Paint Colors Decorating

Choosing the Right Color - Decorative Painting

Ideas to Fix Any Wrong Paint in Your Home

By Glenda Millette

You took days and finally you found "the perfect color". Spent hours preparing the room, and even more hours putting on the color...and now you hate it! It is not the color you had in mind, how do you live with this horrible mistake? You have options many in fact and most are easier than re-painting the room.

Before you start working with any other option, please remember test everything, practice until you get the exact look and color you want. I can't stress this enough. Make the sample boards large so that you can try several options. Remember if you do several tries and still do not like the outcome repaint the board and start again. Don't be afraid to walk away for a day and start over, sometimes it takes that for the new inspiration to take shape.

The most often heard complaint is that the color is too dark. This can be a very easy fix, I usually suggest going over the wall with a lighter color wash. Sometimes I use only white paint, but not just white paint; it must be combined with an extender product (be sure to check on the product label to see the ratio of paint to extender usually 1 paint to 4 parts extender). This extends the drying time and most importantly it gives the illusion of color, because it creates a translucent look.

Do the opposite if too light add a wash over the wall that is darker; darken the paint by adding a touch of darker paint black, brown, or gray, and add the extender same process as working with the white. Then apply either one with a cloth, roller, large brush, or sponge. Less is more it will be much thinner than the original paint so apply a thin coat.

You can also use a large sea sponge using more than one color; never more than 3 colors. Sponge the new colors over the existing paint. Again practice and also use the extender in all the colors you use. With this technique you will apply the colors over each other, less is more if you get too carried away you get a muddy look...practice, practice and practice some more. The results will be worth the extra time spent getting the exact look you want.

When playing with color, you can add a little brown or black (key here is practice and adding very small amounts especially black). You can add other colors like grays, yellows, even blue to change the color to something closer to what you wanted. Don't be afraid to experiment to find the best one. Use only a tablespoon of paint each time and write down the combinations and approximately how much you put in, you will want that info when you find the perfect combination.

Go to the craft stores and purchase the small 2 oz containers of paint very inexpensive and easy to use when mixing and matching.

You do not have to mask off the molding or the ceiling use the large piece of card board or one of the metal products the professional painters use to protect the adjacent wall. You can find them at any paint or hardware store.

Look at this as an opportunity to expand your color mixing skills and working outside the box, happy fixing.

For more helpful tips and complete directions for many Interior Design Projects check out this amazing 300 page full colored instructional training on virtually any design project. It also has great bonus material, please follow me to http://www.ThePaintColorIdeas.com

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