How to Pick a Color for a Playroom

A playroom should be a special place where a kid can create, pretend and have fun. The playroom's wall colors should echo this, but choosing the right color or colors can be difficult. To make this easier, try using the designer's rule of 60/30/10, with the walls providing 60 percent of the color, the flooring providing 30 percent and the accessories 10 percent. If the accessories and flooring don't provide color, the walls should. Ad Choosing Color Schemes? Use Our Tool To Find The Perfect Color Scheme For Your Home - Start Now! www.bhg.com Considering Light and Room Size When picking out paint colors, consider the size of the room, the amount of natural and artificial light it receives and the paint finish. Add life to a small room with abundant artificial light by choosing bright or dark jewel tones. Enhance a room awash in natural light with a light color. Choose a paint finish that won't show handprints and smudges. Eggshell- or satin-finish paints won't draw attention to a wall or trim's imperfections and are washable, though flat paints have stain-resistant properties. Add dimension to the space with paints in two different finishes. Paint the ceiling in a semi-gloss and the walls in a flat finish for a contrast between sheen and matte while making the ceiling feel more light-reflective. Cohesive Design The playroom's paint color should complement the surrounding rooms. Choose colors that reflect the overall color scheme of the home, but don't be afraid to go with a bold color. If painting the playroom a bold color not used on any other walls in the house, introduce that bold color in the form of accessories in nearby rooms. Don't neglect the color of the playroom's floor. When in doubt, consult the color wheel and choose complementary or contrasting colors. Red walls can work with green carpet while blue paint pops when paired with a wooden floor in an orange hue. Injection of Color A playroom should be fun and a place where children are free to be themselves. Consider the colors of the playroom's furnishings, accessories and architectural features. If the furniture is vibrant, such as bright pink or bold blue, choose a light color that won't compete for attention. The same applies for wall accessories such as framed art or wall appliques. If the furnishings are in natural, wooden tones, choose a bold paint color for the walls. Add visual interest by painting a built-in bookcase or accent wall in a darker shade than the room's primary color. If painting the room a gender-neutral light green, create visual interest by painting the accent piece in a shade of green at least three shades deeper. Making a Decision Don't go to the paint department unprepared. Try to eliminate some color choices prior to shopping. Of the seven colors found in the paint spectrum, the same colors found in the rainbow, decide on four or five you are willing to consider. Once at the store, start looking at the darkest colors found on the bottom of the paint strip. If the darkest color is appealing, the same is true for the colors on the middle and top of the strip. Another way to choose paint color is to bring along a favorite playroom accessory. Select three paint strips with the color of the accessory and you have roughly 20 choices to select from. Hang your paint strips on the playroom walls and have family members look at the strips in natural and artificial light. Allow each family member three choices for paint and choose the color with the most votes.