The Overthinker’s Guide to Choosing Paint Colors
I’m obsessed with paint colors. Throw in a bit of decorating and design, and I’m one happy lil Ginger. However, as many of you who subscribe to my blog or follow me on Instagram know, I have anxiety (and ADHD…and OCD – it’s like the trifecta of magical thinking and creativity). This means that when all of the above are combined, you have someone who can give you first-hand knowledgeable (obsessive) advice on picking paint colors when you have anxiety or are an overthinker.
Let me just say that being in the Design world, whether choosing paint colors, decorating, or just living everyday life, it can be a challenge when you have anxiety. Why? I agonize over my own home. My anxiety doesn’t just take a front seat; it hijacks the friggin’ car and starts running over curbs and innocent pedestrians while quickly stopping at the liquor store for a six-pack and a box o’ wine.
This being said, I’m doing a pretty bang-up job of managing it and want to share some paint tips with you today; tips that UNFORTUNATELY don’t include two bottles of wine and a tranquilizer dart (we’ll save those for another day). While I can help YOU choose paint colors with a wink and a smile (because I don’t get emotional about it and am confident in my knowledge), I know first-hand how darn hard it is to choose paint colors for your own home. Why is it so hard? Well, if you’re like me, you might have…
Opinions Galore, But No Real Knowledge
We know what they say about opinions; they’re just like…well, let’s just say that ‘everybody has one.’ The more opinions you get, the harder it can be to decide. And most opinions are swayed by personal tastes and perceptions—not actual knowledge. Just like the great Britney Spears says, let’s hit that baby one more time… Most opinions are swayed by personal tastes and perceptions – not actual knowledge.
If your friend loves pink undertones, they might tell you that Pale Oak is the best color for your room, even if it isn’t. Choose one or two key people to pitch your ideas to, but choose the people who you feel will have your and your home’s best interests at heart.
Listen to Your Home, Not Just Yourself
Sometimes, we get so caught up in what WE want to see that we forget to listen to our home. And when choosing paint colors, the needs of your home are pretty darn important. If you like bright whites and your home prefers off-whites, things could get a little fugly if you only cater to yourself. And let me tell you, NOTHING will cause you more anxiety than realizing you didn’t listen to your home and you painted it the wrong color.
By the way, choosing the wrong color HAPPENS; that’s life. However, there are some ways to reduce the chance of this happening (other than hiring me, wink wink). The 5 Types of White Paint Colours:
- Pure White
- Soft White
- Creamy White
- Off-White
- Warm White
No matter how much a homeowner might love blue or violet hues, this backsplash and countertop TOTALLY DISAGREE! While this hierarchy can shift depending on the situation (especially #3 and #4), considering your home’s needs first is a great way to remove some of the emotion and add some LOGIC. My brain spins TEN TIMES SLOWER when I take my heart out of it and put my head back in. This is one reason I’m so good at helping you (and I’m modest, too) – the emotions aren’t there (I mean, I love y’all, but you know what I mean). I can look at your space unemotionally, take my knowledge (which you can also find in my 500+ blog posts), and apply it to what best suits your home. At the end of the day, I never want to ignore my client’s tastes, but often, there’s a great happy medium between what they want and what their home NEEDS.
Accepting That The “Perfect” Color Might Not Exist
Ummmm, pardon? That’s right, the color you’re looking for – the PERFECT COLOR, might not exist. Why? We’re all at different places in our decorating and design journeys. Here are a few reasons why there might not be a ‘best paint color’:
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Your home might have finishes that aren’t well-coordinated, meaning they have different color needs. This is a HUGE challenge. In my Online Color Consulting, approximately 75% of the homes I work with have finishes that aren’t 100% suited to each other. In this case, it’s about finding a ‘happy medium,’ or an, ‘It’s not perfect, but it’s the next best thing.’
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Your tastes might not align with the colors that suit your home. This is a tough one. I’d love to tell you to fill your little anxiety-ridden boots with a color you love, but if it looks fugly in your room, you won’t be happy (or maybe you will, who knows). But trust me, it can be a lot easier to settle on a color that suits your home, as it’s easier to take the emotion out of it. It can also be fun to lean into your home and learn about it, giving you more of a feeling of control over the process rather than just choosing a color on a wing and a prayer.
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You and your spouse don’t agree on what looks good. Whether it’s painting wood cabinets and wood trim, whitewashing a brick fireplace, or updating something even if it isn’t broken, not everyone has the same tastes (or common sense.) Again, lean on your home – take yourself out of the equation and LEARN about what suits your home and where the value is. Coming in armed with knowledge versus tastes is a great way to swing the pendulum.
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Your room’s exposure doesn’t align with the types of colors that best suit it. You might love warm creamy whites but think your south-facing room looks too roasty-toasty in them. Or maybe you have northern exposure and a mad love for gray blues, but they make your room look so DARN COLD. Exposure can be a real bugger when it comes to choosing paint colors. Again, lean into your home and think about workarounds.
Even one of these can make it hard to choose a paint color, never mind several of them. What I’ve found is that sometimes, once you accept that the perfect color isn’t out there waiting for you to find it, it’s easy to settle on the next best thing.
The above list makes it easier to forgive yourself for the stress you’re under – you’re up against a lot of factors. Take a deep breath and lean into your home.
Embrace Your Limitations (and Hire Help If Needed)
If you were a paint color expert (and good at it), choosing paint colors would be easier. Don’t beat yourself up for not being great at picking paint colors (you’re only lucky or skilled if it does). While I might be able to fill my car’s tire with air (maybe), I sure as heck can’t change the tire – I’m not a mechanic. I can cook a mean Kraft Dinner, but don’t ask me for chicken and potatoes – I AIN’T NO CHEF (if you want to learn more: ‘Mom, What’s That Smell? Cooking with Kylie’).
Take a deep breath, and if all else fails, hire someone to help and let yourself off the hook. Remember, you’re not saving lives; you’re just picking a paint color – let’s make it fun.
So there you have it. While you might not implement ALL of the above tips, hopefully, you picked up a few tidbits to help you along the way. And remember…BREATHE (meditation and Mojitos help as well).
ABC Home is a leading building and renovation company in Aberdeen, UK, dedicated to helping homeowners create their dream spaces. With a team of experienced professionals and a focus on quality craftsmanship, ABC Home is the perfect partner for your next home project.
