Interior Wall Colors Matter!

Brighten Up Your Home to Help Avoid the Wintertime Blues

Are you dreading the winter ahead? Here in the Memphis area, those cooler months chase you indoors around November and don’t start warming up again until March. If the prospect of spending time indoors — and particularly in your home — make you want to run away, you know you’re facing a very long four months!

The Science Behind Color

Even though you may be a creature of habit, your environment may be bringing you down. Are there rooms in your home you avoid because you don’t feel happy or calm in them? Take a step back and think about why. More likely than not, this is due to the house paint colors and decor.

Studies have shown that the colors you surround yourself with can actually alter your moods. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on what your emotional response is to a given color.

Choosing the Right House Paint Color for You

Are you unsure just what colors might be right for you? Here are a few tips to help you decide what colors you should be considering for your home.

• Find your bliss. Look through magazines and catalogs or on sites such as Pinterest to find rooms that exude the feeling you’re going for. For instance, if you find a bedroom that makes you think, “I could spend the entire weekend in there!”, check out the paint colors and furnishings. This can be a great place to start.
• Paint to complement your furnishings. Do you love your furniture? Are you planning on keeping it for the next year or so? Then choose paint colors that will work well with your furnishings. A room with paint and furnishings that work synergistically can change your entire attitude towards the space.
• Neutrals are your friends. You don’t have to go boring when you choose neutral paint colors for your walls. Even colors such as greens or golds can be used as neutrals if they’re carefully chosen. These house paint colors can bring life into the room without overwhelming it and making the walls the focal point.
• Have your painting company paint a swatch. Different lighting throughout the day can change the entire “feel” of a paint color. For instance, what may appear rosy in the morning sun can become oppressive as the light in the room wanes. Choose a few colors and either have them painted directly on your walls or ask that they can be painted onto sample boards. Place them in different points in the room to better see how they will look throughout the day.

Finishing Touch

Once you’ve chosen your house paint color, you’ll need to consider the finish. “Finish” refers to the surface sheen of the paint. This can impact the way you perceive the colors and “vibe” of a room, as well.

Take, for instance, your bedroom. You probably don’t want it to feel edgy and overly bright. In this case, a paint in an eggshell or satin might be the best bet. On the other hand, you may want your kitchen to feel vibrant and lively — a high-gloss house paint will reflect more light and making the room appear brighter.

Flat, matte house paints are best for low-traffic areas or anywhere you don’t want a lot of extra light reflecting around. For instance, bedrooms or home offices are good choices for flat or eggshell finishes. On the other side of the spectrum, you may want to choose a satin or semi-gloss for bathrooms or kitchens, as these house paints tend to wear better and can be easily cleaned.

Brighter Days Ahead

One of the most important things to consider when having your home painted is how it will serve you in the days to come. Just because grey is trendy or the neighbors have fuschia walls doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. It’s important that you choose colors you know will elicit the feelings and “vibe” you wish to have in your different rooms.

If you’re not sure where to start, consider calling Riggins Painting for a consultation. A team of experts can help you decide on the house paint colors that will make you want to spend time indoors basking in the beauty of your winter nest!