While home decor magazines and social media accounts may still be dominated by white and neutral shades, some designers suggest a more colorful future on the horizon. Neutral colors still make sense, letting one add in pops of color and change accent pieces seamlessly from season to season. And although the farmhouse feel is still beloved by many, eclectic vibes are on the rise and darker, moodier settings are also seeping into popularity.
Allowing decorators to maintain a neutral palette while changing things up a bit, the colors gray and black are coming on trend. One scroll through Instagram and you’ll see formerly light, bright spaces being transformed by charcoal accent walls and darkly painted furniture. This still allows pops of color through accent pieces and ensures things like throw pillows and seasonal decor won’t clash with furniture and walls.
Continuing the shift to deeper, more earthy tones, many influencers are painting spaces in saturated greens and blues, pigmented terracotta and apricot orange, or even rich maroons and bright yellows. In short, if it’s intense, it’s on trend! These colors compliment Mediterranean decor and natural woods and wickers in one’s space.
Proving there’s always something for everyone, softer shades are also en vogue, as well as their richer counterparts in vibrant versions of purple and pink. With a nod toward sun-baked hues, however, Benjamin Moore Paint dubbed its shade Aegean Teal 2136-40 as its 2021 Color of the Year. Suggesting this year is a time to reflect and reset, Benjamin Moore described the shade as “intriguing, balanced and deeply soothing.”
How does the paint company choose its annual recommendation, you might ask? The company’s website explains the selection “involves a yearlong observation of design, art, fashion, environment and cultural influences the world-over.” Recent Colors of the Year have ranged from Simply White to Caliente (deep red), expressing the changing moods in design, art, fashion and culture from year to year.
Whether you’re sticking with tried-and-true whites or moving to tropical brights, here are some basic steps to transforming your space with paint.
Step 1: Choosing the Perfect Color.
Things to consider when choosing your paint color include, first and foremost, your own personal taste. Which color samples jump out at you at first glance? Which inspire you or bring you joy? Start there and work your way to the perfect shade, considering the size and purpose of your space (darker colors can make a space seem smaller; brighter colors enliven a space so they may be better suited to a kitchen, while softer colors can be soothing and work well for bedrooms and bathrooms).
Along with color, you’ll want to consider sheen — from glossy to matte — which not only impacts appearance, but maintenance, too. Some are easier to clean than others, and some are more suited to particular surfaces.
Step 2: Supplies and Preparation.
Online calculators can show you exactly how much paint you’ll need based on the size of your space. At a minimum, you’ll need a painter’s tray, rollers and brushes and painter’s tape. A ladder, drop cloth, sponge or rags, screwdriver and an extension pole will likely make painting your space easier, too.
Before you even open your paint cans, you’ll want to clean all the walls, making sure they are free of dirt and cobwebs. You’ll also want to remove outlet and window covers, as well as window treatments and anything on which you do not want paint to potentially fall.
Step 3: Application.
Experts suggest using a brush to carefully “cut in,” or paint along the top and bottom trim where your wall meets the ceiling or molding and floor or baseboards, as well as the corners of your rooms. Then you are ready to start painting at a top corner with your roller.
It is often suggested to paint a W pattern with your roller, about an arms-length in width and depth, and continue to paint W’s from the top of your wall across the room. Repeat the W back and forth across and down the space until your entire wall is covered.
It’s recommended that you reach a natural stopping point in your space before starting to use a new can of paint. At that point, you will want to stir your new can of paint and poor some of it into your old can, then blend well. If you need to take a break while painting, try to end at a corner, so you are painting an entire wall at a time. Pro Tip: Drips and spills may happen but are much easier to clean if wiped with a damp sponge or rag while the paint is still wet!
Once you’ve painted your space, all that’s left is the cleanup before the fun part, decorating, can begin. No matter the trends, remember that painting is truly about your personal style. With that in mind, your color choice sets the tone for your space and your home.
Sources:
1. www.benjaminmoore.com
2. www.behr.com
Written by Angel Morris
You must be logged in to post a comment.