Caroline Foran of GAFF Interiors is well versed in helping new homeowners make their new property feel like home. Each week in our series, My New Place, she’s working through some of the biggest decisions you’ll tackle on the house hunting and buying journey.
This week: picking paint colours.
IF YOU HAVE a few drop cloths handy, paint is something you can change with relative ease. But despite this, we tend to approach choosing paint colours for our walls with the same level of caution and trepidation as we’d approach our flooring, which is much more permanent.
That’s understandable, though. When you move into your brand new build, you want to get it right; you want to love it. The good news is that there are steps you can take to ensure you do get it right and can enjoy your lovely painted home from the minute you walk in the door.
Here’s what to keep in mind as you pick out the colours for your new build.
1. Choose safe neutrals
Chances are that if you choose a different colour for each room before you move into the house, you’ll end up with colours that either don’t suit your personal style or the space itself. New builds usually come with painting included, so rather than go through a rainbow of colours room by room, a better option is to play it safe, at least until you’re all moved in. Choose very neutral colours, such as a bright or strong white, across the entire house.
Though using one neutral colour might seem less exciting at the start, it gives you the chance to live in the space before committing to a colour you might not end up liking.
2. Get a feel for each room
Once you move in and get a feel for the house, you can then choose colours based on your intuition and what feels right for that particular room.
You could also take the route of deciding on anchor furniture pieces, such as a statement sofa that you’ve fallen in love with, and then think about the colours that would complement it. Starting your room design around a focal point helps to narrow your choices. Another tip: if you’re afraid to go straight for paint on the walls, find a wall print that features the colour you’re considering, hang it up on your neutral wall, and see how you feel about it over time.
3. Ask yourself these questions
There’s a set of questions you should always ask yourself when it comes to painting any room. First, does it get a lot of natural light? If so, you’ll get away with bolder colours, should you fancy going in that direction. If not, you might want to brighten things up.
Second, what time of the day will you use the room? What’s the function of the room? If it’s for sleeping, you’ll likely want more tranquil tones.
Finally, do you want to make the space feel open and bigger, or cosy and intimate? Answering this question will help you determine whether to go for advancing colours, which are warmer tones, or receding colours, which are cooler tones that create the illusion of more space.
Glenveagh Homes understands that buying a home is possibly the biggest decision you will ever make in your life – but we want to make it your easiest. That’s why we produce high-quality homes in great areas at competitive prices. Click here to learn more and discover the Glenveagh home that’s right for you.
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