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Value is the amount of white or black in a color, thus how light or dark it becomes. The saturation is the color's pureness. Recognizing jargon will prevent a mistake in color selection at the store.

Consider more than just the walls; paint the ceiling, too. A white ceiling actually has the tendency of appearing lower if the walls are a vibrant color. Paint the ceiling two shades lighter than your wall color if the walls are nine feet or lower; paint it one shade darker if the walls are higher than nine feet. Light will reflect much more evenly in the room.

The lightest shade of the color family should be for the trim, in a semi-gloss or eggshell finish. Light trim has a more contemporary feel than dark trim, which can make you feel boxed into the room. In general, the color to use is the one at the top of the paint strip. The two medium shades are usually reserved for the walls.

Prepare your canvas. If your walls have holes or cracks, they will show through the paint. Buy spackle, a putty knife, and a sander to fix the trouble areas. Always use blue painter's tape to tape the trim; yellow peels fresh paint more easily. Use synthetic bristle brushes and the painter's roller for easy application. Prime the wall if using a dark color on a light wall or a light color on a dark wall. Remember to always keep windows open for ventilation, and enjoy watching your room transform.

Learn more about this author, Alizah Grace.
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