Light Color | University Painters

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Written by Colleen Kalil

7 August 2018

Choosing A Paint Palette For Open Floor Plans

paints, home painters Open concept floor plans continue to be a favorite among homebuyers. The flow from room to room creates a large, inviting space for friends and family to gather, and without walls separating rooms, the area feels larger and more spacious. However, the large space can present decorating challenges. How do you create a unified color scheme? Use too many colors and the space will feel chaotic and be visibly unappealing. Use too few colors and it may be boring.

One option is to create a palette using three to five colors. Five colors may sound like a lot, but the key is how each color is used throughout the space. Choose one neutral color: white, off-white, or eggshell are good choices. Next, select one or two other light colors, and finally, select one or two accent colors. Keep your choices within color families to create a sophisticated, professional appearance. Whichever colors you choose, be consistent when applying them to your rooms.

Use your neutral color as a base and apply to the majority of the space. The neutral color provides a blank canvas where you can add different accents, textures, and materials. Add interest to different areas of the space with an accent wall. Don’t be afraid to be bold. Remember, dark colors make objects recede, light colors make objects look bigger. Add color to the inside of a built-in bookcase, the wall over a fireplace, or an interesting architectural detail.

A three color palette is a simpler plan. Use one color for the walls, the second for the trim, and the third for the ceiling. Again, make sure colors coordinate to create a refined interior.

Tone-on-tone or monochromatic palettes offer more variety than you might think. Use different tones of the same color, either in one room or as a smooth transition between rooms. The different tones don’t have to come just from paint. Add wallpaper, stenciled designs, fabric, glass tile, etc. to create interest and texture.

Don’t forget that textiles and furniture are part of creating a cohesive space. If you’re a fan of hardwood floors, select a neutral that works well with your color palette and furniture style. Layer area rugs, architectural details, and artwork to create depth and add interest to your space.

University Painters expert technicians can help you develop the right color palette to create the mood that’s right for your home. Call us today for more information and to set up a free consultation.

Regular Post

Written by Colleen Kalil

6 January 2018

Choosing The Right Paint Colors For Your Home

People often have a hard time picking out paint colors. Colors can transform your house into a home but the challenge for most homeowners is having to choose from thousands of available colors and picking the perfect one. Should you choose a dark or light color? Cool or warm? Neutral or bold? Here are some tips to help you pick out the perfect paint color:

Consider The Location Of The Room

There are several questions that you need to answer when choosing colors for particular spaces in your home. What is the purpose of the room you want to paint? Will the room serve as a dining area where you plan to entertain guests and spend time with your family every night for dinner? Will it be a laundry room, or will it be the master bedroom that will serve as your sanctuary after a busy day at work?

Different colors have different impacts. A pale blue, for instance, helps you feel relaxed so it is often painted in the bedroom. A bright color, on the other hand, can make you feel more active so you can use it in a work area.

Pick A Color Palette

Once you know the purpose of the space and what you want yourself and others to feel in this particular room, it is time to pick a color palette. Look around you. You should pick a color that goes well with everything in your room, You can also choose the color first then work around this color by accessorizing with curtains, decors and painted furniture.

See The Colors In Action

It is a good idea to give your colors a test before you proceed with the painting job. Paint the colors you’re considering onto white poster boards and place these next to your furniture, carpet and cabinets. Move the poster boards to different places in the room and look for color undertones at night in artificial lighting, during the day with natural lighting, and during rainy days.

Once you have chosen the colors for your home, be sure to choose a professional to perform the paint job for you. Feel free to contact us at University Painters to learn more about the house painting jobs we provide.

Regular Post

Written by Josh Jablon

18 December 2017

How To Change The Size And Shape Of A Room Using Paint Colors

Paint colors can affect the way we see a particular space. Wall colors, for instance, can change how we perceive a room’s size and shape; how should you choose and use colors to achieve the effect you want for your home?

Lighter and cooler colors generally tend to recede so they appear farther away. Darker and warmer colors, on the other hand, advance so they appear to move towards us. This basic color concept can be used to paint rooms so they appear larger or smaller, change the room’s shape, and hide the ugly features of the home.

