a guide to choosing the perfect paint

DESIGN

The possibilities are endless, and finding the perfect shade is no easy decision.

• Texture of the walls

  • Depending on which route you go, the texture of your wall might interfere with the paint application. The flatter the finish you select, the more the paint will hide the imperfections and nuances of the wall’s texture. For walls that have patches or are cracking, picking a flat, or matte, finish might be the best choice.

• Natural light & room size

  • When selecting a sheen, think about how much natural light is coming into a room and the feeling you want to convey visually. Because of the low reflectivity of flat finishes, it can help give the appearance of a wall receding, while the higher-gloss finishes will allow more light to bounce across the room.

• How will the room be used?

  • When it comes to how the room will be used, picking the right paint finish for more practical applications, such as normal wear and tear, and how easily it will be to clean, is important. For a wall that’s easiest to clean, go for the higher sheen.

• Get creative with neutral colors

  • Just because you choose neutral paint colors doesn't mean they have to be laid-back. You can rev up your neutral color palette by being creative with how the colors are used. A striped wall in neutral colors adds tons of style but still keeps the room looking relaxed. Neutral wall color with a pastel ceiling is a sneaky way to add color without losing the soothing vibe of the space.

• Look outside for ideas

  • Bringing the outside in is a popular inspiration for color schemes. Whether you choose foliage green or the laid-back blues of the beach, exterior-inspired color schemes are meant to be restful and relaxing. Be sure to sample your favorite paint colors at all times of the day and night and with the window treatments closed and open to get the most realistic view of your possible choices.

H&H Favorite White Paints

chantilly lace

simply white

swiss coffee

white dove

atrium white

china white

H&H Favorite Gray Paints

cheating heart

chelsea gray

revere pewter

gray owl

natural cream

classic gray

H&H Favorite Blue & Green Paints

midnight

deep royal

hale navy

hunter green

vintage vogue

lichen stone

When you don’t know what you want or when in doubt just go with tintable white! We like Dunn Edwards use flat for walls (kid friendly we swear) and eggshell for doors. You can’t go wrong with white!