Tips for choosing
paint colors like a pro

Paint is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to change a room, but choosing a color isn't always so simple. Here, our top tips for finding the right color for each room:

1Where to
start

Take into consideration the existing elements in the room—furniture, rugs, floors, the view outside the windows. For color inspiration, pin pics on Pinterest or tear out magazine pages of rooms you like. Another good source for color cues: your closet. The colors you love to wear often look great in your home, too.

2Find your
focal point

What do you want to emphasize or minimize? If you have a vibrantly patterned rug, large painting or beautiful view, the walls should play a supporting role. If your furniture is neutral, consider using color on the walls to give the room more personality. If you have good architecture and trim, highlight it with glossy white paint, and if you have elements you want to minimize, painting everything the same color will help problem areas recede.

3Don't get
overwhelmed!

Choosing from curated collections can help. Or bring along a few items with colors you love—a fabric or rug swatch, artwork or a vase—to help guide your choices. You might want to pull out a less-prominent or neutral color from a pattern to use on your walls.

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4Make neutrals
more interesting

Neutral doesn't have to mean "beige." Choose a richer, more complex hue that's a little darker or grayer or one that can't be easily categorized, such as greige, gray-green or chalky brown.

5Take color samples
home & test 'em out

The lighting in a paint store is nothing like your home, so always bring paint chips home to look at them in the space.

6Trim doesn't
have to be white

White or off-white trim almost always looks good, but it also looks chic to choose a trim that's the same as your wall color, or a shade or two darker (or lighter), in a glossier sheen. Or opt for colored trim with white walls. This is often seen in historic homes, but looks modern as well, depending on the color you choose—say, a charcoal gray.

7Choose the
right finish

Satin has a slight sheen and is easy to clean, making it a good choice for most rooms.

Flat or matte is best for ceilings and walls with imperfections.

Semi-gloss has sheen and durability that makes it ideal for trim and cabinetry; it also resists moisture, making it good for kitchens and baths.

High-gloss has the most shine and resilience, so use it on smooth surfaces that you want to draw attention to, such as trim, doors, furniture or lacquer-like walls.