Are you having a failure to launch while trying to decide on a paint color for your home? You are not alone. One of the most frequently asked questions that our designers get is, “How do I pick the perfect paint color?” The anxiety of not knowing where to start can be overwhelming. We have all been there. Luckily, there are six easy steps that will alleviate your doubt and have you painting in no time.

Step 1- Find Your Inspiration

Find your inspiration piece — the muse for your color palette. This needs to be something tangible, not a photo of a space you like, but rather an object that will be a part of the . This could be a rug, fabric, artwork, or even a decorative object. Click here to see an example. In a bathroom or kitchen, it might be a tile or countertop. Most importantly, it’s something that you love and can build your space around.

Step 2- Define Your Palette

Now that you have your inspiration piece, it’s time to define your palette. Start by identifying the dominant colors. If it is a colorful object, it probably has a variety of different hues, similar to our pillow below. With your inspiration piece in mind — or in hand — visit your local paint store to find the shades that match. Designer tip: Sherwin Williams ColorSnap App, allows you to match paint colors directly from an uploaded photo of your inspiration piece.

Step 3- The Color Dilemma

Steps three and four work in tandem to narrow down your search — deciding which direction to go with your color and the intensity that it will have. On one hand, there’s a reason Pinterest and Houzz are a sea of neutral walls. They work well with most decor and don’t require repainting if you change your aesthetic. Neutral walls can provide a backdrop that allows you to have fun with color in your upholstery and decor. On the other hand, if your furnishings are neutral, a bold wall color may be just what your space needs to shine.

Step 4- Decide Your Mood

Once you have decided whether you are going neutral or selecting one of the dominant colors, think about the mood you want to evoke. This is where Pinterest can come in handy. Do your favorite pins have a light and airy feel or a more dramatic, moody vibe? The lightest shades on the top row of your paint swatch will be your light and airy, while the lower rows will be your dramatic and moody. Not sure which? The middle of the swatch is your happy medium.

Step 5- Don’t Forget about Natural Light

Don’t forget the impact that natural light will have on your space before finalizing your selection. Rooms facing north or south tend to be darker due to indirect sunlight. rooms will be brighter whether it’s morning or later in the day. Thanks to modern technology, most phones have a built-in compass that can take the guesswork out of determining which way your room faces.

Step 6- Test the Color

The final step is the best $5 – $10 you will ever spend — always test the paint color. There are several ways that you can go about this. Several companies offer peel-and-stick sample sheets that can be purchased online, if you don’t mind waiting a little longer for delivery as opposed to in-store sample pints. Most paint stores offer a sample pint for purchase. We suggest painting either poster board or foam core and moving around the room while observing at different times of the day.

We get it, the last thing anyone wants to do is repaint a freshly painted room. If knowing how to pick the perfect paint color has you stuck, take it one step at a time, and begin with your inspiration piece.

If you missed our July blog, “Top 7 Must-Have Kitchen Accessories,” check it out here.