http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-power-of-paint-diy-qa%ef%bf%bds.html
The Power of Paint and Color: DIY
Imagine for a moment that you are standing in the paint department of your local home improvement store with paint chips and fabric swatches in hand. While contemplating the overwhelming color selection of eco-paint color choices, you start asking yourself “Do I want the room to feel soothing, energized, sexy, dramatic, calming, appetizing, healing, nature inspired, neutral or just plain white?”
According to a very reputable source (the guy behind the counter at my paint store), DIY interior painting is a cinch, but selecting a paint color can be mind-numbingly difficult. He says, “People get dizzy looking at all the color choices.”
Why do it yourself?
• It’s cheap.
• It’s easy to do.
• It’s easy to green.
• It’s a mood elevator.
• It’s satisfying to do it yourself.
• It’s a quick decorating solution.
What is the power of color?
Think of paint as color therapy for your home. Paint is the key element that can be used to revitalize a room. The color you choose can have therapeutic effects. The psychology behind choosing a paint color is well documented here in this Care2 article. Color impacts mood, appetite and energy level. Certain colors elicit specific and strong responses.
How to choose a color scheme?
The Paint Quality Institute suggests you choose a “warm or cool” color scheme to enhance the mood of your home.
Which are warm colors?
Colors in the red, orange and yellow families are referred to as “warm” colors since they evoke images associated with heat, like fire or sunshine. As a result they make us feel warm in a psychological sense.
Which are cool colors?
Blues, greens, violets and their intermediates are considered cool colors because of their references to pastoral landscapes and ocean vistas. When we look at these colors they elicit feelings of peace, tranquility and relaxation.
What’s new about the color green for interiors?
Green may just become the newest “neutral” color. It’s used as a subtle backdrop to reflect an enhanced eco-consciousness and green represents the growing environmental movement. Mid-tone hues of fern, palm, pine and sage on their own, or coupled with clear blue or aqua create a living space that conjures up a sense of outdoor-friendly living. Sandy tans and warm browns are intermingled to complete that earthy and eco-friendly feel.
I am inspired by nature. How can I capture my love of nature in paint colors?
Got an iPhone? Get a free color app. Just snap a picture and you can instantly match it to one of the more than 3,300 hues in the color system app. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams provide coordinating color palettes for your inspiration. If you don’t have an iPhone, you can take a cue from these apps and bring a photo with you when you choose colors.
Which are good Eco-Friendly paints?
Eco-Friendly paints come in every color of the rainbow. Here’s an article from Dwell magazine that reviews and compares some eco-friendly paints. We recently used Benjamin Moore’s Natura and got great coverage. Also, I can’t say enough good things about the product American Clay for your walls. Read about it here.
How much paint should I buy?
Here’s a handy paint calculator to help you determine how much paint you’ll need to cover your space. With DIY projects like painting a room, you’ll want to get it right the first time. Most paint companies provide coverage estimates on the paint can label.
Need more inspiration?
Check out this New York Times article, Casa de los Colores for some fun and extreme home color combos.
As for so many DIY projects for your home, know your color choices and “Measure twice, Paint once.”
More from Ronnie Citron-Fink (138 articles available)
related stories
-
(6 comments)
-
(9 comments)
-
(6 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
30 comments
add your comment »Simply amazing what a coat of paint can do for the environment. It simply calms the spirit and lifts the soul, don't you think?
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Carlotta ~ Am not personally fond of yellow, but have suggested it to a family member as the room(s) needed warmest and it really did the trick !
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I love the color yellow. I like to gradiate this with other analagous warm colors when I paint a wall.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I use cool colours in blue, green, violet, ivory and soft 'white' shades as they are calming and restful. I also plan most of my garden flowers using these shades. My two C'mas trees...one mainly white while the other purple, lavender, green and pewter. Avoiding the red/green in decor allows one to keep trims up longer to enjoy.
Having worked in the past in high stress positions with a lot of action and people, colour has been a redeeming tool to balance out my life. They are not at all boring. Think of the colours in your clothing that make you feel good...of course, don't wear a colour simply because you like it if it does nothing for you. Colour is an amazing tool to be used wisely.
One tip I continue to pass on to people having been a floral designer for a number of years...do not send red flowers to the hospital as a get-well gesture (of course we know you wouldn't sent scented ones...) It does nothing to cheer people up...it raises BP and irriates the patient without them knowing why !
If you place the deaded monument tops on the headstones of loved ones, do not insist on the colour red...it fades the fastest and looks dreadful after one season....try mauves, yellows, greens....white turns a dirty grey which is almost as bad !
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Great article, Thank you! Color is a critcal part of our lives (as is the full spectrum of ultra violet rays)
Its a science really and once you understand the color wheel, it can take alot of the mystery and intimidation out of color, and choosing one.
The colors in all there hues and values are vast and color combinations seem endless
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
We love Glidden’s Polished Limestone. It has a hint of blue in it but it’s mostly a gorgeous light and airy gray that will definitely work with Sand White and Antique White. Hope it helps!
aa batterien
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I just wrote a psychology paper on the psychological effects of color. It's amazing how color can change your attitude and view of certain situations. As a diet trick some eat out of blue plates, since blue is least appetizing people tend to eat less.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
cool ideas
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
thankyou
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Lovely ideas!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: