Pick Paint Colors First Or Fabric First?

Should I pick the paint colors first or fabrics first when I’m re-decorating a room?  

This is a question that I often get asked.  There are some color experts who say you should pick paint colors first and then the fabrics, and some who think you should find the fabrics first and then the paint color.  Read below for my opinion on this dilemma!

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Pick Paint Colors First Or Fabric First

For over 18 years I’ve had a soft furnishings business.  I design and create (sew) draperies, valances, pillows etc. for my clients.  So, I work with a lot of fabric!

Many times, when my clients are updating a room, they not only want new fabrics, but they would also like to update their  walls with a new paint color. So, the big question I often get asked is – “Should we pick out the paint color first or the fabrics?”

In my opinion, it’s much better to pick out the fabrics first, and then find a paint color for the room that goes well with the fabrics.

Here’s the bottom line – paint is much less expensive, and easier to change, than your couch, chairs, rugs and draperies!

I’m always thrilled when a client comes to me, and she has not picked out paint color for her room yet.  Then we can start with a clean slate, and find her fabrics first, and then a good paint color to go along with them.

 

Below is a picture of one of my client’s guest bedrooms.  She wanted to make a cute room for her two young granddaughters.  I was very glad that we could start with a blank slate with this room.  We chose the fabrics first, and then picked paint colors.  It would’ve been much harder to find fabrics to go with an already existing paint color.

There have been a couple of times that the client has already painted their room before they consulted with me about fabrics.  Luckily, both times that I can think of, the client has picked out a neutral paint color for their walls, so it wasn’t  hard to pick out the fabrics for the room.

Here’s an example of that – my client had painted her room a great neutral color, so it wasn’t too hard to find a fabric for her valances.

So, if at all possible, I do believe it’s best to choose the fabrics for your room first, and then pick paint colors that coordinate with the fabrics.

What do you think – pick paint colors first or fabrics first?

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