A garden room is a great way to add square footage to your home. While many people think garden rooms are places used to grow plants, they are actually exterior rooms built on the property that can be turned into a home office, a yoga room, a gym or just about anything else.
Garden rooms take a bit of planning. You must find the right place to build it on your property and you’ll need to come up with a design. But once the room is built, you can start on the fun part, choosing the right paint.
Paint is one of the most important components of your interior and exterior design. The colour you decide to paint the room will set the stage for the furnishings, theme and more. Here are some things to consider when choosing the paint that’s right for you.
What Garden Room Materials are Suitable for Painting?
The first thing you’ll want to think apart is what components of the garden room are suitable for painting. For example, a lot of garden rooms have large windows and others are made completely of glass. Obviously, the glass will be left unpainted, but there may be wooden joinery that can be painted to bring in a vibrant splash of colour.
If the room has plaster board or plastered walls, these may be painted as well. You may also consider painting the outside of the garden room if it is made of wood. Cladding can also be used to brighten up the exterior.
What Paint Should I Use?
If you do a bit of research, you will find experts recommend a wide variety of paint brands as ‘the best’. Opinions may vary but it’s a good idea to go with a name that has established a reputation for being trustworthy. Choose one that offers a variety of colours, including ones you find most pleasing and is known for providing a product that lasts a long time.
When choosing an interior paint, be aware that there will be several paint finishes to choose from including flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high gloss. These refer to the paint sheen and there really are no right or wrong answers when it comes to choosing which is best for your garden room.
What to Think About When Painting a Garden Room
There are many things to consider in choosing paint for a garden room. Here are some to keep in mind.
Theme and Use
The theme of your garden room will go hand in hand with what you are using it for. For instance, if you are planning to use your room for yoga, you will want a soothing, earthy colour that is conducive to meditation. If you are using your room as a home office, you will want to create a soothing atmosphere, but you may go with a more vibrant choice that promotes creativity.
Other Furnishings
If you have furnishings that you plan to be adding to your garden room, choose paint that matches the items in terms of colour and vibe.
Intensity of Colour
Garden rooms tend to get a lot of sun during the day. A dark colour will absorb the sun making the room hotter. This may be a desirable effect in the winter, but it will make it uncomfortable in the summer.
Spaciousness
It’s likely that your garden room won’t be particularly large. A light colour will provide a sense of spaciousness and the illusion of extra square footage.
Keeping it Clean
Keep in mind that your paint will start to look dirty over time. Dirt will show up even more on a light colour. If you opt for a light colour paint, make sure it’s easy to clean.
Current Trends
If you look at interior design blogs, you will notice that there are certain colours that are said to be trending. These colours may be great this year, but next year, they may be on the ‘not so hot’ list. So, while you want to pay attention to current trends, it’s more important to go with colours that appeal to you.
Opt for Neutrals
It may seem exciting to go with a standout colour like lively lavender or hot pink. But keep in mind that these colours won’t go with everything. Stick with neutral tones unless you are prepared to keep up with an alternative look.
What Colours Should I Use?
The colours you use in your garden room should be the ones that are most appealing to you. But if you are looking for inspiration, here are some suggestions.
White: White is ideal if you want your garden room to look spacious and airy. There are a variety of whites to choose from including eggshell, stark white, antique white and more.
Nature Green: Green is a soothing colour that’s ideal for yoga rooms and offices. A green that has a bit of brown but is not too dark, such as a nature green, will be ideal for a garden room.
Dusty Blue: Blue is a tried-and-true shade that is calming and conducive to creativity. This year, dusty blues with a bit of gray in them are all the rage.
Lemon Yellow: Yellow has been named as Pantone’s colour of the year. A lemon yellow will open up your room while adding a splash of colour. It also works well with many other hues.
Light Lilac: If you are looking for a unique colour to paint your garden room, a light lilac is the way to go. Not too dark and not too bright, it will make the perfect complement for your furnishings.
Where Can I Get Garden Room Paint?
Garden room paint can be purchased anywhere, from a local hardware store to an online source. A virtual superstore like Amazon may be your best bet as it offers countless options, helping you to shop comparatively from the comfort of your own home. If you prefer to talk to a knowledgeable expert, you can venture into a well-known chain like B & Q or Wickes.
Now you that you know more about garden room paint, you are ready to get your exterior room looking its best. What colours will you be using to make yours stand out?