First, consider what colors you're drawn to. Determining which paint colors you like or should avoid is critical to creating a room you'll feel comfortable in. An understanding of color and its effect on your mood will help you make choices. Developing your own paint color scheme and sense of style is a large part of this process.
Search out inspiration!
Books and magazines are a great place to start. There are also dozens of decorating shows on television. Watching professional decorators redesign other people's houses can be like having a free consultation! At friends' homes, hotels, even doctor's offices and restaurants, keep an eye out for paint color combinations you like. Seeing how others' projects have come together can give you a feeling for trends and unusual pairings you may not have considered on your own.
You can also find galleries of bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms online. Some sites are very specific, providing photos and product suggestions; others provide lists of interior paint colors that go well together.
Using a manufacturer's paint color fan deck is another great way to see all the colors available in a specific line, and see how they go together. There's no rule you have to stick to one manufacturer, either. Shuffle paint chips around until you get the combination you like; who cares if the main color is by Benjamin Moore and the trim is by Glidden?
Another option is decorating software. Many programs (purchased or available online) allow you to upload a photo of your. home and change the "paint" electronically. This is a fairly good way to get a representation of what your finished room will look like. Some include tips from real-live decorating consultants.
If your budget allows, consider hiring an interior decorator. She can guide you through your whole decorating project, or provide a home analysis, pointing you in the right direction and allowing you to work out the details on your own.
