What to Use as a Natural Paint Color
Whether you are redecorating your home or preparing it for sale, applying a new coat of a natural colored paint can pump new life to the space. Walls painted with natural shades and earth tones complement your personal design style and allow you to place more emphasis on furnishings, collectibles and artwork. Before painting, "test drive" a variety of natural paint colors by painting large swatches of paint throughout the room. Don't forget to prime the walls with a natural colored primer before you apply new paint, to block the old color from mixing with the new color.
Main Rooms
Showcase main rooms with an earth tone or a soft color, says Charlottesville, Virginia, interior designer Kim Benson. Benson explains that family and living room areas are places where families display a combination of artwork, photographs and collectibles. Adding a natural paint color to the walls complements the décor without detracting from it. "I typically suggest that my clients use beige or brown tones complemented with solid, clean white trim and baseboards."
She adds that some clients would rather express their design taste with paint color versus artwork. "When I have a client who wants something a little bolder, I suggest an accent wall or nook. I select a color that is several shades darker, within the same color family, for the accent wall. An accent wall adds dimension and interest in a sparsely decorated room."
Kitchen
While earth shades such as beige work well in kitchens, bright neutral colors add warmth to one of the busiest rooms in the home. Select a natural shade that complements your appliances, countertops and cabinets.
Warm lemon and yellow shades are popular kitchen wall colors and can be subdued to have a more natural appeal. Benson says that she typically suggests a lighter version of any neutral color for kitchens. "I like soothing lemon for kitchens, however don't overpower your kitchen with strong colors, even if they are natural or neutral. Colors that are too strong can create a claustrophobic feeling instead of being warm and inviting."
Bedrooms
The bedroom is one of the most important areas to infuse soft, natural color into the ambiance. Falling asleep while surrounded by a loud primary color can create a noisy, disruptive effect instead of a soothing, peaceful feeling.
Muted grays and blues can help you nod off to sleep. "Adult bedrooms look spectacular painted with a natural evergreen or sand color," Benson says. "For a more feminine touch, I've used darker shades of ivory with chrome furniture and accessories throughout the room."
Benson adds that many parents like to paint their children's rooms with primary or bold colors. "It's fun to have a bright pink room when you are a little girl, however you can always compromise by using an ivory or light sand color and selecting a bright pink comforter and throw pillows. Use a natural paint color such as beige, blue and lemon for your children's walls and let them select how they want to accessorize it."
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