Paint perfect

Try a new paint color out before committing it to the whole room
2007-09-25
ARAcontent
Try a new paint color out before commiting it to the whole room.
As we head into the dark part of the year, paint is a perfect way to add some color and spice to your life. To get started, flip through home decorating magazines to find inspiration. Tear out pages that catch your eye. Or take a stroll through your home and find a few favorite accessories. Eventually, you’ll start to notice a pattern of your likes and dislikes, making it easier to sort through your ideas to find the perfect paint color.

But don’t choose a color just because you like it. It’s important to consider what the color says about you. Do you want it to be calming and relaxing? Or do you want it to be energetic and fun? Check the guide below for advice.

• Red has the greatest emotional impact and is most closely associated with passion, romance and energy. Because it’s also known to stimulate appetite and conversation, this color might be best for the kitchen or dining room.

• Orange,when paired with its complementary color, blue, can have a dramatic effect on a room. It is exuberant and active — a perfect choice for a playroom.

• Brown is associated with taste and sophistication. It is seen as confident, yet calming. Try it in a family or living room where guests can relax and unwind.

• Green is the ideal color for an office space. It’s been said to promote concentration — perfect for picking up a good book or burning the midnight oil.

• Yellow should be used in rooms where little or no natural light has access. If you paint the den or basement walls, it can give the appearance of natural light and brighten up the living space. But when choosing the shade, keep in mind that bolder, deeper yellows can be overpowering.

• Blue is great for bedrooms because you don’t want a color like yellow or red that screams. Instead, stick with a cooler tone like a soft blue or gray that will give your room a calm, relaxing feel.

• Neutral shades like white, gray and black are best when you want low-intensity. If you already have bright colors or heavy-patterned furniture in the room, neutrals are a great way to make them stand out.

• Purples have a powerful connection with our romantic, sensual and introspective sides. So consider this hue when you’re deciding a color for the bedroom, but use a bluer purple to keep it more restful. Using a redder purple can give it a more energetic feel, which might make it harder to fall asleep.