Repainting your home?
Written by Roy Locsin

There are basically three reasons why you would want to repaint your homes – to protect, camouflage or attract attention. Careful planning is important. However the first step is not choosing the right color but validating your objective. Here are practical tips you can consider…

Determine you priority
If your primary reason is just to make your wall look pretty, the rest could be easy. Just choose the color and you’re set. However, one should consider that “protection” in the long run will save you money. Using elastomeric paint prevents outside moisture from seeping through the wall and damaging your inside paint within few months of exposure. It also bonds better to a well prepared wall reducing peel off for years. Elastomeric paints have become affordable and most come in already mixed color shades.

2. Make a survey
Survey your neighbors and identify the houses where your heart leaped and said – this is it! Observe the house at different angles. Depending on the time, an afternoon sun may change your appreciation of the color.

Ask yourself:
What parts do I want to hide?
What parts do I want to people to notice?
What colors can’t I alter (e.g. your roof, brick or stonework)?
Do I want to stand out from my neighbors?

4. Choose your color
Whites & off whites (Ivory, magnolia and bone white) - It’s an inviting color, clean and safe to match with anything. This is the best color to use with trimmings that has natural wood colors. Plant trees and greeneries around your house and your white exterior will look impressive.

Pastels (Popular colors are lavender, pink, blue grey, light yellow hues) – This is the next best color you can choose if you want it “cheerful”. All pastel colors say the same thing – we are dandy and dainty. Most American homes color their walls this way, not only does it give happy thoughts, it also help expose white highlights of your homes, such as beams, baseboards and cornice. Pastel colors are best combined with white colors on these areas.

Deep colors (Popular colors are burgundy, deep green, terracotta-mustard)

These colors are best for large areas. It creates a cozy and elegant space. Using it for exterior should be complimented with lighter or white shades for the trims and exterior highlights. Deep colors are great on dining areas but not on bedrooms. You can paint your living room with one side dark but the rest using a lighter but within the same color spectrum. The result will be dramatic and your furniture will come out distinctively against these colors.

Other painting tips!
Tips on painting trims, gutters and window frames.
Decide only on the color of these parts once you’ve chosen your main body color. Most designers will recommend that you choose at least one-step lighter tones. The safest color to use is white. It’s classy.

Should I use matt or glossy paints?
Glossy paint is better outside preventing dust & soot from sticking on the surface. Matt finish is best for ceilings and bedroom walls. However, it may be difficult to clean up when kids write on it or when moisture seeps in.

Expanding a room through colors
Ideally, ceilings should be painted matt white to expand any room. The walls then should be at least one-step stronger. Pastel colors opens up small space. Use deep, warm colors to make a large room more intimate and cozy. Warm colors are best in spacious rooms and it stimulates conversation and appetite. Remove tall furnishing and maintain across low ones to create a seamless horizon thus expanding the room.

You are free to republish this article with author and source credit – Written by Roy Locsin for www.constructionphils.com

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