7 Common Misconceptions about Paint
Believe it or not, there are quite a few myths when it comes to painting your home. So before diving into research and color selecting, you should know these popular misconceptions. We’ve seen some pretty great color choices in our day that wouldn’t have been discovered if it weren’t for a bit of thinking outside the box. So let’s jump straight to it!
1. Dark walls make a room look smaller. Using a dark color for an accent wall can make the room look larger because it adds variation to the eye. Dark colors generally absorb more light, which can give the perception of the room feeling smaller, but if you have a brightly lit room with lots of natural light, you won’t experience this. Also, keep in mind that light (white) colors with minimal natural light don’t make a room appear bigger.
2. Trim should be left as stained wood or painted white. A colorful trim can add more dimension to your space and make it feel more immersive. One thing to consider is painting the trim a darker version of the wall color to add some monochromatic contrast. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your trim!
3. All white paints are basically the same. Most certainly not true! All paints contain a mixture of colored pigments that cause the paint to have more cool, neutral, or warm tones. Depending on your room's direction and how much sunlight it receives, there is the right kind of white paint for you. Check out our blog post, “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about White Paint.”
4. A white ceiling makes a room look larger. A colored ceiling can draw the eye up, adding height and dimension to the overall room. It’s also a great option if you want to add warmth to a room without committing to all the surrounding walls.
5. Eggshell is the best sheen for walls. Eggshell is generally more washable and resists stains and scuffs, but there are so many advanced improvements in paint formulas these days that you can get away with a different finish and still have a successful outcome. We personally love Dunn-Edwards Spartawall or Suprema in a velvet finish. It holds up much better than a flat/matte but isn’t quite as shiny as eggshell.
6. You need to tape all the edges. This is not true! Tape does come in handy when you need to catch drips and create perfect lines, but it can take a ton of time. If you’re confident with your painting skills and follow a specific order of operations (find out more about that here), you don’t need to tape all the edges.
7. You ALWAYS have to use primer. If your walls are in good shape and your new paint color nearly matches the old color, then chances are you don't need to use primer. We always use primer on new builds, but not necessarily on walls that have been painted before and are in good condition.
There’s a lot more where this came from! We know selecting a paint color can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be with the right professional expertise. Reach out to us if you have questions about painting, and we can always point you in the right direction to one of our trusted interior designers and/or color specialists.