Choosing a paint colour can be loads of fun … when you’re ten and choosing between fifteen shades of purple.

But now as adults choosing a paint colour can be a bit, well, daunting.

I mean, it’s still exciting because you’re giving your space a fresh new look. But with so many options and considerations, let’s be realistic, it’s tough.

And, by the way, those options and considerations come in WAY more shapes and sizes than our 10-year-old selves ever had to worry about …like:

#1 What's the purpose of the room?

• Identify the room that will be painted. 
• Identify the use of this space.
• The traffic in this room. 
• Are we painting to stay or because we are moving? 

Busy rooms will need more durable finishes like satin and semi-gloss, while calmer rooms like dining rooms can get away with eggshell painting or even flat paints.

#2 Which paint finish are you going with? 

This one is a big one, especially if you're a newbie. But don't worry, I'm going to stick a video right here for you that will make sense of it all. PLUS I've created a cheat sheet (below) you can print, screenshot and keep forever!

Watch This: 

Also, here's a list of the most common sheen uses:

INTERIOR AREAS

• FLAT OR MATTE

Ceilings; low traffic room walls; As living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms;

• EGGSHELL

High-traffic area walls; also used in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms;

• SATIN 

High-traffic area walls, trim, doors and cabinets;

• SEMI-GLOSS

Trim, doors, cabinets and wainscotting;

• HIGH-GLOSS 

Trim, doors, cabinets and Architectural details.

EXTERIOR AREAS

• SATIN

Siding, trim, shutters and doors;

• SEMI-GLOSS

Trim, shutters, doors and Architectural details.

• HIGH-GLOSS 

Doors and Architectural details.

(Here's a little photo (below) I took inside Canadian Tire - this represents the different finishes nicely - you can find examples like this at any home improvement or paint store!) 

#3 Identifying wall imperfections

The more reflective a finish, the more it will show surface imperfections in the room you’re painting. If the wall has lots of nail holes or patches, you may want to consider less glossy paint, as it will help mask those imperfections and keep the wall looking smooth.

OK, well, if you made it this far, I'd say you're pretty serious about getting this painting done. And hopefully, you're feeling a little more confident in choosing the right paint colour & finish.

Again, here is your cheat sheet (below) - don't leave home without it!

PAINT FINISH (SHEEN) CHEAT SHEET