Everyone has heard the old adage “Nothing transforms a room quicker or cheaper than painting”, and this has never been truer than now. Not only is there an endless selection of colors available these days, but an endless selection of artistic possibilities as well. Whether you want to give your walls the look of worn leather, aged concrete or two hundred year old water stained granite, your imagination is the only limit.

But many consumers these days find it daunting trying to decide what type of finish would work best in their rooms, whether to do a simple color wash or an all over multi-part technique with metallic highlights and textured paint. In my professional career dealing with the different aspects of paint and decor, I’ve found it easiest to start from the ground, with three simple questions.

1. How big should the room be?
2. What will the “mood” of the room be?
3. What will the room be used for?

The first question may seem redundant, a room is as big as it is, right? Not at all, a room is a big as you perceive it to be. The right use of color and pattern can make small rooms seem huge or very large rooms seem cozy. A lighter or brighter color selection in a pattern that moves up and into the room will draw your eyes up and back giving the feel that the room expands beyond its corners. Inversely, a darker color selection in a more uniform pattern will make the room seem drawn into itself and closer.

The second question may also seem a bit obvious; everyone wants their rooms to be “comfortable and happy” don’t they? And again, it’s not that easy. Just because your red car makes you happy doesn’t mean your red kitchen will, and just because your really comfortable in denim jeans doesn’t mean you’ll be comfortable in your faux denim walled master bath. Try to imagine the feel you’re going for in the room, and then the best way to convey that. For instance, if you’re looking for a tranquil feel, you could think of a stream and use colors and textures the remind you of water and stone, or if you’re looking for a broken in feel, you could use aged whites and deep browns with light hints of distressing and a subtle faux finish to suggest aging of the rooms surfaces.

The last question is the easy one, a well planned room should show it’s intent at first look. Obviously, a formal dining room striped in lime green and canary yellow isn't going to feel very formal, and a baby pink kitchen may leave you craving bubble gum more than dinner. So keep in mind the purpose the room will serve when planning your wall and surface colors.

I hope this post has helped to simplify your color and faux selection process. Most painters are not in the business of design, and no matter how good their work is, you have to live with the end result. A little planning will go a long way to the satisfaction you feel from your new wall finish. Most importantly, have fun with it, convey your personal style, and find a painter who is reputable and who you feel understands what you are trying to achieve.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and if you are in the Edmond/Central Oklahoma area and in need of painting help, please feel free to contact me.

William Graeber @ Graeber Design 405-229-7383