By Gretchen A. Peck

Walking into a paint store or the paint department at one of the largest home-improvement stores can be overwhelming. A simple project of updating a room with a new color and fresh coats leads to dilemmas: What vibe or aesthetic do I want to create? What color will work best for the dimensions of the space, furnishings and other décor? What hue of that color should you choose? How will the paint’s finish and the room’s lighting influence how the color is seen?

Welcome Home had the opportunity to ask an expert on color—Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams—about incorporating color into interior design and some of these questions that arise. In her role, Wadden is responsible for the development and execution of color initiatives for the company’s Global Architecture Group.

“This role is unique, as it sits at the intersection of industry innovation, but also leads marketing efforts related to color,” she explained. “That’s where programs like [Sherwin-Williams’] Color of the Month come in. Sure, this content is designed to feature great design trends, but it’s also about educating our audience on the newest and greatest influences that position Sherwin-Williams at the forefront of color innovation.”

There is a science to color—not just how the human eye views and perceives color, but how it influences the environment and how it makes us feel.

“Color plays a crucial role in designing a successful space, just as a variety of lighting and furniture pieces do,” Wadden said. “Calming colors, such as soft blues and greens, feel soothing. Warmer hues, like natural neutrals and browns, can provide people with an environment that feels safe and comfortable. Bolder, more vibrant colors can elicit excitement and bring great energy to interiors. Conversely, deeper shades create a sense of calm and sanctuary. Choosing the right color for mood is essential to creating an emotional connection in a room. It’s human-centric design at its very best.”

To help consumers consider and experiment with color based on trends, Sherwin-Williams chooses a “Color of the Month” (COTM). Asked about what goes into that selection, Wadden explained, “We pair directional key colors with on-trend design styles to keep our audience ‘in the know’ on what the best trends are for the year. We want to offer a balanced selection of trend colors, as well. A few light tones, a few dark, some bold brights—really whatever is the best and most balanced color story.

“And it’s worth noting that we pull the colors from our architectural color forecast, called Colormix Forecast. These are researched trend colors that will be relevant for seasons to come, ensuring these colors will appeal season after season,” she added. “What is unique about COTM is the pairings. We help our audience with expertly curated palettes that enhance the idea of memorable curation. We want our audience to love color, get excited about the great design trends, but also have the confidence to bring a COTM palette into their home.”

Paint finishes, such as flat, satin, matte, high-gloss or chalk, can follow trends, as well. Wadden observed that high-gloss, matte and flat finishes have been particularly popular lately.

Depending on the quality and durability of the paint, wall color can effectively last more than 10 years, though homeowners may decide to switch up the color and redesign a room more frequently than that. To extend the life of the paint application, Wadden said Sherwin-Williams creates interior paints with “cleanability.”

“Meaning, over time, you can clean, wash and scrub to extend the life of your painted surface to ensure it looks great for years to come,” she said.

For Welcome Home readers who may be considering selling their homes in the future, you’ll likely be counseled by Realtors to prepare the house for the market with fresh coats of paint. There is a theory that repainting rooms in neutral colors, like creams, whites and the palest grays, allows home buyers to envision their own furnishings in a space, and thus be more endeared to a house. There is a lot of wisdom to that; however, in the digital age, when most buyers begin their home searches online, viewing one home after the other with interiors that all look the same can mean that none of them are particularly memorable. That’s where a pop of color may help.

“A memorable color palette can make a home feel truly special,” Wadden said. “And it’s not just about bright and bold colors. Effective color palettes are about balance—warm and cool, light and dark, thoughtful combinations of hues all can be curated to create a palette that effective sells the unique characteristics of a home, making it stand out.”