subject: Learn About Paint And Texture Selection When Painting Inside Your Home [print this page] I usually select off-white paint for the walls of most of our homes for sale. We use different textured paint in the living areas than we use in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways because painted walls in heavy-use areas tend to get dirty and worn. Too much texture on a wall makes it very hard to clean and maintain. We never heavily texture in high-traffic areas. I certainly do not mean bright white when I say "neutral." Bright white walls are too reminiscent of hospital walls, and that is not the look most people desire in their home. We've found that most people prefer off-white walls and trim. Whenever we purchase touch-up paint, the same basic problem with off-white paint colors pops up again - there are 'way too many shades of off-white! Regardless of the name a manufacturer gives a particular paint color, it has a base tint of blue or yellow. Those primary colors affect the tone of all off-white paint, whether or not it can be seen.
If you take a tip from creative artists, you will want to stain wood floors to coordinate with wall paint, and use the same base tint for both, blue-based or yellow-based. Paint stores can help you determine colors that co-ordinate, it's all in their numbered formulas for tinting paint. Generally, wood stain comes already tinted as it's available on the shelf. The stain is usually of an oil base nature and is applied with a brush and then rubbed into the wood with a soft rag. This gives the wood a smooth, stained finish with no brush marks.
You'll also need to make a decision about the finish of the paint color you select for your home, which is a matter of personal preference and consideration of location. Paint experts will tell you that a flat or matte finish disguises imperfections in the texture of the wall better than a satin or eggshell finish. Satin and eggshell finishes provide a practical, washable surface that is reflective and wears well in high-use areas. We usually select a paint finish that provides the most practical surface in each area, so that means satin or eggshell finish in kitchens, bathrooms, painted wood trim and hallways. At the same time, we get the same neutral-colored, off-white paint in a satin or eggshell finish for high-use areas and a flat, matte finish for bedrooms, dining rooms and living areas. That's how we keep everything coordinated.
