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Home > Project Files > Buying Guides > Paint Basics

Buying Guide: Paint Basics
Paint Basics: Choosing the Right Colour and Finish  

Nothing brightens the look of a room like a fresh coat of paint, but where do you start? Read on to learn how you can use different paint types, finishes and colours to bring out the best in your home.
Paint Types  
The two main paint categories are alkyds and latex. Latex paints are water-based which means they dry quickly and are easy to clean with soap and water. This makes them a very popular paint choice for Do-It-Yourselfers. If you want to paint a room in your home over the weekend , latex is definitely the way to go. Alkyds are oil-based paints. They require solvents for clean-up, have strong odours and take longer to dry but they are hard wearing for high traffic areas and will adhere better to difficult surfaces. Alkyds are a popular choice for interior or exterior trim and woodwork. Whichever type you choose, remember that oil and water don't mix! So if you need to mix or layer your paints, be sure to stick with one or the other.
Paint Finishes  
Paint FinishesFinish (also called sheen) refers to how glossy paint is after it has dried. Different finishes serve different purposes so consider where the paint is going to go before you decide.

Flat Finish hides almost all surface imperfections and is very easy to touch up. It is, however, very difficult to clean. As a result, flat finish paints are better for ceilings or other areas aren't touched often.


Eggshell Finish is flat enough to hide most imperfections but has a light sheen which provides some durability and washability. This is a very popular choice for walls.


Satin Finish provides both coverage and durability. A satin finish hides a lot imperfections but the dried surface will withstand washing better than flatter paints. Satin is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, kid's rooms or any room where you might eventually have to wash something off the walls.


Semi-Gloss Finish is durable and washable but won't hide a lot of imperfections. This finish is too glossy for walls but is a good choice for trim, door or window frames, cabinets and other woodwork.


Gloss Finish is the shiniest finish. It is highly washable and durable for high traffic areas but imperfections in the surface show through and it is very hard to touch up chips or other marks.


The “Rules”: How Colours Work  
How Colours WorkAll colours have a visual temperature and can be classified as warm, cool or neutral. Warm colours, such as reds, oranges and yellows, tend to be more active, energetic and sociable. These are colours which move towards you visually to make a space appear smaller and cosier. Cold colours, such as blues, greens and some purples are calm, relaxing and restful. They move away from you to make rooms appear larger and more formal. Neutral colours fall between the two. Neutrals include greys, beiges and a range of light pastel colours. They don't change the visual space of a room but they do create a stable foundation for your décor which can then be accessorized to suit your tastes.

Light and dark colours (like warm and cool ones) can also be used to change the visual space of a room. Light colours are a popular choice for smaller rooms and ceilings since they move away to create space while dark colours move in to make larger rooms feel cozy. Very dark colours tend to be overpowering and can be difficult to cover up if you ever want to paint over them. These colours are usually a better choice for trim or accent walls.
Paint Colours  
Want the room to match your mood? Use a little colour psychology. Colours have hundreds of symbolic, emotional and psychological associations that can help you enhance and improve the feel of a room.

Red is an intense, energizing colour which is associated with passion and activity. It is also very sociable and stimulates the appetite, which makes it a popular choice for dining areas.

 Red

Yellow is a bright, cheerful colour which reminds us of the sun. It is often used to brighten up rooms which don't receive a lot of natural light and is a common choice for kitchens and dining rooms. Choose your shade carefully though! Very bright yellows grab the eye and can cause visual discomfort if used in large amounts.

 Yellow

Blue is calming, soothing and a little on the cool side which makes it good choice for creating a relaxed atmosphere. Since blues tend to act as appetite suppressants, they are generally not a good choice for kitchens or dining rooms.

 Blue

Green is a good all-purpose colour. It promotes a stable, peaceful atmosphere and is also associated with food. This makes it a good choice for everything from living areas, to bedrooms to kitchens and dining rooms. Due to its calming influence, green is also a popular choice for hospitals, schools and other public places.

 Green

Purple is the colour of luxury, royalty and creativity but it can also be over-powering or cold. Use it as an accent colour in bedrooms, play rooms or studio spaces.

 Purple

Orange is another warm, energizing colour that's good for rooms with a lot of social activity. It is less aggressive than red which makes it a good choice for living rooms or other areas where you wish to welcome guests.

 Orange

Brown is an earthy, secure colour that is a popular choice for living rooms and dens. If you find it a little on the drab side, choose a lighter shade to create a nice neutral base and then punch it up with some dramatic accents and accessories.

 Brown

White is primarily used to create space and a pure white is usually only applied to ceilings. If you want white walls, try a subtle colour tint to soften the effect.

White

Black is a highly dramatic and eccentric colour which means it should be used sparingly as an accent colour instead of as a base.

 Black
Get Inspired!  

Not sure where to start looking for colour inspiration? Try some of these great ideas to help choose the next great colour scheme for your home.

Get Inspired!Your Current Decor: If you're not planning to go with a completely new look, use your flooring, furniture, window treatments or your favourite possessions for inspiration. This will ensure that the colours you choose will match the current design elements of your home.

Your Closet: You already know what all your favourite colours are and how to put them together. You do it every day when you get dressed! Go through your wardrobe and draw colour inspiration from some of your best outfits.

Books and Magazines: Visit your local library and get some inspiration from décor and style books. Even if the books are older you can still find a lot of great design ideas to inspire your renovation. If you're looking for something a little more current, there are a wide variety of décor and design magazines that have images and articles about all the newest trends in home decorating. Fashion magazines can also be a useful resource for choosing colours, textures and other design elements.

Artwork: There are lots of great artists who use colour for aesthetic, emotional and psychological impact. Have a look at one of your favourite paintings, study how the colours work together and put together a paint plan based on the colours you see.

Software Programs: If you want some help with visualization, there are software programs available for purchase or for use online that allow you to see how colours work together in a room. Some will even allow you to upload photos of your own house so that you can try colours on for size. Virtual Painter and Virtual Decorator are two online tools which can help you practice mixing and matching colours.

Your Local Kent Store: We carry hundreds of paint chips from Sico and Pittsburgh Paints for you to browse and select from. Feeling overwhelmed? Ask one of our friendly associates for help. They will be more than happy to assist you through the paint selection process.
Other Helpful Hints  
Other Helpful HintsKeep Notes and Make a Plan: Write down what colours you like, where you found them and where you would like to put them. If you're well organized it will be much easier to pull together a short list when you're ready to make your final decision. And don't forget to take your time. If you rush a decision, chances are high that you'll be painting again three months down the road.

Test It Out: Buy a sample-size can of the colour you're interested in and paint a test patch on the wall. This way you can see how the colour dries and how it will interact with the other elements in the room. It also gives you a chance to live with the colour for a while. If you're tired of it after a week you probably shouldn't use it for the entire space.

Keep It Simple: If you're undecided or you don't want to make a big colour commitment, go neutral (or near neutral) and then accessorize. Neutral colours include a range of greys, beiges and pastels. If you choose one of these as a base, you can then add colour and personality through trim, artwork, fabrics, drapes or any other design element you like. The possibilities are endless!

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