Choosing interior wall paint involves considering colour, finish, and how light affects your choices.
Selecting the right paint for your interior walls can transform a room's atmosphere. It's about balancing aesthetics with practicality.
Key Factors When Choosing Interior Wall Paint
Here are the essential elements to consider:
1. Select the Right Colour
The colour of your walls significantly impacts the mood and perceived size of a room.
- Consider the room's purpose: Relaxing colours for bedrooms, stimulating for creative spaces, neutral for versatile areas.
- Think about the light: Rooms with lots of natural light can handle deeper or brighter colours. Rooms with less light often benefit from lighter shades to maximize brightness.
- Coordinate with existing decor: Match or complement your furniture, flooring, and artwork.
- Understand Colour Psychology: Warm colours (reds, oranges) can feel energizing, while cool colours (blues, greens) can feel calming.
2. Choose the Right Finish (Sheen)
Paint finish, or sheen, affects durability, cleanability, and appearance. Higher sheen means more shine and durability.
| Finish | Sheen Level | Durability & Cleanability | Best Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat/Matte | Very Low | Low | Low-traffic areas, ceilings, hides imperfections |
| Eggshell/Satin | Low to Medium | Medium | Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms |
| Semi-Gloss | Medium to High | High | Kitchens, bathrooms, trim, doors |
| High-Gloss | Very High | Highest | Trim, doors, furniture, accent areas |
3. Test Paint Colours Properly
This is a crucial step that many people skip. Buy tester paints in a few colours/shades and paint a large area on a few different walls and see how the light hits it at different times if the day. By doing so, you can get a best interior wall paint ideas for your home that will look good for the room at all-times of the day.
- Paint large swatches: Don't just use small chips. Paint an area at least 1-2 feet square.
- Test on multiple walls: Colours look different on walls receiving varying amounts of light.
- Observe throughout the day: See how the colour appears in morning light, afternoon sun, artificial light, and evening.
- Live with the swatches: Leave them up for a couple of days before making a decision.
4. Consider Paint Quality
Higher quality paints typically offer better coverage, durability, and a smoother finish, often saving you time and effort in the long run.
5. Prepare the Walls
Ensure walls are clean, smooth, and primed before painting for the best results. This affects how the colour looks and how well the paint adheres.
By carefully considering colour, finish, and the crucial step of testing potential shades in different lighting conditions, you can confidently choose interior wall paint that enhances your home.
