A fresh coat of paint is one of the best and most economical ways to update and add value to your home. Like building a wardrobe, selecting a paint palette for your living space is a great form of personal expression. But be aware that the shades of paint you see on a color card or even in the paint can, often looks a lot different when applied to an entire room. To help avoid surprises, follow these steps:

• It's best not to make your final color selection in the store; instead, take color cards or actual paint samples home so you can see them right in the space that will be painted. A helpful hint is to tape four (of the same) paint chips together to get a larger sample for viewing.
• Evaluate the paint colors in varying degrees of daylight and under artificial light at night. Colors can change quite dramatically in different lighting conditions. Remember that colors tend to intensify when applied to a large area. If you are unsure, it is often wise to choose the lighter value of a color.
• Paints come in a variety of sheens or gloss levels, ranging from "high gloss" (the shiniest) to "flat" (virtually no shine) with many levels in-between amid non-standard names. Those with higher gloss reflect more light, adding brightness to the color, and are generally more cleanable. On the other hand, higher gloss paints tend to highlight surface imperfections and can have a harsh feel. Aesthetics generally dictate using the lowest sheen fitting to the use and condition of the surfaces.
• Most manufacturers have low cost small sample paints to test colors on the surface to be painted. Careful where you apply the samples; don't put them in the center of a large wall where there may be a large light reflectance. Blend your on-surface samples out using thinner coats so not to leave a thick edge. Depending on conditions a "sheen-build" can leave a hard to deal with blemish in the wall surface.

A fresh coat of paint is one of the best and most economical ways to update and add value to your home. Your local paint contracting expert, designer or paint supplier can help guide you through color choices. There are many other helpful resources available, such as paint manufacturer and design websites. Some of these even allow you to download your own room photos to view your color ideas. As you can see, there are many ways to make your new paint choices painless and even fun!

Relax and consider letting the experts help you every step of the way.