Colour. It’s one of the most exciting parts of a painting project, but with so many options, where should you start? Lucky for you, we know a thing or two about paint colours, and we’ve got an expert guide on how to find your perfect colour.

Valspar has a number of ways to start your paint colour search. One way to start is by choosing a colour family. Maybe you know you want a blue bedroom or a yellow kitchen, but haven’t picked a specific shade yet – that’s where the Explore Colours page can help.

• Keep in mind any “fixed” items in the room, such as carpet, curtains and light fixtures. Make sure the colours you choose will complement these features – and doing so will give your space a cohesive look.
• It’s good to know the visual effects that certain colours might have:
• Lighter colours give small rooms the appearance of spaciousness, while dark colours visually “shrink” large rooms.
• Bright, warm colours – such as reds, oranges and yellows – bring light and warmth to rooms without much natural light. On the flip side, cool colours like blues and greens can tone down bright rooms.
• Monochromatic colour schemes – where two or more colours of varying lightness and darkness are chosen from the same colour family – offer balance and a soothing experience for the eyes.

• Your neighborhood can be a great place to look for ideas. Pay extra attention to houses that are similar to yours. You’ll see what others have done with similar architecture styles or building materials.
• Your front door and/or garage door can be great opportunities to make a colour statement.
• Try to use colour to emphasize architectural details.