Selecting a new paint color for a room in your home—or the entire exterior!—is an exciting moment. Nothing more quickly and inexpensively updates your style, refreshes the mood and makes a space look brand new again.

Unfortunately, mistakes can be made when deciding on a color, so be sure to avoid the following when choosing a new hue.  
 
Making a quick decision. There are so many appealing colors to choose from that it’s easy to select a shade without the proper due diligence. And the ramifications of the wrong color can be hugely disappointing and expensive. Narrow down your decision to a few choices and get samples from the paint store. Paint them on the intended walls and watch them for a few days. See how they change as the light shifts throughout the day. Living with a color for a bit will help determine if it’s right for you.

Placing samples too close together. If you’re considering several options, be sure not to paint your wall swatches too close together. They’ll distract from each other or blend together if it’s varying shades of the same hue.
 
Not taking your furniture into consideration. Keep in mind that your paint serves as the backdrop for your entire decor scheme. Paint a small board with the color you’re leaning toward and place it in different parts of the room to see how it plays throughout the day with furniture, artwork, flooring, etc. This will help ensure it’s the best possible choice.

Not looking at the undertone. If you’re choosing a white or neutral color, be sure to consider the undertone. Certain whites lean toward yellow, others are cooler with a hint of blue. Consider how the undertones will draw out similar tones in your furniture or woods to make sure they’re complementary.

Staying away from bold colors. Many people feel they have to play it safe and stick to muted or neutral tones when it comes to paint; however, with all the amazing bold colors being offered, you could be missing out on a real style boost to your home. Check out some of the popular blue shades on the market now, as well as rich greens and deep grays.

Source: Real Simple