9 Shortcuts to Picking a Paint Color

Red symbolizes strength, power, and courage, but at this time of year we associate it most with love and desire. Around Valentine’s Day, it seems like red is everywhere, but in some homes, red is a permanent—and vibrant—fixture year-round. Aside from beauty, what are the benefits of decorating with this strong color? Some enthusiasts cite the concept of color psychology, which examines how certain colors can affect our moods and behavior. For example, as red is considered a very energizing color, it might be good to use in a rec room or a high-traffic area like the kitchen. Color psychologists warn, however, that simply being in a red room can actually raise blood pressure, which makes red a bad choice for some folks. And note that red increases appetite—witness its extensive use in fast-food advertising—so dieters might want to go easy on it in the dining room. Psychology aside, there are lots of reasons to decorate with red, as this rich, vivid group of rooms prove. While some take the plunge and swathe a space in the color, others use it primarily as an accent in an otherwise neutral room—but they all celebrate the power of this warm, attention-getting hue.

Keep your home looking fresh and vibrant by regularly touching up paint in these high-traffic areas.

Paint can set a mood, open a space or make it cozier, and ultimately add that unique stamp of distinction that makes your home yours. No one understands the power of paint better than interior design pros! So what do they choose for their own abodes – and why? Read on for their favorite shades (and discover why gray may just be the new white!) so you can wow with your next room makeover.

DIY wallpapering isn’t for the faint of heart, but with careful planning, you can set yourself up for success—and an eye-catching reward.

Choosing paint colors for your home can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to the living room. It’s a space that is both an intimate setting for your family and a gathering place for your friends. To find your favorite hue among a sea of swatches, St. Louis, Missouri, interior designer Joni Spear advises staying true to the colors you love most. “When it comes to paint colors, I always rule by my heart,” says Spear, principal of Joni Spear Interior Design. “You have to be happy in your surroundings.” Draw color inspiration from a cherished possession, Spear suggests, like a painting, pillow, rug, or vase. Be sure to view paint samples at different times of day to see how sunlight and ambient light will affect them. Here, Spear, along with other interior designers and paint professionals, offers nine colors that are worth your consideration.

Discover the warm white hues that designers love for transforming interior spaces.