Make A Room Appear Larger Or Smaller

The eyes stop at lines where the color changes and this makes the edges and size of the room more apparent. Lighter colors allow your eyes to travel continuously around the space so this gives the effect of a room appearing larger.

Using different colors make it easier to see boundaries and this can make small rooms appear smaller. You cannot easily see boundaries when the same color is used creating an illusion that the space continues.

Make The Room Feel More Spacious

If the room is very large, a ceiling with a darker color than the walls can make it appear lower and thus make the room feel cozier. If a space makes you claustrophobic, then paint the ceiling a lighter color to raise its apparent height and make the room feel more spacious.

Alter The Shape Of The Room

Painting the two short walls in a long room with a shade darker than the main wall color will make the room appear more of a square shape. For those with large, bare walls, you can break up the space with molding above and below. Paint the bottom with a darker color than the one above to ground the space.

Disguise Unattractive Items

If you have features in the room that you do not want to look at, have these “eyesores” painted in the same color as the walls. This would make them blend in and become less noticeable.

For rooms with lots of angles and architectural features that you want to downplay, try painting all the surfaces the same color.

University Painting can provide you with the house painting services you need to change the size, shape and appearance of your space. Contact us to set an appointment for a free estimate.

Regular Post

Written by Josh Jablon

19 April 2017

Interior Decorating Done Right: Tips to Freshen Up an Old Look

Decorating an older home to give it a more modern appeal doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, there are plenty of ways you can freshen up an old look by using a few simple interior decorating tricks. Here are some tips to help you add a modern and fresh feel to your older home.

Neutral Walls

Paint walls in a neutral tone, such as beige or light gray. Neutral wall colors make a room feel fresh and can create the visual effect of being larger. Besides, if you stick to neutrals you can change your accessories quickly and easily to create the style you want to achieve.

Declutter

If you visit some grandmothers you’ll soon notice their older-style homes are filled with clutter. There are ornaments on shelves, vases on tables and benches, pictures hanging on every available wall space, and various pieces of unnecessary furniture in living rooms. Giving your older home a modern appeal could be as simple as removing any clutter from rooms to help avoid them looking as though your grandmother still lives there. Think about adding one or two poignant ornaments or a bold piece of art on one wall to create a statement instead. Make a focal point rather than filling the space completely.

Natural Light

Lots of older homes are notorious for having heavy, dark-colored drapes over the windows. Aside from being outdated, those drapes can make a room appear smaller and reduce the amount of natural light entering the space. Replace outdated drapes with lighter colored window coverings. If you want to stick with drapes, choose a lighter color that won’t fade quickly, but can still be drawn back to let light in without making the room seem small.

Update Outdated Fixtures

The fixtures and fittings in your home can be a tell-tale sign of age, so it pays to think about updating them. Dated light fittings and discolored light switch plates can drag down your efforts to refresh the home, so replace them with modern alternatives that match your décor whenever possible.

Choose the Right Shelving

Displaying some of your favorite decorations or ornaments on shelves can be a great way to add character to an older home. However, solid shelving units created from dark timber can make everything seem dated. Consider replacing those dark shelves with airy display units instead. Choose shelving with an open back or perhaps even glass shelving to increase the sense of space in the room and add a gallery-style charm that is ideal for older homes.

Fresh is Best

Some older homes can have a musty or stale odor that can make them feel more dated than they really are. For some, a myriad of problems could contribute to the odor. Others may simply be suffering from lack of airflow or ingrained odors in carpets or rugs. Add a few drops of essential oil to some baking soda and sprinkle the mixture lightly onto carpets or rugs to eliminate bad odors. A combination of baking soda, water, and a couple of drops of essential oils or doTERRA products in a spray bottle can also help cleanse bathrooms and leave a fresh aroma behind.

There are plenty of simple ways to update an older home. Be objective about the house and its current condition. Then make your decorating plans accordingly and you’ll find it much easier to achieve your goals.