Can't-miss color choices to consider
Kitchen and bathroom remodels are costly and disruptive. New furniture and fresh flooring aren't cheap, either. So how can a budget-minded homeowner most economically and efficiently upgrade their interiors?
Color yourself informed: The easy answer is repainting, a DIY project that can instantly modernize a space and create aesthetic appeal without breaking the bank.
If it's been a while since you've pulled out the brush and roller, chances are one or more of your rooms is overdue for a glossy, satin, eggshell or flat facelift.
"Walls and ceilings get dinged up, dented, handprints, food stains and candle smoke stains. Recoating these areas every few years keeps your home looking and smelling fresh and clean," says Geoff Sharp, owner and founder of Columbus-headquartered Sharper Impressions Painting. "Plus, if you have an outdated color on your walls, it can detract from the look and feel of that space. For a reasonable cost, you can add some excitement and new color to your interior simply by repainting."
Kate Diaz, an interior designer and co-owner of Swankyden.com, says paint colors can fade over time due to light exposure.
"If your paint colors stop reflecting light correctly, it can create all sorts of problems with your home's interior. This is because the color you see in an environment depends on both the lighting and how well that paint reflects the light in the area," she says. "As paint ages, it typically becomes less absorbent and more reflective, which can cause it to look lighter or darker than what you originally intended."
Andre Kazimierski, CEO of Improovy in Chicago, says it's wise to consider repainting every five to seven years.
"It's best to paint during low humidity months so that the paint dries better. Winter and spring are typically going to be the recommended times to paint interior surfaces," he says.
All well and good, but what are the most desirable hues for specific rooms today? While every expert has his or her own proclivities and preferences, most can agree that choosing a color that won't go out of style anytime soon and which is universally appreciated is smart.
"Pure White by Sherwin-Williams is a good choice for the kitchen, as white will always be in style because it helps brighten the space and make it appear larger," Kazimierski says.
Sharp, on the other hand, likes Blonde Beauty by PPG Paints, a pastel yellow that's ideal for a modern family kitchen or country-style kitchen.
"Another good kitchen paint choice would be something in the neutral gray family, like taupe or pale gray," advises Kim Abrams, a home remodeler and CEO of Abrams Roofing in Louisville, Kentucky.
When it comes to the living room, Diaz is a fan of Benjamin Moore's Watershed, "which changes, depending on lighting conditions, from green to grayish-blue to purple to lavender, with varying intensity and tone. The result is often described as calming and soothing but with an ever-so-slight pop," she says.
Considering that living rooms are among the largest areas of the home, often with higher ceilings, it's important to pick a tone that won't become antiquated anytime soon, "which is why I like Stonehenge Greige from PPG Paints," Sharp says.
A similar hue could equally complement a great/family room, or perhaps an icy blue hue would be even better, adds Abrams.
"I like Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams in the family room, a cool-toned neutral color that is slightly darker than other off-whites and which provides great dimension while not being too overwhelming," Kazimierski says.
Behr's Swiss Coffee, a muted tan, is Kazimierski's top choice for the master bedroom. "You don't want to be distracted by a loud color in the place where you sleep, so neutral shades like this, with warm undertones, are always a solid choice," he says.
In the bathroom, consider Benjamin Moore's Sea Salt, a blend of white, beige and gray "that provides a great way to infuse a spalike element into your bath without going overboard on the color palette," Diaz says.
Sherwin-Williams has its own Sea Salt-named paint - only this shade is more greenish-gray - which Kazimierski calls ideal for the bathroom "to keep the space bright while also exuding calmness."
To help narrow down your paint choices, visit a home improvement or paint specialty store and look closely at color wheels, swatches and samples.
"You should paint samples onto your wall to see what color looks best in different lighting conditions before making your final decision, as well," Diaz adds.