With a new Paint Remedy iPhone app, the Paint Quality Institute has taken a portable, pocket-sized approach to helping homeowners solve their paint problems, but larger paint predicaments still loom.

“Fear of color choice is a consumer’s biggest mistake when it comes to painting,” says Debbie Zimmer, paint and color trends expert for the Philadelphia-based organization. “They’re fearful of really diving into those beautiful, deep tones.”

To conquer that fear, Zimmer recommends adding a pop of color on one wall of a neutral-hued room.

Fresh Approach
For a full palette makeover, Zimmer loves the look of khaki paired with crisp white, mid-toned blue, bisque and black. This color scheme “can really freshen up their space and add a little bit of a bold color punch,” she says.

Zimmer offers these three steps to achieve a perfectly painted pad:

1. Always prep your surface. This means making sure walls are clean and smooth: no dirt, bumps or leftover wallpaper adhesive.

2. Invest in top-of-the-line products. “In a quality paint, you truly get what you pay for,” Zimmer says. “It’s just as important to use quality tools.”

3. Consider your gloss. “Typically, the higher the gloss, the more durable the paint,” Zimmer says. Opt for a higher gloss in kitchens and bathrooms, so grease or product residue can be easily wiped away.