With the vast array of paint colors available, it may be frustrating deciding which one is right for you. But picking out a new color to liven up the living room doesn't need to keep you up at night. According to the Paint & Decorating Retailers Association, there are a few tips to keep in mind when considering a new paint job.

First, light colors make a home look larger. They also reflect light and heat, making them good choices for sun-drenched areas. And they intensify shadows, which enhances trim and relief details.

Dark colors, on the other hand, absorb light and heat. They make a house appear smaller but also can create drama, weight and mass. Used on the tip of a tall house, a dark color will visually diminish its height.

Softer or muted colors are usually preferred for the body of the house. Deep or bright colors are good choices for accents and trim. Deep red and greens traditionally have been popular colors for doors. However, violets and deep plums also are gaining at the portal. When choosing a color, take the color chips provided by the decorating center outside to observe the color under varying light conditions. Look at the color vertically in open shade or on an overcast day.

Also important to consider is the landscape. Consider flower pots and window boxes, garden furniture, benches, gazebos - these perhaps could use some paint, too. A well-groomed look is easily created by painting landscape accessories in the same color as the house trim.

Exterior Repainting and Repair
Got exterior paint that's chipping, flaking or peeling? A little repainting and paint repair can go a long way to correct these problems and improve the look of your home. Exterior Paint Problems and Failures

Peeling
Moisture, such as rain and dew, can penetrate a paint coat and result in cracking, peeling, discoloration and premature paint failure. These problems may be observed in both heated and unheated buildings and are more pronounced on edges and ends of boards and are also observed where water is held on the surface. Porous paints are particularly vulnerable to moisture penetration.

Proper construction and maintenance will eliminate most exterior water problems. Ice dams occur in northern climates when snow on the upper warmer parts of a roof melts and runs downward. As the melted snow reaches the roof overhang which is not heated, it freezes once more. With repeated thawing and freezing on the roof more water moves to the roof edge and an ice dam begins to build up. The melted water may penetrate the roof and drain into the exterior walls, thus causing moisture and associated paint problems. Ice dams can be reduced or eliminated by adequate insulation in attics and by proper attic ventilation. Inside moisture (water vapor) can destroy paint on the outside of a building by diffusing through the walls. Water vapor from cooking, dish washing, clothes dryers, bathing and normal respiration by an average family of four can contribute three gallons of water per day to the humidity. If the inside of all exterior walls does not have a vapor barrier or if the vapor barrier is improperly installed, water vapor passes into the walls during cold winter weather and condenses to a liquid. The water eventually soaks into the siding and wets the paint. This is a common cause of blistering and peeling. The problem is particularly pronounced around bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens and other areas of high humidity.

Interior water vapor can also move into the attic space and condense on the gable ends, causing paint peeling there. Moisture may also condense on the attic side of the roof decking and eventually work its way down the side walls, causing paint peeling near the tops of these walls. To prevent condensation problems in the attic, it should be well ventilated. Gable roofs should have screened vent areas of at least one square foot per 300 square feet of ceiling area. Hip roofs should have continuous slotted vents in the eaves to allow air to enter the attic and ridge vents to allow its exit. Condensation problems in cold climates are best prevented by installation of a continuous 6 mil polyethylene vapor barrier on the warm side of all exterior walls and ceilings. The vapor barrier should fit tightly around electrical outlets, doors, windows and other openings. A vapor barrier, sometimes called a soil cover, should be installed directly over the soil in all houses with crawl spaces. This will keep moisture from moving out of the soil and up into the living space and then through the walls and ceilings. If a vapor barrier is absent, it can be installed under new paneling or dry wall. To reduce water vapor in the house, vent high humidity areas such as kitchens and bath areas to the outside. Clothes dryers should be vented directly to the outside and not to the attic, basement or crawl space. Mechanical humidifiers add large quantities of moisture to the air and should not be used if paint peeling is a problem.

