Next Up

Testing Interior Paint Colors at HGTV Urban Oasis 2015

By: Dana Dalrymple

Follow Dana on:

Hung up on paint? Get expert tips for picking the perfect interior colors from interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn and discover the bold choices used at HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 .

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Scroll For More Photos

1 / 11

All White, Just Right

Although your first instinct may be to browse the walls of endless colorful paint swatches at the paint store, consider your furniture and accent pieces. If you have bold accents in your space, an all white or neutral room successfully showcases these accents and allows them to take center stage.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

2 / 11

Guiding Light

Artificial light will cause colors to read yellow or even blue, so be careful when choosing colors for rooms with a lot of artificial light.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

3 / 11

From Every Angle

Evaluate how bouncing light from adjacent spaces effects the appearance of a paint color in a space.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 Behind the Design

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

4 / 11

Coordinate Fabrics

Cut extra swatches of fabrics you plan to incorporate into your space and take them to the paint store for easy comparison.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 Behind the Design

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

5 / 11

Prime First

If you are drastically changing your wall color, you'll need to prime your walls. Primer not only covers up colors and stains, it also adds a layer to allow the top coat of paint to better adhere.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

6 / 11

Test Sizes

For a fraction of the cost, purchase sample pints of paint, take them home and test them out. Sample pints make it easier to judge how a space will look in a certain color better than a swatch alone. Better to be safe than sorry.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

7 / 11

Paint a Section

Mark off a 12x25 inch section for a sizeable area to evaluate.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

8 / 11

Must-Have Natural Light

Test paint near windows to gauge how a color appears with ample natural light. Different light sources change the tone of a paint color.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

9 / 11

Color Change

Different rooms provide different lighting, so take a step back and register how colors read from different rooms.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 Behind the Design

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

10 / 11

Paint Before You Stain

Always paint before staining, because colors influence the appearance of a stain.

"There is a lot of layering involed in staining," says interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn. "I put all of the colors in place and then test the stains."

HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

Photo: FlynnSide Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

11 / 11

Bold Approach

Dark stains provide a bold statement in a room, but many shy away from richer stains for fear they will make a space feel dark and drab. Take into account the amount of natural light entering a space which can lighten the appearance of a stain.