With the global brand Pantone announcing the Color of the Year, it seems like an appropriate moment to brush up on techniques to paint your home before sale.
Paint is one of the fastest and most effective ways to give your home a facelift before it goes on the market.
It’s one of the cheapest strategies, too. And if you prepare the walls and ceilings properly, you’ll also repair any cracks or damage that has occurred over the years.
While it is wise to be risk-averse on color when prepping for the market, it is also possible to use Pantone shades to give a pop of color to a neutral home.
“Daring designers can harness the full power of the Color of the Year as a velvet couch or lacquered wall,” Pantone brand marketers suggest. “As a sculptural Murano glass lighting fixture, or striking ikebana floral arrangement punctuating an all-neutral dining room, or a glowing abstract canvas, Viva Magenta packs a lot of drama in a small dose.”
If you do select a Pantone color, you need to understand how colors work together, or you could end up with a technicolored mess. And you should also appreciate that only some buyers are going to share your taste in color.
Conversely, using a neutral everywhere can make your home feel vanilla and boring. So the answer, ultimately, is your judgment.
Follow these painting pointers to help you complete a five-star job.
Decorating principle
Understanding the impact of color on interior design is critical. Here’s the so-called 60/30/10 rule: 60% of color comes from the walls; 30% from furnishings; 10% from art and accessories.
Play it safe
If you’re in the neutrals camp, the decorating principle suggests injecting color into a room with bright cushions, floor rugs, throw rugs and artwork.
Don’t rush
Test pots of paints are cheap and easy to use. So select a variety of colors, and paint a sizable area with each to reveal your favorite.
Where to start
To avoid a multi-colored disaster, start with a shade you love. Clear an ample space on the wall and test it. If it feels too intense, get another test pot at half-strength.
Room size
Large rooms handle bold colors better than small ones. A color that overpowers a room will make it feel smaller.
Prime results
If painting over a dark color with a neutral tone, you’ll use less paint and complete the job faster by using a primer. It avoids show-through.
Just right
A thin coat of paint leaves a patchy finish with a significant risk that the previous color will show-through. But also avoid over-painting as this will cause drips or for paint to gather in waves. If your roller skids across the walls it’s because it’s overloaded. You’re being too liberal.