How to choose the best paint colors for your home

Far beyond the finish, the painting of the house is a sample of the personality of its residents and a complement to its rooms, being able to vary according to its functionality and determine the style of decoration that each part should receive. First of all, however, it is interesting to start the selection process with a demystification: the colors of the interiors do not depend and do not necessarily need to match the facade of the building.

From this, the first step is to consider the visibility from one space to the other, so that the colors of each one do not conflict with each other. It is also important to keep in mind which surfaces will receive each paint, this interferes with the finish that should be chosen for each area.

In the case of internal environments, especially, it is advantageous to also observe the lighting, because the tones can appear different according to their variations or darken the place too much if there is a combination of low light and dark colors, for example.

To all these factors, the human perception of colors is added, which means that each room must be combined with the sensations that the shades convey. Therefore, it is worth researching, reading about the subject or having the help of an architect or interior designer, after all, it is important to avoid mistakes that could compromise the usability of spaces.

“The most vibrant and contrasting colors are usually indicated to punctuate a single wall, or some objects, because if used with exaggeration, they can even cause fatigue and irritation”, exemplifies interior designer Luciana Vilanova, from Aracaju.

With so many details to be observed, it is absolutely normal for the choice of colors to cause doubts, but attention to these points and some basic tips can help you to have a more cozy, beautiful and functional home.

coloring exteriors

A point to consider before choosing the paint for the facade of the building is the neighborhood. Is it desirable for your house to stand out and attract more attention than others on the street? Or is it better to keep a low profile and camouflage yourself among your neighbors?

The colors most recommended by professionals are also the most classic, which helps to avoid the work of repainting facades to follow trends; therefore, more neutral and light tones end up being preferred, in ranges of grey, beige, blue and green.

The best way to choose your favorite is by assembling a palette of combinations – monochrome or not – that can help to highlight architectural details or points such as gate, fence, doors and windows.

As it is an area that is subject to the weather, it is preferable that the paint is acrylic, as it is easier to clean. According to designer Luciana, the most used finish for exteriors is satin, but there are also matte and semi-gloss options. The architect and consultant Graziella Aguiar, from Master House Construções e Reformas, in São Paulo, recommends the material of the Coral brand, of the Acrylic Total Premium + type.

coloring rooms

Before you start looking for the ideal color for the rooms in your home, it is important to define the possible uses for each one. For a living room, for example, it may be desirable to create a climate of approach that makes visitors comfortable, while for a dining room, the environment can be both more sophisticated and relaxed. Of course, neutral tones are good for all these situations, but opting for stronger colors can give a room a little more personality.

Earthy tones are welcome as they convey sensations such as reception and personal connection, as well as stimulating conversations. It is also interesting to complete the decoration with elements or even a single wall in a more vibrant color, such as red, which causes agitation, yellow, which provides feelings of happiness, or orange, which energizes the environment.

For small rooms, it is important to choose lighter colors, which do not take up so much space and give the impression of spaciousness. On the other hand, darker tones seem to diminish the place and can make the stay a little tiring.

The most recommended type of finish for living rooms, according to the architect Graziella Aguiar, is satin or Toque de Seda, by Suvinil.

coloring offices

If one of the rooms in the house is reserved for a private office, it is normal that the main objective is to find concentration and achieve productivity in the environment. In this case, it is more appropriate to opt for more sober colors, which are not distracting or cause agitation. In this particular case, lighting is extremely important, so care must be taken not to choose any color that darkens the area.

Cool colors are very welcome in offices. Green tones are cool and relaxing, helping to keep focus; the blue ones, on the contrary, are not good options because they stimulate sleep; the shades of purple and lavender are great for inspiration and imagination, being, therefore, good allies for people who work with creation.

For offices, the most recommended type of finish is also Satin or Toque de Seda, by Suvinil, especially if the room is accessible to the public or has a large traffic of people.

coloring rooms

Because it is a more intimate room, in the bedrooms, personal taste often ends up speaking louder. However, as this is an environment that should favor relaxation and sleep, it is important to try to keep objects or details of the painting with more vibrant colors further away from the eyes.

In addition to the shades of blue, which are great for refreshing the environment and encouraging sleep, other lighter colors are indicated for rooms, such as white, which conveys peace; or peach, which shows delicacy.

In addition to the satin finish recommended by Graziella, designer Luciana Vilanova also states that latex or PVA paints, available only in the matte type, are indicated for dry areas that require constant maintenance.

coloring bathrooms

The main impression that a bathroom should give is cleanliness. Although white and off-white tones are the preference for this purpose, nowadays light colors that convey a feeling of freshness, such as green, which is associated with nature, are also welcome.

For this room, Graziella recommends using water-based epoxy paints, such as Suvinil’s Bathrooms and Kitchens line.

coloring kitchens

Generally, the kitchen is a part of the house marked by get-togethers, whether for family lunches or afternoon coffees with those closest to you. To accentuate this climate, it is interesting that the room has more cheerful and lively colors, it may be that the painting is in off-white tones, as recommended by Graziella, and only punctuated by more vibrant variations, such as the combination between red and yellow, which stimulates the feeling of hunger.

As in bathrooms, it is ideal that the paint used is water-based epoxy, such as Suvinil’s line for Bathrooms and Kitchens.

Traditional and good quality ink brands

The Brazilian market has several brands of good quality paint, which guarantees innovation, good prices and consumer safety. To make the right choice, Luciana Vilanova explains that it is important to look for materials that have good color coverage. Among the brands cited by professionals, the following stand out:

• Suvinil: founded in the early 1960s, Suvinil has been a leader in the national market since the 1980s. Its trump card, for Vilanova, is the possibility of customizing colors, which allows for greater creativity, and the concern with consumer health in ink composition.
• Coral: active since 1954, the Coral brand has the most complete color palette in Brazil, with more than two thousand shades.
• Lukscolor: after years of activity in the field of automotive paints, Lukscolor launched its decorative line in the late 1980s. Luciana Vilanova explains that the brand has been consolidating itself as the best cost-benefit brand in the market, in addition to being well known for its perfect coverage.
• Sherwin Williams: Founded in 1870, Sherwin Williams is one of the most recognizable paint brands in the world. In Brazil, where it has been operating for over 60 years, it is a reference for its excellent coverage.

It is worth remembering, however, that regardless of the paint to be used, it is essential that the surface is well prepared, “because it won’t do any good to buy the best product if your wall is compromised with imperfections”, emphasizes Luciana.

Inspirations for choosing colors for your home

There are many possibilities to leave a beautiful and comfortable home with the complement of colors. After the expert guidance, the first step before picking up the brush can be to get inspired, a simple task that can start in a few clicks. Check out a selection of photos with different colors for each room!