Interior Painting Projects For Winter

The dreary days of winter – oftentimes they leave many of us restless for change, particularly when it comes to our home’s interior where we spend so much of our time during the colder months. So, if you’re already tired of staring at four neutral-coloured walls, you might want to consider a new coat of interior paint. Painting is the fastest, easiest and least expensive way to change the look and feel of your home. And, with the bold palette of colours available today, there is no better time than the present to pick up the roller and get to work.
But, choosing paint colour can be one of the most challenging aspects of decorating your home. There are so many beautiful choices available these days, you may end up feeling like you don’t know where to start!

How does colour affect a room’s size?
Generally, strong, warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows tend to draw walls in and make a room feel cozier. These colours are known as advancing colours because they jump out and meet the eye. Conversely, receding colours like blue, green and violet tend to make a room look larger because they ‘stand back’ visually. These are not hard and fast rules however; strong colours such as royal blue and hunter green will make the walls more dominant, and thus closer. Small rooms are best made to appear larger by painting them white or a light neutral colour. Additionally, monochromatic color schemes will open up a room, while contrasting colours can make the room dynamic but smaller."
What is the best way to decide which color is best for my room?
There are many tools available these days to help consumers choose paint colour, one of which is the colour chip. Colour chips have undergone a substantial makeover in the last few years, as many of them are now much larger and therefore more useful. Also, with the increase in size, some chips offer other features as well. For example, oversized paint chips, found in most paint stores, allows consumers to try a colour on their wall before purchasing. Simply place the chip  directly onto the wall and make sure the room or area is well lit.
What colour should I paint my ceiling?
Anymore, ceiling colour is purely a personal preference. Typically, white or off-white colours are used to help create the illusion of having a higher ceiling and more open space. Medium to dark colors will create the illusion of a lower ceiling and a more intimate space. To unify the room, choose a colour for the ceiling that is a tint of the wall colour.
Should trim work or moldings be painted the same colour as the walls, or should they be printed lighter or darker than the wall colour?
To disguise ordinary or unattractive trim work, or to create a monochromatic look, use a trim color that is the same color as the walls. If you want to accentuate trim work, use a different colour (lighter or darker) than the walls.
Will the paint I chose look lighter or darker on the wall?
Over a larger surface area, most colours appear darker. It’s a good idea to choose colours a shade or two lighter than what you want. Clean, bright colours can appear either lighter or darker depending on the surrounding colours and lighting in the room.
I’ve painted my room, and the colour is much bolder than I expected. Is there anything I can do to soften the colour?
You can apply a lighter or more muted colour over the original base coat using a technique such as sponging, rag rolling, or colour washing. This will visually "break up" the bolder colour and soften the look of your room.