Where to start when renovating your home is not always clear. The question of what colors to paint it in is especially confusing. If you’re having trouble selecting the correct tones, think about speaking with a paint color specialist in Lusaka. To choose the best paint for your walls, follow these 7 easy steps.
1. The first thing we advise is to determine your psychotype.
There is a proven link between a person’s psychotype, temperament, and the color palette they feel most comfortable in. The human eye can distinguish up to 10 million shades, and each psychotype has a unique palette. To identify yours, take a specialized test to discover your characteristics and ideal colors. When choosing colors for house painting in Lusaka, be sure to focus on shades that complement the natural light in your home.
2. After choosing the colors you like, be sure to do test paint samples.
Take multiple colors and shades for testing, as store lighting differs greatly from how colors appear in your home at various times of day. Use samples to test colors on your walls or separate substrates, allowing you to try them in different rooms or apartments. Experiment with combinations and compatibility, using lighter or darker tones for accents to add depth to the space.
3. Match the color of the walls with the color of the furniture, interior items, and decor.
The color should be checked not only on the wall but also imagine how it will behave in combination with the furniture that will stand in the room and with fabrics—for example, curtains. Therefore, we recommend not postponing the process of selecting curtains and textiles for later, but carrying it out in parallel, especially since, knowing this feature, all well-known suppliers of decorative coatings offer textiles in their assortment. Seeking help from a Paint consultant in Zambia can help tie all these elements together harmoniously.
4. Choose the right paint effect, from matte to glossy.
Nowadays, you can find materials with absolutely different effects: matte, glossy, textured, with a craquelure effect. We will give just a little advice: gloss will be appropriate in modern interiors, and relief paint will help to hide unevenness. Also, any gloss in paint will accentuate the flaws, it will leave traces of hands, especially in places of greatest contact with the human hand. If you are trying to achieve maximum practicality, use a matte paint base.
Paints can be:
- Absolutely matte – no gloss at all.
- Semi-matte (20-25% gloss): has a slight shine.
- Semi-gloss (40% gloss): has more shine.
- Glossy (more than 70%): shiny!
- Choose the right type of paint
When choosing the right paint for your walls, you should prioritize understanding not just the color but also the unique properties and characteristics of the paint.
Main types of paints:
Emulsion paints– Emulsion paints, which are a popular choice, are made of a pigment and base emulsion and offer long-lasting durability once dry, though they cannot be removed with water. Within the emulsion category, there are:
- Water-based paints are simple to apply, dry rapidly, and have a low odor; however, they are susceptible to frost and water exposure.
- Acrylic paints, an upgraded version of water-based options, have superior resistance to wear and tear, detergent, and humidity, though they must be used with a primer mixture.
- Latex paints are quick-drying and water-repellent, but they tend to fade under sunlight and can lose their effectiveness in extreme temperature variations.
- Polyvinyl acetate paints have the advantage of sun resistance and contain no harmful chemicals but struggle with moisture and can lose color over time if exposed to constant water.
- Silicone paints are ideal for moisture resistance and offer superior gas permeability, but they come at a higher price point, making them a luxury option for certain projects.
Alkyd paints– Alkyd paints come in oil-based options that are affordable and maintain their properties in fluctuating conditions but require more time to dry and can be quite pungent. Enamel paints offer a beautiful sheen and corrosion resistance, but their high toxicity and flammability make them less ideal for all applications.
Silicate paints– Finally, silicate paints, ideal for plastered walls, excel in gas and vapor permeability and can withstand extreme temperature changes, although their limited color range and incompatibility with other paint types can make them less versatile.
6. Consider Paint Durability and Maintenance Features
Any surfaces in the house are subject to dirt and damage, so when choosing paint, it is necessary to consider its resistance to abrasion, anti-vandal effect, and the ability to wash it. Paints with improved characteristics are not afraid of friction, can withstand minor damage, do not chip, and retain their original appearance longer. This is particularly important for house painting in Lusaka, where maintaining clean, vibrant walls can enhance both the aesthetic and value of your home.
7. Create a unified style and color scheme throughout the entire room.
This does not mean that you need to paint the entire house the same color, but the rooms that are visible from each other should be combined in color. To do this, you can use both different paints and combinations of the same color in different shades. For example, if you make the hallway a little darker, and the living room you pass through a little lighter, then the living room will automatically visually seem larger and more spacious. For best results, consider working with a Paint consultant in Lusaka to create harmony across your home.
Conclusion
Choosing the right paint requires understanding colors, effects, and durability. By focusing on your psychotype, testing samples, and harmonizing colors with decor, you can create a unified and personalized home. Consider professional advice to ensure seamless coordination and long-lasting results. With the right approach, painting your home becomes an exciting and rewarding project.
