What color should I paint my house?

That's a big question and there are dozens of answers. What I'm going to do today is a little Q and A. I'm going to have a question and answer post of the most asked questions when it comes to color, both live and virtual consultations. 

Well, what color SHOULD I paint my house?

That's a loaded question and there are literally dozens of possibilities. When it comes to virtual consultations, I need to know where you live, the size of your home and some type of color direction as far as what you like or dislike.

When it comes to exterior color, I'll need to know if you belong to a Home Owner's Association because this will limit your color palette that first needs to be approved by them.

After that, it's not so much what color “should” you paint your home it's what color does it need to be. There is a difference based on stone work, exposure and how much light you have on your home. Maybe a home in the woods could be a brighter color verses a home that is in full sun.

What is the most important part of choosing color for the home?

After I meet with a client or even after a virtual client, I provide large (8x10) color chips for most of my clients.  It's imperative that you look at these color samples, hang them up on your wall and view them a few days BEFORE you commit to painting. 

I strongly recommend taking a few days out so you can see what the colors look like in the morning, night, sunny days and cloudy days. Only then after you love how it looks, then I'd proceed to calling in the painters.

Those large paint chips are also handy to have for when you need to purchase decor for your home. It's good to keep in the car in case you're out shopping and just happen to find the perfect area rug. Check to see how the rug looks with your new color palette before you purchase. Sometimes we remember our colors wrong and if the undertone is off, then that rug goes back.

What colors should I avoid in my home?

That depends again on where you live and what colors you dislike. Just because you like a color doesn't mean it will look right on your wall. There are so many factors to consider.

I think the colors that cause the most trouble are those pinky beiges. They just look awful! Beige in general is just a no-go. I haven't used beige in a really long time and it's not just because I don't like it my clients are protesting it as well. 

What colors do you suggest for people who can't agree on a color?

This is really interesting because once in a while I come across a couple who says that they can't agree on any colors. There are zillions of color in the wheel and I always seem to find one or two that they both like. I particularly like when I hear them say “oh, I would have never thought of that color!” I love that! When couples can't agree on a color or one favors a color I like to choose a totally different hue so that it appears that no side was taken - keep it neutral so to speak.

What about the “Color of the Year"? Should I be using them in my home?

Only if you like it. I really like Coral Reef by Sherwin Williams but would hesitate to use it in any large areas. I think it's perfect for a girls bedroom and I have a very similar color in my daughters room. Coral Reef would be perfect for a bathroom and as an accent feature as seen in this graphic. 

Most of those feature colors are all too much for an overall wall color but are perfect for accents. If “they” every choose a very muted hue, that would be perfect for the home. Most of them are just too saturated.

Can I choose just one color for my home? It seems so much easier that way.

Nope. Sorry. That's just not a good design for a home. That's the same as eating vanilla ice cream every day. At first it seems like a really good idea but after a while it gets boring and uninteresting. Is that how you want your home to feel? 

If you really, really want just one color for your home I can help you choose just one but I'll try my best to explain other colorful options for you and your home. 

But I like beige and I like a red dining room. Why don't you?

Because it's boring and outdated. I'm not saying that the red dining room is ugly, I think it's very pretty and I had a red dining room too … in 1990. 

I see it this way, it's my job as a Color Expert to show you other color possibilities other that the ones that have been done 1,000 times. It's up to me to show you colors and combinations that you may not have thought of and at the same time, incorporating what YOU want into your home - even if it's a red dining room. I'll make sure you have the RIGHT red :-)

When it comes to virtual design, how do you know what's best for my home without being here?

I get asked this question a million times. The answer is my 30 years of experience. 

• I've seen just about every color combination that will work with the most popular granite in the home so I just need to see your granite.

• I've seen many of the top 100 colors already painted out in homes so I know now they look finished.

• I've witnessed the trickery of lighting so I just need to see a picture of your room so I can see what lighting you have there.

• If you like a coastal color palette, I already know the best color combinations to achieve that look because I've been designing coastal color palettes during my entire career.

• I know the top 10 blues that most people would love to have in their home because they go so well with the standard blue decor that you see in retail.

• and the most important part, I a really good listener. Whether you send me a lengthy email or talk to me on the phone, I actually listen to what you want and don't want for your home and that narrows the color search down - a lot. 

• Also with knowing all those crazy rules about undertones, I know what color can be friends and which colors need to part ways. 

So you see, when you ask me what color should I have in my home, there are literally dozens of factors that I need to consider before I even mention a color.

If you have more questions about color, you can read my main blog at www.DecoratinbyDonna.com or just email me. Thanks! This was fun :-)