Blistering
Temperature blisters are bubble-like swellings that occur on the surface of the paint film as early as a few hours or as long as one to two days after painting. They occur only in the last coat of paint. They are caused when a thin dry skin has formed on the outer surface of the fresh paint and the liquid thinner in the wet paint under the dry skin changes to vapor and cannot escape. A rapid rise in temperature, as when the direct rays of the sun fall directly on freshly painted wood, will cause the vapors to expand and produce blisters. Usually only oil based paint blisters in this way. Dark colors which absorb heat and thick paint coats are more likely to blister than white paints or thin coats.

To prevent temperature blisters, avoid painting surfaces that will soon be heated. "Follow the sun around the house" for the best procedure. Thus, the north side of the building should be painted early in the morning, the east side late in the morning, the south side well into the afternoon, and the west side late in the afternoon. However, at least two hours should elapse before the fresh paint film cools to the point where condensation will occur. If blistering does occur, allow the paint to dry for a few days. Scrape off the blisters, smooth the edges with sandpaper and spot paint the area. Moisture blisters are also bubble-like swellings on the surface of the paint film. As the name implies, they usually contain moisture when they are formed. They may occur where outside moisture such as rain enters the wood through joints and other end grain areas of boards and siding. Paint blisters caused by outside water are usually concentrated around joints and the end grain of wood. Paint failure is most severe on the sides of buildings facing the prevailing winds and rain. Blisters may occur in both heated and unheated buildings.

Moisture blisters may also result from inside liquid water moving to the outside. Plumbing leaks, overflow of sinks, bathtubs or shower spray and improperly sealed walls are sources of inside water. Moisture blisters usually include all paint coats down to the wood surface. After the blisters appear, they dry out and collapse. Small blisters may disappear completely, fairly large ones may leave a rough spot and in severe cases the paint will peel. Thin coatings of new, oil-based paint are the most likely to blister. Old, thick coats are usually too rigid to swell and form blisters. Therefore, cracking and peeling will usually result. Elimination of the moisture problem is the only practical way to prevent moisture blisters in paint. The moisture source should be identified and eliminated to avoid more serious problems such as wood decay or rot and loss of insulating value.

Inter-coat peeling
Inter-coat peeling is the separation of the new paint film from the old paint coat, indicating a weak bond between the two. Inter-coat peeling usually results from inadequate cleaning of the weathered paint and usually occurs within one year of repainting. This type of inter coat paint peeling can be prevented by following good painting practices. Inter-coat peeling can also result from allowing too much time between the primer coat and top coat in a new paint job. If you wait longer than two weeks before applying a top coat to an oil-base primer, soap-like materials may form on the surface and interfere with the bonding of the next coat of paint. When the period between applications exceeds two weeks, scrub the surface before applying the second coat. Never apply a primer coat in the fall and wait until spring to finish with the top coat.

A simple test can be conducted to determine if the new paint coat is likely to peel. First, clean the old paint surface. Then, repaint a small area with the new paint and allow it to dry for at least two days. Then, firmly press one end of a "Band-Aid" type adhesive bandage onto the painted area. Jerk it off with a snapping action. If the tape is free of paint, the new paint is well bonded to the old surface. If the new paint adheres to the tape, the old surface is too chalky and needs more cleaning or the use of an oil-based primer for chalky surfaces.

Cracking
Cross-grain cracking occurs when paint coatings become too thick. This problem often occurs on older homes that have been painted several times. Paint usually cracks in the direction it was brushed onto the wood. Once cross-grain cracking has occurred the only solution is to completely remove the old paint and apply a new finishing system. To prevent cross-grain cracking, follow the paint manufacturer's recommendations for spreading rates. Do not repaint un-weathered, protected areas such as porch ceilings and roof overhangs as often as the rest of the house. If possible, repaint these areas only as they weather and require new paint. However, if repainting is required, be sure to scrub the areas with a sponge or bristle brush and detergent in water to remove any water-soluble materials that will interfere with adhesion of the new paint.

Exterior Finishes
A home's exterior is a reflection of how well you care for and maintain your home. The paint finish you select for your homes exterior can minimize your maintenance tasks and increase the appeal of your home.Choosing the Right Paint for Your Home's Exterior sounds like a simple enough task, at first - painting the house. Of course, then you get to the hardware store and discover that there isn't just one can labeled "house paint," but rather a plethora of cans, sporting titles that claim they are latex or alkyd, and more color names than one of those huge boxes of crayons we coveted as children. Just what is bisque, anyhow, and is that the shade you want? Read on, as we take a look at the different kinds of exterior house paint and offer you a no-nonsense guide to painting your home.

