Paint colour options: For different rooms of your home

Painting your home is one of the most important things you can do for it in terms of increasing its value as well as making it more liveable for you and your family. But is it necessary to go through the entire place with a neutral shade of white to make a congruent, tasteful job of it? There are ways of ensuring that your home ends up looking great while keeping each room's individual character.

Appropriate Paint colours

Choosing paint for your home correctly is an important task. When choosing colours for the individual rooms, consider factors like the use each room is put to, the furniture it will have, the amount of light the room gets, who will be using it and whether you want it to appear larger or cosier.

The most appropriate paint type may differ from room to room too, and even for different areas of each room. Matt or semi-gloss paints, particularly the eggshell and satin mid sheen ones, are usually ideal for walls and larger spaces, while gloss paints will suit trims and doors.

Interior paint colours for specific rooms

Each room has its own purpose and ambience, so try to bear these factors in mind when choosing colours.

• Small rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens are best painted in 'retreating colours' like shades of blue, green and even purple to make them appear more spacious. Light colours in these rooms also give a feeling of freshness
• Large rooms or those that you want to add a cosy feel to, such as lounges, playrooms, dining areas, bedrooms or other large living spaces can be painted in shades of red, yellow and violet ('approaching' colours) to create a feeling or warmth and of bringing the room in closer
• For large, frequently used rooms, try a feature wall. This can simply be painted in a different, more arresting colour than the rest of the room, or you can try using textured paint or a texturing technique such as sponging to create interest
• Children's rooms should always be painted to reflect their personality, without being so garish or over the top that they will grow tired of it quickly
• Stencils are great for creating interest in bathrooms, kitchens and kids' rooms. Try a stencil in a contrasting colour (from the opposite side of the colour wheel), or a different shade of the one the walls are painted in
• Use semi gloss paint in bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms. It is easy to clean and creates a 'complete' feeling to the space
• Rooms that don't receive a lot of light should be painted in light colours. Don't be stuck with whites, though, try pale yellow for a sunny feel to a bedroom
• Work spaces such as offices should be painted in neutral shades, or try greens or blues to improve concentration

Choosing the right colour paint for your rooms is a matter of considering the use the room will be put to as well as its dimensions. A professional painter will help you with this.

Appropriate colours for the rooms of your home

If you are looking to create more interest and variety in your home than is afforded by painting the whole thing in one neutral shade, choose colours and styles of paint for each room based on practicalities as well as aesthetics. Each room will have its own unique flavour and feel that is most appropriate for its use and those for using it.