“This off-white palette has roots in the Southern Colonial style but with a twist—the tone-on-tone scheme creates soft shadows that bring forward subtle texture variations from the materials of the house.”–Ruard Veltman, Ruard Veltman Architecture, Charlotte, NC Body: White Down (970) by Benjamin Moore; Shutters: Manchester Tan (HC-81) by Benjamin Moore; 11 Stylish Solutions for an Empty Corner A colorful door is the easiest way to add instant curb appeal. Why not go bold and make a strong first impression? Color Inspiration: Deep RedColor Inspiration: Deep Red"I'm very fond of cinnabar — deep red with a bit of orange and umber — the color of old Chinese lacquer and good paprika and the pollen in a lily. Use three coats of high-gloss paint over a tinted primer to give it depth and make it so thick and shiny, it looks like you licked it. Then get a nice brass kickplate, which is like putting a bracelet on your door." —Mallory MarshallBenjamin Moore Moroccan Red 1309

And on a Front Door: Deep RedAnd on a Front Door: Deep Red"There's something about a red door that says, 'Come in. Good things are inside.' It's very joyful and welcoming, and gutsy at the same time," says designer Raun Thorp about this terra cotta red entry. 12 Color Meanings — And Where to Use Them These 12 Color Trends Are Dominating 2017 15 Rooms That Prove Black Shiplap Is the New White Shiplap 6 Ways to Decorate With Pantone's Color of the Year Chic Interiors That Prove Pink Is the Hottest Color in London Mushroom Is the Color Taking Over Pinterest and Homes in 2017 Make a Statement With This Season's Hottest Jewel Colors You Should Always Paint Your Home Beige Pantone's 2017 Color of the Year Is the World's Brightest Neutral 5 Reasons Why You Need More Yellow in Your Home Black Built-ins Are the Next Big Thing Most people start by choosing a color. Color-matching systems have improved to the point where you can get close to the color your crave in just about any brand.

But performance varies by brand and that can affect your perception of color. So choose the hue you love, then the best paint for the job. Despite all the colors available, whites and off-whites remain the top-selling interior colors. home decor stores in state college paWith dozens to choose from, zeroing in on just the right white can be tricky; exterior paint color ideas split levelread "How to Pick The Right White Paint" for tips on nailing it. room decoration for anniversary surpriseFor exterior palettes, it's smart to take a cue from other homes in the neighborhood, as well as nature. For example, ochre and forest green play well in wooded regions, while earth tones are more suited to desert landscapes.

Here are some additional pointers. Look at the biggest paint chips the store offers. A store’s lighting affects your take so step outside to get another look in natural light. Once home, place the chips on the wall, next to the trim, and look at them at different times throughout the day as the natural light changes. Do this over the course of several days, omitting colors that aren't working. Keep in mind that on indoor projects, color tends to intensify over large areas, so it's generally better to go too light than too dark in a given shade. But the opposite is true outdoors, where what you see on a paint chip will likely look darker than what ends up on your house, because natural light tends to soften color. Flat finishes absorb light, making the paint look darker. Glossy reflects light, so it looks brighter. In between there are eggshell and satin finishes. Many interior eggshells and satins have become much better at standing up to scrubbing, so semi-gloss is no longer a must for indoor trim.

Once you’ve narrowed your choices, buy small cans for testing. For interior projects, paint sample colors on large sheets of heavy paper so you can move them from place to place without having to paint the walls. Live with them for at least a few days. Observe the effects of changing light on the color throughout the day, both natural and light provided by bulbs. For exterior projects, paint a sample board with each color you're considering. Again, observe the paint at different times of day as the natural light changes. You can choose the most beautiful shade, but if the paint itself is mediocre the end result is likely to disappoint. Our tests find that economy grades of paint don't perform well overall. A top-quality interior paint can cover the darkest colors in two coats, while lower-quality paints might need three or four. The best cover old paint well with just one coat—and most claim to eliminate the primer coat. Economy exterior paints don't weather as well as top-of-the-line products from the same brand.

Manufacturers have reduced the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of the noxious chemicals that can make paint smell like paint, in their products, in response to stricter federal and regional standards. Earlier low-VOC paints lacked the durability of higher-VOC finishes, but now all of the paints in our tests claim to have low or no VOCs, and many performed very well. Flat paints (and textured walls) absorb light, so colors seem darker. Glossy paints and smooth surfaces reflect, so colors look brighter. The degree of glossiness may differ from one manufacturer to another. Our ratings tell you how well a paint hides what’s underneath it, how smooth the finish will be, and whether the paint resists stains, scrubbing, gloss change, sticking, mildew, and fading. Because a brand's flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss formulations perform similarly overall, we've combined the scores into one to make it easier for you to choose. Flat: These finishes hide imperfections well, but are the least stain-resistant and better suited for low-traffic areas.

Eggshell and Satin: Use only on fairly smooth, well-prepared surfaces since their shine can accentuate imperfections on the walls. These paints are tough enough to be used in family rooms, kids' rooms, and hallways. Some might change sheen when scrubbed. Semi-Gloss: Shinier still, these paints are formulated to stand up to stains. They're generally the easiest to clean, but some may tend to dull when scrubbed. They're ideal for kitchen and bathroom walls, windowsills, and other woodwork. Semi-gloss paints require a very smooth, well-prepared surface with few imperfections. Explore Our Interior Paint Ratings Wild temperature swings that cause wood and other siding materials to expand and contract are also tough on paint, prompting less-flexible formulas to crack and flake. Our exterior-paint test was designed with this in mind, so the paints we recommend should perform predictably well in all conditions. But always check the weather forecast before applying. Paints applied in cold weather might not dry properly, resulting in poor adhesion.

Daytime temps between 50° and 90°F and little or no wind are ideal. We painted pine panels and placed them outside under conditions that would intensify the effects of weather. A year of our test is equal to about three years on a typical house. The best paints still looked fine after the equivalent of nine years. Like interior paints, exterior paints come in a variety of sheens, but we've combined scores of the various exterior-paint sheens into one to make it easier for you to decide. Here are the types to consider. Flat: This dullest of finishes is the best choice if you need to mask imperfections. Flat finishes look best on exterior walls, especially those that are older and more weather-worn. Eggshell and Satin: These finishes have a slight gloss and can also work well on walls, especially those that are newer and smoother. Semi-Gloss and Gloss: Most often used for trim because they highlight the details of the woodwork and are easy to clean. Check Out Our Exterior Paint Ratings