Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice

If you're up to your ears in paint chips but no further to pinning down a hue, our new 3-part series is for you

Laura GaskillJun 24, 2013

Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Get my bi-weekly email: https://www.lauragaskill.com/thesimplelist/

If you have ever found yourself staring at a wall marked up with dozens of sample colors, yet still no closer to finding the right shade, you have come to the right place. In this three-part series, we will be discussing ways to get over your paint-color paralysis, get inspired to find color all around you and, finally, pull together a whole-house palette. Let's get started.

CWB Architects

Know which hues are easier to work with. If you've had bum luck choosing paint colors in the past, it could be that you were making things harder on yourself than was necessary. Some colors, like pink, are especially difficult to get just right. Neutral hues like gray, beige and soft browns, as well as pale, silvery blues are quite forgiving.

This room: Coventry Gray

It's OK to not have colorful paint. Give yourself permission to skip the color deliberations and just go with white. It's fresh, classic and easy, and it goes with everything. If you've been putting off choosing paint colors for years, perhaps it's time to let yourself off the hook.

Ashley Campbell Interior Design

Skip the paint-rack confusion. Those paint racks at the hardware store are not the place to begin your hunt for the perfect color!

It may be fun at first browsing thousands of colors, but it's not likely to result in the perfect hue for your living room. Do as the pros do: Start with a vision for your space instead.

Consider what look you are aiming for, save room photos you love and take a picture with you to the paint store to help you narrow the choices.

This room: Texas Leather

Pay attention to existing finishes. If you are seeking paint colors for your kitchen, bath or another room with existing finishes to consider, start there.

For example, cool gray tile floors or granite counters beg for a cool wall hue like blue or gray. Bring a sample or photo of the finishes in your room to the paint store to aid in matching.

This accent wall: Fresh Aqua

Caitlin Wilson Design

Start small. If you are feeling overwhelmed by a list of rooms to paint that's a mile long, start with the smallest one.

Choose your paint color based on the finishes in the room or a piece of fabric or art, and get going!

The sense of accomplishment you'll get from a job well done should help you face the rest of your painting jobs with more confidence.

Caitlin Wilson Design

Don't be afraid to snag exact shades. See a wall color you love in a magazine, on a blog or on Houzz? On Houzz, clicking the photo can lead to more information ... and there is no reason not to use the color yourself.

This wall: Key Largo Green | Tips for matching colors from photos to real life

Tyler Karu Design + Interiors

Always, always test it out. And use the exact finish you plan to use — high gloss will look very different from matte or eggshell. If you don't want to deal with test pots, look for a paint company that offers poster-size paint chips and tape them to your wall instead.

Even with big paint chips, when you think you have a winner, it's still wise to test out the paint itself before buying all of the paint you need.

Help from the pros is more accessible than you might think. Many designers, decorators and color pros do color consultations, and the wisdom you glean from them in your sessions can be worth its weight in gold. Don't be afraid to reach out.

This room: Coral Pink

More:
Houzz guides to color

How to work with a color consultant

Find a local pro