A mantra of estate agents, keen to sell or rent dingy flats, seems to be 'all this room needs is a fresh coat of paint'. We nod our heads like disciples of some DIY-deity and think, 'Yeah, I could do that'.
Before negotiating a discount for a shabby-looking flat, it might be best to arm yourself with the knowledge of how to choose the right paint. The less decisive among us may find that paying someone else to make the many decisions involved in the task is worth it. For the thrifty or creative types, this will be fun.
The most exciting choice, will likely be your first. Picking a colour. Ask yourself if it is really a good idea to create a glossy red accent wall to show off that Vietnamese art you bought on holiday. Perhaps it is, perhaps not.
Interior designer Ed Ng, a director of AB Concept, says, 'As apartments in Hong Kong are often size-challenged, use a paint type and colour that is light and airy to make the space appear larger, or dark and moody if you want to throw the rule book out the window'.
He suggests using light, warm colours such as beige, warm white or cream as a main colour for a home interior.
'Light colours, no matter what hue, are always considered peaceful, elegant and sophisticated,' says the lead designer of the team that renovated the interiors at Swire Properties' Pacific Place Apartments.