Choosing an Accent Paint Color
Tips and Tricks

Are you eager to choose an accent paint color for a wall or ceiling but feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities? With some simple tips, the right color choice can be easily found.

Effects of Color

Accent colors can make bland rooms come alive, help small areas look larger or help larger spaces seem more intimate and friendly. They can also affect emotions, with shades in the red/orange ranges promoting conversation and liveliness (some say these colors even promote appetite) while blues and greens tend to create a more peaceful, serene and tranquil feeling. Be sure to pay attention to how different colors affect your emotions since you'll want to live comfortably with your color choice. What works for one person may make another feel uncomfortable so start by trusting your instincts.

Coordinate the Accent Color

Next, take a close look at the room, perhaps with the help of a friend or neighbor. If you've lived in the house awhile, an objective eye can point out features that seem unimportant but could be crucial when choosing the right accent shade. It may be obvious to note the wall colors but don't forget other aspects of the room, including the furniture as well as wood floors, carpeting and even large paintings. What colors seem to dominate the room? If furniture is primarily neutral, the dominant colors could come from accent pieces, curtains and blinds. Don't forget to note the ceiling color as well.

Lighting

Another important consideration, natural or artificial lighting in the room. An accent wall or trim color which can look perfect in a bright and sunny room can look wrong in a small, dark room so be honest about the lighting in the room. If natural lighting is a primary feature, don't forget that the room may appear lighter at some points in the day and darker at night. Testing out different color swatches can help determine the right color for the room and the lighting in that room. Rooms which are dimly lit can look much brighter with light color, from eggshell white to a bright, buttery yellow.

Putting It Together

What colors are best in nearly any room? Of course, neutrals come to mind but they don't have to be dull or boring. In fact, neutrals cover a range of possible accent colors, including gray, yellow, certain shades of green, a whole range of whites (from eggshell tones to off whites) and more. Also, neutrals which are high gloss or metallic (gray, gold) can give a very contemporary or modern look to a room. If walls, curtains and blinds are primarily in a yellow to light tan range, a darker brown ceiling can be a perfect accent for the room, particularly if ceilings are high, giving a much cozier feel to a vast space.

Pay close attention to door trim. If the room contains primarily wooden door trim as well as wood floors, a relatively neutral shade of yellow or white on one wall can make the wood come alive and contrast nicely with the darker tones. If the door trim is painted a light color, a darker accent color can help set off the trim.

Don't ignore the colors in nearby rooms. By using accent colors in the same family, living and dining rooms can flow together naturally and small apartments can look larger if one main color is used with an accent color on either the door trim or one wall. It is important for room colors to seem natural and not jarring when walking from one area to another. A simple way to make sure room colors work together is to take one color and then use shades which are slightly lighter or darker in nearby rooms. They'll naturally complement each other.