What faster way to reign in the holiday cheer than with a fresh coat of paint on your walls! With a wide array of brands, types and colours to choose from, selecting the right paint for a particular room can be a daunting task. The following are some guidelines to keep in mind when shopping for paint.
(Consider the furniture and theme when deciding the colour of your wall. Image courtesy of thinkstock.)
Go water-based
Oil-based paints take a long time to dry and their strong odour can be quite overpowering for children and those with sensitive noses. Environmentally conscious folks might want to steer clear because the high volatile organic compounds (VOCs) make oil-based paints bad for the environment – not to mention your health.
In contrast, water-based paint products such as emulsions and acrylics dry much faster, stink less and are environmentally friendly. Brushes are also much easier to clean with this type of paint finish. If you plan to paint more than one type of surface, purchasing water-based acrylics – which can be used on virtually any surface – can translate to significant savings.
Matte vs satin
Matte finishes are non-reflective, so they are often used to cover up uneven surfaces. Satin finishes, on the other hand, are extremely washable, so they are great for the living room, children’s playroom and other rooms that require a ton of cleaning. Satin finishes have a slight sheen.
Consider the theme
Choosing a colour that reflects your tastes and personality is fun. However, instead of just picking out whatever colour tickles your fancy, do take time to consider the overall theme of your home. Is your furniture contemporary, vintage or a bit of both?
Most Singaporean homes have furniture that reflects the Asian heritage. While it is perfectly fine to choose a paint colour that blends with the cultural theme of your furniture – such as white to match hanging calligraphy paintings – you can also select a colour that will make your furniture stand out (lime green, for instance). It all depends on what you want the theme to be.
Decide on the mood
Another important factor to consider when settling on a colour is the mood you want to create. Typically bedrooms are painted in soft, pastel colours to give off a relaxed and soothing vibe, while living rooms are bright and sunny.
These are, however, not hard and fast rules; for instance, bedrooms with walls in darker colours like chocolate and maroon look cosy. Children’s bedrooms can also get away with bright, fun shades.
Play with multiple colours
Using two colours – be it complimentary or contrasting –can make a room look more special. If you are feeling gutsy, turn trims (the borders that surround your windows and doors) into a conservation starter by using a colour that contrasts that of your wall. If your wall is dark red, a white trim can help make the room look less daunting. Conversely, a black trim can look fantastic when contrasted with a beige wall.
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Related Categories: Interior Design, Furnishing, Gardening, Useful Tips and Tricks
Tags: colours, DIY, how to choose paint colours, how to choose the right type of paint, how to match paint with furniture, interior design, interior design tips, mood, painting, painting tips, theme
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