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Find Your Inspiration

Get Inspiration and Ideas for Your Next Project

Choose the Right Paint Colors

Are you browsing for inspiration for your living room or are you looking for paint ideas for a bedroom? Or is it a bold color you want to try? Whatever room you are working on, find your inspiration and color ideas for your paint project here. Probably, the hardest part of any home improvement project is getting started. Below are ideas on how to begin.

First of all, understand your style. Before being bogged down with style names and types look at magazines, walk model homes, and of course browse websites on the internet for inspiration. Almost certainly you will collect ideas you like. Start a physical notebook. Similarly, a digital collection on Pinterest will work as well. Start to notice a pattern in the color, decorating styles, and furniture you like. Keep photos of styles and colors you do not like. Certainly, this will be a time-saver, especially if you choose to work with an interior designer.

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Find Your Style

One of the best websites to use for inspiration is Houzz. Houzz is a collection of rooms designed by professional designers. View their rooms, hire professionals or shop their collection of products. The filters make it easy to find your style, budget, and color preference.

A simple search of a medium-sized, contemporary master bedroom in green with carpet turned up 58 photos. Enough photos to find your likes, yet a reasonable amount to look through without being overwhelming. Consequently, once you compile the pictures that you like, your style and taste will quickly become evident.

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Most Popular Styles

So, what does it mean when you are asked about your style? The number of style types evolves as more and more types are added to the list. Many styles are rooted in interior design, but the world of design evolves as we change. The design reflects society and the needs of individuals. A simple search of interior design styles resulted in a multitude of style names. Paint ideas and colors are often tied to the design style.  Or sometimes it is tied to the room that you are painting.  A bathroom or a kitchen might use different colors. Below is a highlight of the more popular styles. Is there one that is right for you?

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Transitional

Combines traditional and contemporary design therefore creating soft lines without the fuss of traditional styling. Also, color palettes use neutral paint colors with color added with accessories.

Photo Credit: houzz.com

Contemporary

Black and white are paired with a bold accent color maybe on one wall or in a rug. Soft and rounded lines are found in the furniture. Furthermore, contemporary design is always evolving based on current trends.

Photo Credit: residencestyle.com

Modern

Rooted in the early to mid-1900’s. A simple color palette with natural and neutrals with clean, crisp lines. This Mid-Century Modern living room showcases a 1950’s inspired design.

Photo Credit: modsy.com

Traditional

Inspired by the 18th and 19th century it encompasses classic details, sumptuous furnishings and an abundance of accessories. For that reason, red, brown, greens and warm jewel tones are the paint colors of choice.

Photo Credit: decoraid.com

Defining Styles

Defining styles reflect current trends therefore they may not work for everyone and every style. But they do add fun to a room.

Just do you! Stick with what you like!

Bohemian
Bright colors and bold hues of purples, pinks, greens, and oranges. Hence, there are very few rules.

Shabby Chic
Leans towards the feminine with pastels and distressed items.

Farmhouse
Modern comforts combined with a warm and cozy atmosphere. Exposed beams, barn doors, and vintage furniture combined for a country style. Warm yellows are perfect.

Rustic
Bring the outside in, with natural materials, like wood and stone. Also, rustic tends to have a rougher essence.

Paint Colors for Inspiration

As a refresher, there are 3 primary colors, red, blue & yellow. And then we add in the secondary colors of green, orange & purple. And then the tertiary colors of yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green, and yellow-green). These twelve colors make up the Color Wheel. Using the color wheel provides great guidance and inspiration to find paint ideas. Do you wonder why sometimes a color looks brighter or darker, it is based on the color formula for that color. There are a few terms that make for an easier understanding of colors.

Tint is a hue in which white is added

Shade is a hue in which black is added

Tone is when black and white are added

Color Schemes

There are three basic color schemes that drive color choice; monochromatic, analogous, and complementary.  A color wheel shows how these colors work together.

Monochromatic – Comprised of different variations of the same color. Because the same color is used the easiest way to find paint ideas is to use colors on the same stripe card. The colors move from light to dark and the color can be layered in through fabrics, paint, and accessories.

Analogous – These are three colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. A primary or secondary color is used as the dominant color and a secondary or tertiary color would be the supporting color and the third color which is the mix of the first two becomes the accent color. Yellow, Yellow, Green-Yellow, and Green are three colors next to each other, Yellow would be primary, green would be secondary, and green-yellow in the mix of the two.

Complimentary – Two colors opposite each other on the color wheel. Yellow and purple are one of my favorite combinations.

The Perfect Color

Whichever color scheme you chose or wherever your inspiration comes from, choose the right color with SureSwatch. Find your final 3 – 5 paint colors, paint a SureSwatch, and try it on the wall. Eliminate the colors you do not like so you can find the color you do like.

SureSwatch is a paintable clear film used to create removable paint swatches to CONFIRM or REJECT your paint colors.

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SureSwatch…Saving You From Bad Color Decisions!

Want more inspiration for painting with SureSwatch Paint Swatches? Check out our painting tips for ideas and inspiration!

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