Whether you’re about to sell your home or renovate, there are few better low-budget ways to add some sparkle than a fresh coat of paint.
Many agents recommend homeowners break out the brushes before putting their property on the market because a good paint job hides the bumps and scratches that walls endure over the years.
Choosing the right color can be intimidating. If you’re selling, opt for soft whites and creams throughout the home. These tones help make rooms feel bigger, whereas rich and bright colors will dominate and shrink a space.
A vanilla-style approach also avoids potential objections from prospective buyers who might not like your taste in color schemes. Incredibly, I’ve seen buyers reject perfect homes because they didn’t like the shade in a room.
So, keep your paint colors inoffensive when selling.
Of course, if you’ve just bought your home or you’re renovating, then you can be a little more expressive. If you struggle with color, an interior designer will be a huge help.
Here are some tips for selecting colors.
- Light it up – If you plan to change your home’s lighting design, do this before you paint. That way, you’ll have a more accurate assessment of how each candidate color will impact your home.
- Paint with purpose – If you’re testing colors for a wall, then paint on the wall. Don’t use blank boards and hold them against the wall. (Many people do). The texture of the wall and boards will be different. The saturation of the paint into the surface affects the subsequent impression of color.
- Test different areas – If you’re looking to use the same color throughout the home or in multiple rooms, don’t restrict yourself to testing one wall. Try candidate colors in different areas.
- Be brave – If you’re going to paint a wall, then it doesn’t matter how many colors you test on it. Eventually, you’ll paint over them anyway. Paint a minimum of one square foot for each color. The larger the area, the better.
- Keep colors together – Paint the candidate colors close together on the wall as this will give you a more accurate impression of their impact. Between the colors, leave a small gap to place a piece of white paper between them. The white in the paper acts to balance the impression of each color accurately. It’s an optical illusion and a helpful trick.
- Lay it on thick – Apply two coats even when testing. If you’re going to paint new drywall or gyprock sheeting, use an undercoat or primer.
Undercoat tip – If you’re in love with bright colors or plan a feature wall, you’ll get the best result on all surfaces by applying a primer or undercoat.