2011 Paint Color Trends: Affordable Remodeling Drives New Paint Palette

Individual style, mixed with budget-conscious decorating, will drive 2011 paint color trends, according to Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert at the Paint Quality Institute.

"There's no escaping the state of the economy, even for homeowners who want to beautify their homes," says Zimmer. "Rather than diving into large-scale renovation projects, in the coming year, consumers will search for inexpensive ways to freshen and update their homes. Many will conclude that painting is the perfect solution."

By incorporating a few new paint colors, either as accent walls or throughout a room, consumers will be able to enhance their living spaces economically with paint, she says.

Zimmer shares three likely color directions for 2011:

Back to Basics

"Homeowners seeking comfortable and serene spaces will gravitate toward a range of casual neutral and pastel hues to create warm and inviting spaces," she says.

According to Zimmer, "Neutrals provide versatility and allow homeowners to quickly change the look of a room just by adding a few new accessories, without spending time and money to remodel or repaint again. This is the ultimate in practical remodeling, and the time is ripe for it."

Warm whites, tawny tans, "barely-there" coral, and green are some of the colors that will find their way into countless kitchens, bedrooms, and baths, she predicts.

"Well Worn" Hues

Like a pair of favorite jeans, blue will grow in popularity as not just a wall color, but also as a ceiling choice, says Zimmer. "Well Worn Hues" are represented by blues across the spectrum, from denim dark to blue-grey.

"Since most blues tend to be calming colors, this hue helps to create a perfect retreat from many of life's stresses," says Zimmer. "As a secondary or complementary hue, yellow or yellow-green adds a bit of 'spunk' when used in family spaces," she says.

According to Zimmer, the Well Worn Hues can be used virtually anywhere in a home.

Shimmer and Shine

For thrifty consumers looking for a bit of sparkle, higher paint sheens and metallic finishes are on the radar for 2011, says Zimmer.

"Don't be surprised if you see spaces such as hallways and living areas painted top-to-bottom in a very glossy hue. More gloss means more reflectivity which means more light. Gloss can subtly create a brighter, more upbeat mood in a home. At the same time, it adds style and pizzazz," she says.

According to Zimmer, dining rooms and master bedroom and bath spaces are the perfect areas for this sophisticated choice.

Coupled with the "high shine" trend, gold will return as both an in-demand paint hue and a key metallic choice, she adds.

"Paint color is a homeowner's most versatile decorating tool," says Zimmer. "You can use it to change the appearance of a room, the perception of its size, and even how warm or cool it feels, through the simple use of paint color."

For more information on color and decorating, or to download the Paint Quality Institute's free app, visit www.paintquality.com. 

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Budget-Friendly Paint Projects To Spruce Up Your Home This Fall

(MS) -- Given the sluggish economy, now is not the time most of us want to spring for a costly remodeling project. But you don't have to spend a lot of money to spruce up your home with paint.

The nation's number one do-it-yourself project holds that title for a reason (two reasons, actually): Painting is easy and it's inexpensive, making it just right for budget-minded consumers.

What's more, even small paint projects can greatly enhance the appearance of your home. Here are some quick ways to get a lot of mileage out of a little paint, according to Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute:

Paint just an interior accent wall. Don't have the time or energy to paint an entire room? Give the space an exciting new look by painting just one wall in a different color. A so-called accent wall can add visual interest to a room and introduce another hue into your color scheme.

Paint the area above (or below) a chair rail. According to Zimmer, if your home is blessed with chair rails, you don't have to paint the entire wall. "You can choose to repaint only the wall area above the rail, or the area below it," says Zimmer. "It's a simple project that can dramatically change the appearance of the room."

Paint the interior windows and trim. Love your wall color, but still yearn for a new look? Give the room a makeover by painting your windows, molding, and trim. You'll be surprised how different a room can look when you change the intensity of color there.

Paint a room's standout feature. Play up what's special about a room by painting it a different color. This could be a fireplace surround, a curved archway, the backs of built-in bookshelves or cabinets, or something else. Using a strong "punch" color will draw immediate attention to your standout feature.

Paint the front door. Studies have shown that visitors get their first impression about a home from the condition of the front entrance, according to Zimmer. A freshly painted door helps ensure that first impression will be favorable.

Paint just a few exterior architectural details. Even if you don't have to paint your home exterior for maintenance reasons, consider changing the appearance of your home by painting a few architectural details. Shutters are good candidates. "But if you're lucky enough to own a house with ornamental fretwork, call attention to the trim by painting it a strong or vibrant color that contrasts with your walls," Zimmer recommends.

Whether you try one of these quick and easy do-it-yourself projects, or take on more ambitious home painting, Zimmer advises that you always use a top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint. These paints have superior "hiding" capability when painting over dark colors, they are stain- and mildew-resistant, many function as both primer and paint, and best of all ... they offer tremendous durability, so your paint job will continue to look great for years to come!

For more ideas on budget-friendly do-it-yourself painting projects, visit www.paintquality.com. 

CAPTION: A bold-colored accent wall can add visual interest.

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Economical Remodeling Tips on Color Selection for Affordable Interior Painting

(MS) -- With money tight and household expenses rising, there's a natural tendency to put your remodeling plans on hold. But even if your budget is limited, there's one home remodeling project that is still affordable, and fun, too: interior painting.

According to the Paint Quality Institute, the do-it-yourself cost of repainting a room is typically well under $100, about the same as taking a family of four to the movies. Unlike a night at the movies, however, the enjoyment of a freshly painted room will last for years.

Start by visiting your local paint retailer, asking to see the color display. The fun begins by looking through the color cards and envisioning what your room will look like with an entirely new color scheme.

If you're the decisive type, you might quickly spot the perfect color for the room you're repainting. For everyone else, it's usually best to take a few color cards home to view in the space you want to paint. Once there, you should follow a few time-tested rules.

First, when evaluating color options, conceal all the colors on the card except for the one you are considering. By isolating the color, you'll get a better idea of how the room will look in a particular hue.

Second, evaluate the color both in daylight and at night when all the light is artificial. You may be surprised how different a color can look when lighting conditions change. (Paint colors usually look darker at night, in shadow, and on cloudy days.)

Third, consider when you most often use the room. If you are painting a breakfast area, be sure you like the way the color looks in morning light; but if you're painting a bedroom, it's more important that the color be pleasing under artificial light.

Fourth, be aware that color tends to be more intense on a large area than a small one. A color that looks just right on a color card may be too dark or too bold when applied to your walls. For safety's sake, move down one degree of intensity on the card and choose a slightly lighter tint or shade.

Finally, if you are still not certain of your choice of color, buy a small quantity of paint and apply a couple of large swatches to the walls. Live with the color for a day or two. You'll soon know if you missed the mark or nailed it.

One final tip: Regardless of the color you choose, the Paint Quality Institute recommends that you use top quality 100 percent acrylic latex interior paint for all of your projects. This advanced type of paint goes on evenly, typically "hides" the color below in just a single coat, has very little odor, and is very durable. By using it, your beautiful new paint job will last for years.

For more advice on affordable interior painting, visit www.paintquality.com. 

CAPTION: Interior painting is an economical way to beautify your home.

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