A new paint color can go a long way to freshen up a room and tie together its décor. But the wrong paint color can do just the opposite, leaving a room feeling dull, dingy, or smaller than it is. To help you avoid these disappointing outcomes, the painters of Castle Painting & Remodeling in Atlanta, GA, share five mistakes to watch out for when choosing paint colors.

A Painter's Color Tips

1. Don't Ignore Lighting

The color you choose may appear dramatically different depending on how a room is lit at various times of day. A dimly lit room with many shadows will darken colors, while a brightly lit room will make them appear more vibrant, so plan accordingly.

2. Don't Choose Overbright Colors

A statement wall is a great way to liven up a room—but even then, you shouldn't choose a fully saturated color, which can be distracting and detract from the rest of the room. Tone bright reds, yellows, and greens with opposing shades to mellow them out. If you aren't sure how to do this, ask a painter for help.

3. Don't Use Only Dull Colors

At the same time, a completely neutral color will make a room feel boring and lifeless. You're looking for a color balance, which you can adjust by adding accents in one or two other colors. Stick to classic monochromatic or complementary color schemes, or hire a painting contractor for advice.

4. Don't Skip a Color Test

A paint chip is much too small to show you how a color will actually look like on your wall. Before you commit to a color, test it—and any other possibilities—by painting sections of the actual wall.

5. Don't Go Overboard With Color Matching

Choosing wall colors and furniture in the same shade and hue makes a room feel monotonous and leads to clashing when shades are slightly different. Instead of matching walls and furniture exactly, use a significantly lighter or darker shade of paint.

Your walls are a major part of any room's decoration, so make sure to choose a color that fits your theme. For expert residential interior painting help, call Castle Painting & Remodeling at (404) 236-8948 or contact the expert painters online.