common mistakes to avoid when choosing paint

A sweet reader, Shea, wrote in with a great question and said, “…I am in the middle of choosing colors for our home. I’m all over the place and I think I’m frozen by fear of messing up. I was wondering if you could give me any guidance on choosing paint colors? Anything I should really avoid?…”

So today’s topic? Common mistakes to avoid when choosing paint! We’re sharing common mistakes that we see people make, and how to avoid them to make the right call when you’re staring oh-so-crosseyed at those paint chips. So let’s begin, shall we?

1. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Paint – Don’t: Pick Your Paint Color First

We see people doing this all the time, anxious to make a choice, and get started.

Then there’s the other side of the coin: We also run into this often with what we do, in the realm of all things construction, so it always feels a little bit backwards with what we’d usually recommend under the perfect circumstances. We understand the debacle of needing to book painters so that it doesn’t ruin your furnishings after you’ve moved in, codes requirements… and so much more. It’s different for everyone for different reasons. 

The problem is, it can be hard to then plan your decor around a committed paint color. Choosing it last…That does seem like a better option, after all. 

• Do: Plan your entire space.

Consider all the elements you’ll be bringing into the space. Things do change, so we get it. But it helps to have an over all game plan, so that you know in which direction you’re headed. If you are going with a big project like full-on construction, make sure that you choose a lot of light, neutral colors that can easily be switched out later, if you change your mind.

Which brings us to…

2. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Paint – Don’t: pick a color that is too saturated for your walls

Don’t get us wrong… we love bold color.

We covered the basics of color, and why colors read in a certain way in this post here. The problem usually arises when people don’t consider the overall impact of a color in a space. They can be left feeling overwhelmed with their color choice, and unsure of what to do if they haven’t considered the rest of their design.

People tend to run into problems when the color is darker and bolder than they initially intended.

before 

after

• Do: Lean on your color knowledge.

It can make things easier in the land of choosing from that color swatch. All of it can be a little intimidating, and if you default to choosing a lighter, less saturated color, we can almost guarantee you’ll be happier. We’d also recommend choosing a color with a little grey in it. Put them up, side by side. Sample them all so you can see how you feel about it. Leave the darker colors to a lot of your accents around your space. Let them play together, and use repetition to strike a balance in the room.

Think in terms of hierarchy and let the room work to convey the feeling you’re looking for, with color. The answer isn’t always in an in-your0-face design choice, but in the way the entire design comes together. Add depth and interest with the elements of the space so that it doesn’t feel like you’re fighting with yourself.

You’ll be glad you considered the over-all design.

before

after

3. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Paint – Don’t: Forget the Rest of  Your House

Maybe the darkest black and then the lightest blue in the very next room, won’t be such a good idea unless you’ve considered how their tones will play together. All this is relative, after all, depending on the colors you choose. 

We love the idea of being bold with color choices. But what we love more, is when more than one space is considered in establishing a constant and thoughtful flow in the home. 

• Do: Think About How your Home Flows 

If you love colors on your walls, fantastic! Just be sure to consider how they flow, from one room to the next. We’ve talked about this here before, but how each room works together is an integral part of how your home feels.

Let it speak to you and consider the environment before making the color call. You can do this through repetition, and using color in different ways in different spaces. We also love the idea of unifying it all with neutrals and natural elements, too.

It can do wonders for the home and transitions from one color, to the next. 

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Paint – Don’t: Just Hope Your Color Choice Will Work Itself Out 

Once you are comfortable with the color and your choices, it becomes like a second instinct, so we say go for it.

In the meantime, if you’re in doubt, samples are there for a reason. Unless you’re extremely confident in your choice, if you’re making a guess you should definitely consider how it will feel on the walls. 

• Do: Try out Samples 

Consider the rest of your space, its entire design, the lighting throughout different times of the day, and so much more.

That means grabbing a few samples when in doubt, at the paint store. Try them out on those walls. {Pssst… we love Samplize! And no, this isn’t sponsored.} Paint can change colors on a whim, so we definitely recommend trying them out, before committing. 

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Paint – Don’t: Ignore the Finish

{I.E.: Don’t go for high gloss on a ceiling }

Yeah, this one kind of has nothing to do with color, but it’s something people don’t consider sometimes.

At least once upon a time, I didn’t. In our very first house circa 2005, I had an idea that I wanted to paint all the walls. {I’ve come a long way, people.} They were gorgeous colors and I was oh so excited. I think I was pregnant, and my brain was mush, and we went to the paint store to see all things paint. Somehow, we had all of our colors mixed in high gloss, and I was mortified.

If we’d used them, our house would have looked like a shiny easter egg from the 80’s with all the colors to boot. Ya live, ya learn. There were definitely some lively lavenders and beautiful blues.

Short story long, we had to have all the paint remixed and done again in a subtle eggshell. Wheeee.

Before

Unless you want them to see every single imperfection {especially in an old house} glossy on a ceiling… that’s never a fun idea.

Do: Go for a Nice Eggshell for a Barely-There Sheen.

Certain finishes are appropriate for certain surfaces. We would reserve semi-gloss for things like trim in a house. Consider that when you choose your final finishes and paint colors. 

It can make a world of difference in your finished product. It’s all in the details.

Bonus: Do Remember that Paint is the Most Forgivable Medium 

If you choose something you’re not happy with the first time, remember that it’s just paint. Truly. You can always come back with a fresh coat. At the very least, you’ve learned what you don’t like. All that knowledge can add up to be valuable. 

After

We hope you’ve enjoyed this little edition of all things color! And I hope this gives you some things to consider when moving forward and picking things for your home. Just remember to go with what you love, and you’ll be happy with the outcome. We hope this helps! You’ve got this.

What are some things you may have done in the past, that we can learn from?

Any advice for anyone else here to learn more about picking paint colors?

We’d love to hear! 

Have an inspired day!

Pssst… This is a part of an older series. If you’re interested in more, check them out here: 

• We dove in with the basics + where to begin.
• We covered some color FAQ’s and why neutrals “read” a certain way.
• We were thrilled to cover rules you can break