A lot of interior design comes down to color choice. By gaining an understanding of color theory, the psychology of color and the art of balancing tones, it could make this process easier. Of course, there are simpler approaches to choosing the right colors for that room you’ve been meaning to refresh. To help, here are a few tips on selecting an interior paint color to get you started.

With countless shades, tones and hues available, picking a single paint color could become overwhelming. One way to help narrow down your choices is to consider the function of the room. Is the area used for entertaining or is it used for privacy? Being mindful of the function of the room is customarily an important part in choosing a suitable color.

For instance, rooms that see a lot of use and social interaction are typically coated in warm tones, since these are associated with passion, energy and happiness, whereas cool tones are used in areas where the focus is on relaxation or concentration. Although the connotations are subtle or subconscious, the choice of colors could work to enhance the functionality of the room or play against its purpose.

Another method for selecting a color is the 60-30-10 rule. It works by dividing a room’s colors into ratios. The dominant color makes up 60% of the room, a secondary color is used for 30% and an accent color is used for the remaining 10%. The way this may look is the walls are a cool shade of blue and a secondary color scheme is used for the furniture, upholstery and rugs. Then, an accent color is used as a way to make smaller furniture and accessories pop. The 60-30-10 rule often helps a room feel balanced without it being too weighted towards one color or another.

Lastly, there’s picking colors based on a preexisting focal point or source of inspiration. Whether it’s your favorite patterned rug, a cherished piece of wall art or even just the throw pillows on your couch, these decor pieces could be just the key to finding the perfect shade for the room. Going this route could not only add your own personalized flair to the room and make it more cohesive, but it could save you the frustration of finding new home renovation to go with a new wall color.

These three approaches only scratch the surface. If you want to learn more about color theory and applying it in your interior paint, check out the accompanying resource for further information!

Author’s Bio:

Anthony M. Salvatori is President of Steadfast Painting Solutions. He has 20 years of painting experience and has been operating his own company for nine years. Salvatori is proud to be leading such an incredible team of individuals with the common goal of providing excellent service and quality.