To begin with, you have to understand that paint is designed to provide you with beautiful color and gloss retention, and that it is formulated to provide mildew resistance and the flexibility to withstand both expansion and retraction due to the weather outside. Exterior paints also fall under one of two categories: latex (water-based) or alkyd (oil), each having separate, unique characteristics. The type of paint that you will want to use will be dependant on the kind of surface that you wish to paint and the finish that you want for your home.

Types of Paint
Latex - Extremely durable. With latex paints, you get the finish that will last the longest and retains the best color. Usually easy to work with, latex paints are very durable and dry quickly, as well as finishing with a porous surface. The porous surface allows moisture to escape and helps to prevent your paint from peeling. Another bonus is that the cleanup with latex is much easier, with soap and water doing the trick nicely.
Oil (Alkyd) - For excellent durability and stain resistance, you may wish to go with an oil, or otherwise known as an alkyd-based paint. Featuring good adhesion, these paints are an excellent choice when trying to cover problematic or glossy surfaces. Alkyd paints also dry slower, giving roller marks a chance to fade away and drying to a much cleaner surface. There are some downfalls to alkyd paints, however; a little more complex on the cleanup, oil paint requires that you use mineral spirits on your brushes in order to get them clean. In addition to this, some states will not allow this kind of paint, due to air-quality regulations. Always be sure to check into these things prior to actually purchasing your paints.

How to Choose Colors
After you've decided what type of paint that you need, it's equally important to consider the colors. While we may say we want a blue house, there are not only a vast variety of blues to choose from, but there are other matters that you will wish to give serious consideration. While we can often cover up harmless little mistakes, you should give careful thought about having to clean up what might be considered a public eyesore.

Neighborhood - It's important to take your neighborhood into consideration. If you have a home in a rather conservative part of town, you may not wish to paint your house sunshine yellow or magenta with blue trim. Almost everyone has had their heads turned by that one garish house that seems so out of place. Keep in mind the color and styles of your neighbors; while individuality is good, you can easily go overboard.

Existing Colors - The existing colors of a home are often overlooked until it is too late. When you go to choose colors for your home, remember that you have to match it up with your existing roof and any mortar or siding that is not going to be painted. While you don't have to match colors up exactly, you will want something that will harmonize nicely with the other colors and textures.

Your Interior - While it may seem strange at first, you want your house's outside to match and harmonize with the inside. By doing this, you give your home a more welcoming, warming feeling. Your interior paint and the color of your furnishings should always play a rule in the decision-making regarding the exterior of your home, just as your exterior should have a degree of influence over the inside.

Accents and Trim
Remember that when choosing your paint, your home should not be one flat color. You should also have at least one other color for accents, such as your trim. Depending on how intricate your home is, you may have anywhere from two to six or more different colors to try to harmonize. Have fun with it, but be sure that your colors compliment one another and that they are not too busy or distracting. When in doubt, consult some of the handy little paint color strips that can be found in most local hardware stores.

Dark vs. Light
When choosing colors, it's important to understand that shades will also affect the appearance of your home. Light colors will make your house seem larger, whereas darker tones will make your home seem smaller. Dark shades on trim, however, provide a pleasant contrast and draw attention to detail. Also note that the darker the color, the more likely it is to fade. Vivid red shades and deep blues will lighten substantially, and the darker shades also seem to suffer more maintenance problems, due to the fact that they draw both heat and moisture.

To Gloss or Not to Gloss
Paints also come in three different sheens - gloss, semi-gloss, and flat. The more gloss your paint contains, the more bright and new it tends to look, but it also has a bad habit of showing up any imperfections in the wood beneath it and brush strokes. For this reason, it is a good idea to keep very glossy areas to a minimum.

Painting your house may be on your "honey-do" list, this year, but it doesn't have to be such a chore. Take some time to consider your options and plan it out, then dive in with both hands. If you follow these easy tips, the job should go much faster and with far fewer headaches!