Paint colour mistakes to avoid
Paint colour is the most inexpensive yet transformative tool, but with millions of choices at our fingertips it can be a daunting decision, one which so many of us are nervous to get wrong.
Shopping from the paint chart
Think of paint charts as a way to shop for sample pots, not the tin of paint. Not only do the swatches look darker against a stark white card, a colours appearance is affected by others when viewed together. For this reason it’s also best to avoid painting multiple swatches on one wall.
The most successful way to choose colours is to buy a sample pot and paint a piece of card - at least A4 in size. Light plays the most important role so consider the sample in different areas of the room throughout the day.
Not considering the direction of your room
If your room faces North the light will have a colder, blue undertone. This will enhance the coolness of brilliant white and cold colours with a blue or green undertone. To counteract the cold feeling you can opt for colours with a warm undertone of red or yellow. In South facing rooms, the light will be much warmer so these colours will feel even hotter, so if you choose cooler green or blue undertones they’ll be warmed up by the light.
Forgetting the ceiling
The ceiling represents one-sixth of the space in a room, but too often it’s ignored and simply given a coat of white paint. Ceilings that are lighter than the walls feel higher, while those that are darker will feel lower.
Painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls is a great trick to bring a room together. This works especially well in vaulted or angled spaces and will make the room feel unified despite it’s irregularities.
Using brilliant white
Any colour, even the palest of creamy whites will look much darker when sitting directly next to brilliant white.
The same will happen to your carefully considered colour palettes if you introduce brilliant white to the ceilings, woodwork or neighbouring walls. It will also make a room feel cold and flat, not bright, light and airy - so it’s best to avoid it completely.
To keep things harmonious opt for a white that tones with the wall colour.
Not checking for nasties
Volatile organic compounds are chemicals used to manufacture and maintain building materials, interior furnishing, cleaning products and personal care products.
The most instantly recognisable indication of VOC’s in our homes is that new paint smell. These low-level effects of VOC’s include throat, nose and eye irritation, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and vomiting, as well as more severe reactions triggering asthma.
Low or no VOC paint is extremely easy to source. Not only are these paints better for our environment and our health, the depth of colour created by natural pigments just cannot be replicated with chemicals. Architectural historian, 'colourman', eco-worrier and farmer Edward Bulmer created his paint range using just nine natural earth and mineral pigments. For another selection of intensely pigmented, low VOC, plastic free and breathable paints try Francesca's Paint. Read more about VOC’s in interior design here.