STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR
CHOOSING PAINT COLORS

This easy choosing paint colors guide is divided into four parts:
Wall Color, Ceiling, Doors/Trim, and Finishes.

WALL COLOR

1) Collect samples of all fabrics, furnishings, flooring, window coverings, and woods that will be part of the room.

2) Place all items on a white poster board to see their true colors, as shown here:

3) Take a paint manufacturer’s fan deck (we find Benjamin Moore the easiest to use) and eliminate families of color that will not work with your samples from step one. Pull to the left of the deck the families of color that may work.

a. You may purchase the fan deck at your authorized paint dealer.
b. Another option is to go to your local paint store. Select all colors that might work.

 

4) Then go back through the ones that might work from step 3 and eliminate all but your three favorite leafs.

5) From the three leaves select three favorite colors. Note: Perhaps one leaf has two of your favorite colors.

6) Larger samples are necessary to see the true color and make your final decision. There are two options:

a. Purchase the smallest quantity available of each paint color and three large (approx. 22” x 28”) poster boards. Paint each color on its own poster board. Note: Benjamin Moore offers Color Samples, a collection of 260 of their most popular colors. Color Samples cover a 2’ x 2’ area.

b. If it is a Benjamin Moore paint, we can send you paint sheets that range in size from 6” x 9” to 8” x 8”. See the request form at the bottom of this page.

7) Place sample boards in the room to be painted. Observe the color in both daylight and at night. Experiment with placing it next to your furnishings, floor, cabinets, window coverings, art etc.

8) Select the winning wall color.

CEILING

1) Go back to the leaf with the winning wall color.

2) Analyze the room:

a. If the ceiling is low, generally a lighter color works better.

b. For high ceilings, you can be more daring, and go deeper in color. However, this will make the ceiling appear lower. This is a great tactic to use in a master bedroom where you want to feel cocooned.

c. If the ceiling has architectural elements:

Beams - paint the ceiling the same color as the walls.

Domed, Coved, Vaulted - Go two steps down (darker) on the color leaf. Artistry finishes are another option. For more information on artistry finishes go to Faux Finishes (link coming soon!).

DOORS, TRIM AND BASEBOARDS

1) Generally baseboards and trim are the same color throughout the home.

2) Place the wall color and ceiling color on the white poster board.

3) Go to the white/neutral color section of the paint fan deck.

4) Go through each leaf and choose two colors that compliment the wall color.

5) Place your selections from Step 4 on the white poster board to see any undertones.

6) After choosing your colors, paint a poster board of your two selections.

7) Take the poster boards and compare it with the other paint colors throughout the house.

8) Pay special attention that the trim/baseboard color is complimentary to the floor. Select the one color that works the best throughout the home.

9) If in doubt, use white. We have found Benjamin Moore’s Decorators White compliments many color palettes.

FINISHES – GLOSS LEVEL

Each company has their own terminology for gloss levels. They usually run from flat to high-gloss. Let’s assume the gloss levels are flat, low-sheen, medium-sheen, and semi-gloss.

Flat – ceilings
Ideal for less than perfect surfaces and minimal use areas.

Low-Sheen – walls of medium traffic rooms
Finish is washable with medium durability.

Medium-Sheen – walls of kitchen, bathrooms and high traffic rooms
Extra durable but you will see more imperfections

Semi-Gloss – doors, trim and baseboards
Very durable, stands up well to repeated cleanings

Congratulations! You have reached the top rung of the ladder. You are now ready for the painter…which just might be you!