Pick Your Paint

Confused by what paint to use for your room? You're not alone. Use these guidelines to help refine your selections.

Location: What room are you painting?

Walls - Use a satin or eggshell finish, these are easy to clean and touch-up, though there are some scrubbable flats and low luster finishes on the market that also work well. Most contractors will use flat on the walls; something to keep in mind if you are building, remodeling or buying. If you run your hand along the surface and it feels chalky then it's likely a flat.

Ceilings - Flat finish. Use this for your ceiling because it's unlikely to receive wear and tear from daily life like your walls. Also, flats hide surface imperfections. (Another secret to why contractors use it on walls.)

Trim - Satin, Semi-Gloss or Gloss formulated for trim like Sherwin Williams's Pro-Classic Enamel.

Color: Soothing, Sophisticated or Energizing?

The choice of color should also be dictated by the function of the room and what furniture and flooring you already own. The flooring will likely be the largest component to work with, so be certain to keep it in mind as an accent while selecting your color.

One of the best ways to go about this is to pick a magazine with rooms you like and use it as a guideline. Make a list of what you like about it. Pay careful attention to how certain colors make you feel.

Pure red, magenta, orange or yellow are all energizing colors. These colors are also warm and active. . Highly saturated colors contain a high ratio of pure pigment. The more saturated the color is, the more dominant it will be in the room. These color choices work well with black, white, or neutral furniture schemes.

Mid-to dark colors tend to work well with sophisticated or traditional design schemes. With these, the color should not be a pure color, but should instead have a touch of black to 'gray' it down a bit. Using less saturated colors for the wall allows the furniture and fabric schemes to be more important.

Light, cool colors are considered by most to be soothing and tranquil.

When you have your samples hold them in different locations in the room. Tape a piece so that it abuts your baseboard and you can step back to view it from a distance. Next, move the same sample to different areas of light coverage. Some spots might receive different light from windows or electric light. Also place the samples is some of the shadow areas underneath windows, or beside large pieces of furniture. Repeat this process in the evening because as the natural light fades the color of the sample will appear to change.

Once you have completed this process purchase 2-3 sample quarts of your favorite and paint them onto some large sample boards, poster board, or foam core sheets. Use a different piece for each so that you can compare the colors side by side, as well as view them independently. This careful planning will help create a room you'll love for years to come.