When HGTV's Emily Henderson Picks Paint In The Renovation Process

If you're thinking of making over either one room or your whole house, you probably assume that choosing the right paint color is one of the first steps you should undertake. After all, you may feel like you can't pick out essentials like furniture and flooring until you know what shade the walls will be. However, one painting tip that HGTV star Emily Henderson abides by is choosing paint near the end of the renovation process.

"You have less flexibility in colors with vintage rugs, wallpaper, and tile even than you do with paint colors, so choose those first (if you find them in time)," she writes on Style by Emily Henderson. "I like to use those pieces as a jumping-off point and then pair the paint color with it — ensuring they look good together." Basically, when you're at the part of your renovation where it's time to pick out furniture or hunt for accessories, use what you find as guidance for the color of your walls. This will help to prevent post-painting regret, as nothing is worse than painting a room a certain color and then finding the perfect wallpaper that doesn't match at all.

If you're struggling to choose a paint color, Emily Henderson shared more tips for painting your home the right shade. For those who like a minimalist aesthetic, neutrals are always a good option. With neutrals, you can then infuse color into a room via artwork, furniture, and plants. Henderson recommends choosing a soft gray with just a hint of warmth in for your bedroom and a more neutral gray for areas like bathrooms and living rooms. White is also a good neutral, but be wary of how lighting can change how the shade is perceived — the brightest white could look bluish in certain lighting, whereas a warmer shade could turn into a dingy cream. Plus, a neutral room means you can experiment by switching out furniture and rugs without changing the color of the walls. 

Of course, brighter colors are also a great option, and Henderson loves light blues, medium greens, navy shades, and even vibrant reds. However, it's best to choose these shades as late as you can in the renovation process due to non-neutrals being generally much less versatile. As stated, you can also find inspiration from your decorative pieces, as a shade in your wallpaper or area rug may be the perfect paint color. As Henderson writes on her blog, "Don't try to find a rug that works with your paint selection — if you can, do it the other way around.​​"