To choose the perfect colour takes time and requires experience. Follow these basic guidelines to avoid making a costly mistake.

The Colour should complement your existing furniture and décor
On of the safest options is to paint your walls in the same colour as the background colour of the upholstery on your furniture, but go a shade or tow lighter. The same goes for furniture that is upholstered in monotone fabrics.

Another safe bet is to paint the walls white, or choose a neutral colour such as sand. You can then paint one or two walls a brighter accent colour, or use a darker shade as the main colour, to create a focal point. For even greater contrast, use a textured or metal paint, for example a silver finish, on the focus walls.

If you want to experiment with a bright colour, remember that colour has a psychological effect and therefore it may influence the atmosphere in the room. Hues of blue and green are cool and calming and the softer shades are ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms. But a room that has been painted a bright blue form ceiling to floor may start to feel depressing after a while. Orange and red are warm, passionate colours and they simulate creativity. These shades work really well in a dining room where you'll entertain a lot, or a work room where you want to feel inspired, but they are not the best choice for a space that is used for relaxation.

The Colour should appeal to you
There is no point in choosing a colour that is fashionable or one that is considered stylish, such as grey, if it does not appeal to you. After all, you have to live with it and look at it every day, so it's important to choose something that works for you. It should make you feel good when you walk into the room.

Choose the right shade
Get paint swatches from Duraline to help you decide. Cut out the ones you like and stick them onto the wall that you will be painting. Work with a single swatch at a time, and step back and try and imagine what it would look like if the entire wall was painted in that colour. Remember that the colour will appear about two shades darker when used on a large surface, so go for one or two shades lighter than your original choice. Look at the swatches at different times of the day. If the room gets morning sun, it'll look different in the afternoon when it is in the shade. If you are still not sure, ask Duraline to mix a small amount for you. Paint a large block before making your decision and buying paint for the whole room.

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