Is Working With An Interior Paint Color Consultant Worth It? (And Other FAQs)

An interior paint color consultant is a professional who comes to your home or business to help you choose a color for your space. Color consultants are often trained in color theory and interior design and they use their expertise to make color suggestions that fit your personal style and your goals. Working with a color consultant can save you the stress of picking a color on your own and help you find a color you’ll be happy with for years to come. PMV works closely with a local color consultant and we thought we’d answer some of the common questions we get around this service.

1. How much does a color consultation cost (and is it worth it)?

Each color consultant sets their own rates. In general, an hour-long consultation can cost anywhere from $50 to $400.

A color consultation is worth it if:

• You feel overwhelmed about picking a new paint color for your home.
• You are making additional updates like new floors or new countertops and want the space to feel cohesive.
• You have children or pets and want to choose a color that will hide fingerprints and dirt.
• The space has something unique (size, shape, natural light) that makes picking a color challenging.
• You have a specific style or aesthetic in mind but aren’t sure how to achieve it.
• You want each room of your home to flow seamlessly into the next.

A color consultation is especially worth it for PMV clients because we offer them at no extra cost! We work with an experienced interior designer, Joye Mayer, who will talk through your ideas and help you find the perfect color for your project.

2. What exactly happens during a color consultation?

A color consultation usually begins by sharing project details with the consultant. Which rooms are you painting? Are you painting the walls, ceiling, and trim? Do you already have color ideas? If you have other updates planned, like new countertops or floors, mention these as well. This way, the consultant has all the information they need to make the best recommendation for your space.

The next step is to schedule a visit. The consultant will come to your home, walk around the space, and ask additional questions about what’s working well, what’s not working well, and your goals. One of the most important aspects of this meeting is for the consultant to spend time getting to know you, your space, and your style. Color consultants are trained to notice things you may have overlooked and suggest colors that fit with your goals and your personal style.

Maybe you’re thinking of painting your family room a neutral gray. A color consultant might notice your living room faces north and let you know that certain grays can look extra dark in a space with low natural light. Some grays can even look purple in certain lights! The consultant will be able to recommend a gray that will brighten a space with low light and make it feel warm and inviting.

3. How long are consultations?

In our experience, a typical color consultation lasts about an hour. Depending on the complexity of the project and any other planned updates, it could take up to two hours. Your consultant should have a good idea of how long the appointment will last based on the project’s initial details.

4. What happens after a color consultation?

What happens after a color consultation depends on your project’s scope. In most cases, the consultant will work with a painting company like PMV to order color samples for you. Once you receive the samples, you can spend some time comparing them and seeing how they look within the context of your home. Once you’ve decided on color, it’s time to get the project scheduled with your local painter.

For complex projects with multiple colors or rooms to paint, the consultant can help you review the samples and choose a lineup you feel confident about. If your consultant also has experience as an interior designer, they can even go the extra step and recommend accent colors that complement your wall color. If you decided on a gray for your living room, throw pillows in a warm yellow or cool blue could be the finishing touch that brings the room together.

5. Is it better to do the consultation in person or online?

A color consultation will be most helpful in person. That way, the consultant can make a recommendation after seeing how your project fits into the broader context of your home.

One of the biggest things you miss with an online consultation is the chance for the consultant to walk around your space and observe the levels of natural light. The same color can look completely different in a north-facing room versus a south-facing room. The size of the room can also affect how a color looks on the walls. Dark colors can make smaller rooms feel cramped, while lighter colors can make a large room feel cold or uninviting. It’s much harder to get this context if the consultant is limited to seeing the space through a webcam or cell phone camera.

Get a Complimentary Color Consultation As A PMV Client

Repainting your home can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be with PMV. We partner with a local interior designer, Joye Mayer, to offer our clients color consultations at no extra cost. Working with a consultant who is also an interior designer like Joye ensures your new paint color is part of a cohesive design where one room flows effortlessly into the next. From there, PMV puts our years of experience to work and turns your vision into a reality. You can get started by scheduling a free painting estimate or contacting our office with any questions at 269.276.0907.

Posted in Kitchens, Residential Interior