it about color that confounds so many otherwise sure-minded consumers? Maybe it’s the notion that color can directly affect mood. “Paint color is so powerful that it can influence our state of mind, and even our physiology,” says Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute. That’s a reassuring thought … if you choose wisely. Take orange—the warm tone imparts energy and determination, desirable vibes in, say, a breakfast nook, but ones that could impede relaxation in a bedroom. (Color Examples)

Here are some some room-by-room recommendations. Ultimately, personal preference is what matters most, even if it means a tangerine-toned master bedroom. But if you’re short on inspiration, use these tips to find your way around the color wheel.

Kitchens: Chartreuse
This light, airy hue will perk things up and pairs well with stainless appliances and white cabinets, a popular look in contemporary kitchens. Plus its minty tone jibes with today’s confectionery craze.
Examples: Benjamin Moore’s Grape Green, Glidden’s Lime Sorbet, and Martha Stewart’s Lemon Ice.

Bathrooms: Coral
Evoking the beach and ocean, coral is a fresh take on the aquatic blues that have been standard in bathrooms.
Examples: Behr’s Coral Cream, Martha Stewart’s Pink Sea, and Glidden’s Pink Ballet Slipper.

Bedrooms: Taupe-Gray
Warm, relaxing colors like a neutral midtone gray help create a sanctuary effect, especially against crisp white trim.
Examples: Glidden’s Wood Smoke, Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Chocolate, and Valspar’s Stone Manor.

Family Rooms: Denim Blue
Blue is migrating throughout the home, including to family rooms, where this deep denim tone is meant to convey a warm, wearable feeling.
Examples: Martha Stewart’s Thistle Blue, Behr’s Almost Famous, and Glidden’s Barely Jade.

Kids’ Rooms: Fuschia
Pink is nothing new in a girl’s room, but this cheerful color takes its cue from Japanese animation. Use it on the whole wall or in geometric accent patterns.
Example: Behr’s Pinkelicious, Glidden’s Blooming Fuchsia and Benjamin Moore’s Royal Flush.

Dining Room: Dark Gothic
Small spaces are an opportunity to try a bold, Gothic hue, such as a sophisticated sepia. For added sparkle, consider a metallic glaze.
Examples: Valspar’s Roasted Sepia, Behr’s Not So Innocent, and Martha Stewart’s Francesca.

Remember that semigloss and, to some extent, low-luster finishes reflect light, while flat finishes absorb it. As a result, the same color could appear brighter in glossy finishes, an effect that intensifies over large areas. When in doubt, it’s better to choose a shade that’s too light than one that’s too dark. And, as always, Concepts In Color will easily help you make the right decision.

For More Info on Color and Painting your home Contact Concepts In Color Here.

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