Repainting walls has traditionally been the number one home improvement project among homeowners, and that's not likely to change. After all, a new splash of color can make a huge difference in the look and feel of a room--without breaking the bank in the process--and faux painting can add an even greater sense of drama to a room.

Choosing Colors

However, there are millions of colors out there, so how do you choose which ones are right for your particular remodeling project? That's not an easy question to answer, because it depends upon so many variables, including personal taste. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

First, remember that the base color--the one you'll apply first--should end up being at least 50% visible when your project is complete. Then, depending upon how many other colors you decide to add, the secondary colors will cover correspondingly smaller percentages of the wall as you go through the process.

Natural Light

Another thing to take into consideration is the effect that light will have on your color choices. Darker colors will tend to absorb the light, which will make your room appear smaller. Darker colors also look even darker in rooms with a northern exposure, since they get less light than rooms at the other end of the house. If you're working on a room with north-facing windows, that's something to take into account when choosing your faux finish color scheme.

The opposite is true for south-facing windows. The sun will stream in those window much of the day, making light colors reflect even more light than they would in other rooms. That means that you may want to use somewhat darker colors to soften the look and feel of the space.

As for choosing the actual colors, you're free to use your imagination, but many experts suggest using colors that are only a few segments removed from each other on a traditional color wheel. Your local paint store professional can help you with that sort of thinking.

Practice Makes Imperfect, which Means Perfect

However, if you're hoping to make a bold statement in your newly decorated room, you can experiment with colors to your heart's delight. The only suggestion I would make is to do a sample on a practice board before you transfer your ideas into the room itself. You'll be able to get a pretty good feel for how it's going to look--and you won't end up having to repaint an entire wall to cover up a less-than-desirable result.

Faux painting takes time, but it's still one of the least expensive ways to bring a new life to a room--and it's visually and emotionally more interesting than simply covering a wall with a single color. Just take your time and you'll be amazed at the difference it can make!