Paint has the power to transform. a home. Simply adding a coat (or two) of paint can create different moods, change how rooms and spaces are perceived, and – most importantly – it can add significant value to your home.
So how does it work?
Before we look at how you can create certain effects with the right paint, it’s worth pointing out that freshly painted walls – in any colour – almost always add value to your property.
Chips, marks, scrapes and general wear are inevitable as homes and their walls age. Fresh paint instantly gives off the impression of newness and of a home in good condition.
It’s always a good idea to think about repainting and once you’ve decided to pop on a fresh coat, it’s important to choose the right paint and the right colour for the job.
Painting is usually done last, after all other repairs and improvements have been finished. When buyers see a freshly painted house, it gives them the impression that everything else has been completed and the home is ready to move in.
For buyers, fresh paint has the power to instil confidence that their new home will be hassle-free and to remove any barriers to them deciding to purchase it.
Certain colours are more reflective than others. To create a lighter, brighter room, use white (or shades of white) paint.
While no shade of paint can physically change the structure of the room, our eyes and brains can. It’s well known that lighter, brighter walls give the perception of space and depth, making a room seem larger.
White or light-coloured walls also offer a neutral backdrop for any style of furniture, flooring and decor.
While whites can create a sense of space and size, there are plenty of other effects and moods that can be achieved with certain colours of paint.
For example, dark colours like blacks and browns will generally absorb light rather than reflecting it, which creates a moodier and cosier atmosphere.
Warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows suggest heat and sun and zest. These might be more suitable for a kitchen than a nursery.
There are, of course, many other colours and even more shades within those. Ultimately, the colour you choose will be a subjective decision, but it’s worth thinking about what kind of mood you’d like to create before flicking through the samples.
Even if you’ve opted for one main colour, you can always tastefully add other colours around the house.
Feature walls – where one wall is a different colour from the rest of the room – have often been used to mix things up. These can be fine, but they can be quite striking and not all buyers may share the same taste.
Luckily, there are plenty of other, slightly more subtle ways to introduce some more colour throughout the house. Adding colour to certain specific areas can have as big an effect as painting an entire wall.
For example, skirting boards, window sills, kitchen splashbacks or even doors that are painted in a different colour to the rest of the room can be very striking and add character to the room. This also allows you to accentuate your home’s best features and add some variety without changing the general mood of the space.
Finding the perfect colour and shade can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are some very handy online tools that can make the decision that little bit easier.
First, check out the Dulux guide on how to use colour, with everything from creating a colour scheme to choosing a sheen level.
Next, flick through some colour samples on the British Paints colour chart. Warning: set aside some time for this and prepare to learn the staggering number of shades there are in each colour.
The Dulux Colour App lets you visualise different colours directly in your home.
Once you’ve decided on the perfect shade, the Bunnings Paint Calculator will tell you exactly how much paint you need.
If you plan on repainting your home before selling, make sure you plan the work well in advance. Fresh paint can smell quite strongly for several weeks after it has dried, which can be off putting to some buyers.
