This Type Of Paint May Just Be The Key To A Brighter Living Room

Every once in a while, we look around our homes and get a sudden itch for change, but then we look at our bank accounts and wonder if redecorating is a good idea after all. If you're in the same boat, rest assured that repainting a room is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to transform a space. You'll be surprised how different your current furniture and décor will look when placed in front of a new backdrop. House Grail found that interior painting was at the top of home improvement project checklists in 2021 and that 88% of people felt much happier at home after it had been freshly painted.

As you consider repainting your walls, color will be top of mind. Yes, finding the perfect shade of paint is essential, but one should also heavily consider the finish. There are many factors to weigh when choosing the right finish for your home. Do you have children or pets? How much natural light does your living room receive? In the main areas of the house, such as the living room, do you want a sheen that will create a brighter atmosphere and perhaps make the room feel less claustrophobic? If so, here is the type of paint you should use for a radiant and more inviting living room.

You will come across six paint finishes as you scavenge the hardware store: flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. The secret to giving your living room a brighter look lies in a high-gloss finish. Brush and Roll Painting attributes this to the fact that a higher-gloss finish is more light reflective, giving the colors in the room an increased vibrance. This is especially beneficial for darker colors. We at House Digest love a good jewel tone, however, their saturated hues can make it hard to enjoy natural lighting throughout the day, something a mirror-like finish can fix. Flat and matte finishes will absorb light, as opposed to high-gloss, which will make it bounce around the room.

Brush and Roll Painting adds that a high-gloss finish is the most durable of the six because it forms a chip-resistant shell that is much harder to crack. It wipes down easier, too, making it very convenient for high-traffic areas with pets and children. High-gloss paint is moisture-resistant, so it even performs exceptionally well in areas of high humidity. Most homeowners won't want to keep repainting their interiors over and over, and a high-gloss finish is a great way to ensure your paint stays in great shape until it's definitely time for an upgrade.

One of the pleasing aesthetics of high-gloss paint is that it has a way of giving new life to mundane colors. Common and over-used shades of whites, beiges, and grays will suddenly feel refreshing with the added glimmer. Lighter colors will often be recommended for your living room as they tend to make the room look and feel more spacious. Soft hues such as sage and sky blue are charming with a glossy luster. If darker colors are your thing, emerald greens and navy blues are also stunning in high-gloss.

Virtually Staging Properties notes that the living room is one of the more important areas of the house to get right. Our living rooms host some of our most precious memories, from random game nights with friends to Christmas mornings with family; they truly are an essential part of our home and, therefore, our lives. The next time you want to paint your living room to accomplish a more welcoming and brighter look, take the extra time to contemplate every detail from color to finish.