After several posts about the virtue of diving into a house full of colors, I must confess that I live in a world of white!

Our home is a new build, and we’ve only been here for about 9 months, so the walls are still builder white.

And I hate it.

But…

Even though having white walls is the equivalent of store brand coffee when I can have a Starbuck’s Iced Mocha, in my opinion, it’s important to live with the house for a while before jumping into paint colors.

Often, in my experience, the house will speak to you & tell you which colors will work.

Plus, many times you may consider several different versions of a room. Waiting it out a bit gives you time to ponder & think about what will make you happiest.

For example, one of the possibilities that I’ve considered for my kitchen is to paint one full wall with black chalkboard paint. When I came up with the idea, I was thrilled, and almost ran out to Lowe’s that minute.

Good thing I waited…

Upon reflection, I realized that painting an entire wall would mean lots of chalk graffiti by the kids, which, in turn, would mean lots of chalk dust, and I’m not the world’s most stellar housekeeper. I’d have to stay after school every day to wash the board!

Then I also realized that the real reason for painting the wall as a chalkboard – to create “message central” wouldn’t work either, because the wall is primarily in the dining area, not the cooking area, which is where I need my “message central.”

Waiting also helps to reinforce that your original plan is the one you want.

For example, I plan to paint my guest bathroom a deep brown, with a hint of blue & maroon. I’ve had several paint chips taped to the wall for months now, and even though it’s a very dark color for a small room, it’s the color I love & keep coming back to.

So, take your time & let the walls and rooms speak to you.

Be brave with color!

Dare to choose a shade other than white or off-white. After all, if you don’t like it, you can easily and inexpensively change the color, simply by repainting!

If you can’t bear to paint an entire room, add color to at least one wall. You may find that you enjoy the effect and may soon paint the rest of the room, and after that, you may go on a painting spree throughout your entire home!

If you’re still unsure about painting a room, try adding accessories to the room that are in the same color family as the paint color you’re considering. That will help you to discover if the effect of that color is appealing to you.

When selecting a color to paint a room, think about the colors you like and the mood that you associate with those colors.

Whether it’s the shade of your favorite article of clothing, the tint of a page from your favorite childhood picture book, or the color of your café au lait, if it’s a hue that makes you feel happy, comfortable, or cozy, it may be suitable for room in your home.

There are a few basics to remember when choosing a paint color.

Bold colors catch your eye and jump out at you, and may make a room seem smaller. Warm colors, those in the red, yellow, and orange families, also create the illusion of moving toward you, and may also make a room seem smaller. On the other hand, these colors may make your room seem warmer, cozier, and more intimate.

Quiet, softer colors are more subtle and can make an area appear larger. The cool colors in the blue and green families have the effect of making an area more open and airy. These colors are ideal to create the illusion of space, especially if you don’t have that much of it!