Paint Color Design Choices

Feeling overwhelmed by paint color choices?

Don't be Afraid of Color!

By Jeanette Joy Fisher

If you're looking to step out of your interior design comfort zone, there's one way to do it painlessly and easily--try some of the hot new paint colors available at your local paint store.

If you've just moved into a new home, try adding some dynamic splashes of color to those drab, neutral walls--something that reflects your individual personality. If you've already lived in your home for a while, revitalize your walls by adding touches of bold colors.

Typical new home white walls repainted in sunny yellow.

You'll find that paint companies have made it much easier for you to add drama to your interior walls. They've created better paint, with less odor and less spatter problems, and they're eager to offer advice on how to spice up your interior walls.

If you find yourself somewhat intimidated by the old color wheel, which has traditionally told designers what colors go with what other colors, perhaps you'd do better just to think in terms of color families. You can also begin to take notice of particular color combinations that catch your eye as you travel about your daily routine. Then, once you see something you like, talk to your local paint store about recreating that look in your own home.

Paint Color Design Trends

According to paint and design experts, the blue-and-white spa-inspired color trend that dominated many recent decorating schemes has waned, and many people now turn to other pastels, especially in bedrooms and baths, where soft pinks, pale yellows, and misty lavenders have been growing in popularity.

As for specific colors, a yellowy-green color from Dutch Boy called Peaceful Pines has become popular, according to its manufacturer. Glidden has seen their Golden Kiwi on the increase, which spices up neutral and dark hues. Pratt and Lambert has a color that’s somewhere between aqua and teal blue that they call Boucle that’s showing signs of popularity, as well.

A new color that is hot for Pittsburgh Paints is called Cathedral Glass, which is described as being a very organic color, sort of a blending of grass and sky. Behr also has seen an increase in the use of a warm, natural-looking green color they call Mother Earth. Duron's bold orange-red color called Ablaze is a hot-seller at the moment, as is Sherwin-Williams’ intense bluish green called Jargon Jade. Finally, Benjamin Moore has seen their purple-based color Queen’s Wreath becoming increasingly popular.

Regardless of what new colors you choose, spring is a great time to work on your home's interior painting scheme. You'll be amazed at what a simple thing like changing the color of your walls can do to brighten your spirits and add a little more zest to your life.

Paint Color Warnings for Your Home Design

If you've been waiting for warmer weather, don't be tempted by hot colors. Use a balance of cool and warm colors. Otherwise, come summer, you may feel too hot in your warm-colored rooms.

Conversely, if you feel too hot in your rooms part of the year, add warm accessories during cool months and use cool wall paint colors in your design plan.

Interior Design Psychology Articles