How to Clean Walls Before Painting: 6 Simple Steps You Should Never Skip

As they grow up, kids change their ideas about their favorite color about as often as they change their socks. So how is a parent to choose what color to paint a kid’s room? While a soft blue might be your idea of the perfect backdrop for a crib, by the time your child has any input, he may well deem it too “babyish.” Instead, choose a color that your kids can grow with, and focus on swapping linens and accessories out as they mature. Your kids’ ideas about what color to paint their rooms may not be quite up your alley. But try hard to let them have input! It will give them a sense of ownership. With any luck, that will translate into good stewardship—perhaps even in the form of keeping the rooms clean. If they choose bold colors you think may overwhelm the room, compromise by using them as accents on one wall, as a border, or as the backing to a bookshelf. And painting trim and ceilings isn’t off-limits; these don’t have to be white. Looking to start off strong? Before you settle on an idea for the color of your kids’ rooms, click through these seven favorite paint jobs for bright ideas that are sure to stay in style.

Your home is your refuge, so why not paint it in soothing hues? Create a tranquil, spaa-like space with these stunning paint colors.

One day? Two? How many coats? We answer all these questions and more in this guide on how long it takes to paint a room.

It’s no surprise that a fresh coat of paint can increase the value of your home, but a Zillow study shows that the top colors are not all neutrals.

Step away from the paintbrush! You might just be committing one of the most common color mistakes. Before you decide on a paint color for the room you’re redecorating, take a step back and gather inspiration. Discover ideas by flipping through magazines and collecting imagery that appeals to you. Then, put them together in a folder or portfolio you can peruse when you have leisure time. As you review your choices, define the mood you want to evoke. Will this room be the place where you relax and unwind? Or, do you want the color to bring energy into the space? The ideas that bubble to the top will lay the groundwork for the room’s color palette.You don’t necessarily have to start from scratch. Let colors from key elements that you love throughout your home inform your choices. Once you have an idea of the colors you want, take full advantage of the sample sizes available at the paint store. Paint a few 2×2-foot squares in different areas of the room, and live with them for about a week. Take note of what you like and dislike at different times of the day, in both natural and artificial light. Wading through paint colors for your next room can be overwhelming, but don’t lose hope. Some of the top color experts weigh in on what to avoid when beautifying your home. Click through to read their advice.

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