How to Paint Your Front Room

Stand outside the front of your house and consider the exterior paint color. Although you don't have to match the color of the front room to the color of the home's exterior, you do need to take it into consideration. If you use an open window treatment at all times, the color of the front room and the color of the house will be plainly visible at times like dusk, when the lights may be on inside, but the exterior color of the house is not yet obscured by darkness. Avoid colors that actively clash, for example, a light green interior room and a dark copper exterior.

Paint the interior of the front room in warm colors (red, orange, yellow) to convey a sense of homeyness, family and intimacy. Cooler colors (blue, green, purple) can infuse a sense of peace and calm. Darker colors work best in larger rooms, to help make the room feel smaller and more cozy. Lighter colors in small rooms can open up the space and make the room feel less claustrophobic.

Avoid bland shades like cream and white. If you're absolutely certain you want a neutral, choose a warm neutral like beige, or a cool and sophisticated neutral like gray.

Consider painting a decorative touch on the walls – especially if your front room or picture window is very large. This could take the form of a stenciled pattern, running the perimeter of a doorway, or maybe an accent wall. It would help break up the space and prevent the color on your walls from becoming overwhelming.

Show off any decorative molding or a nice touch like built-in shelving by painting it a separate color. Front rooms are meant to be fancy, so emphasize this quality in your front room at every opportunity.