We’re getting ready to update the kids’ rooms. As much as it hurts this mom’s heart to do it, we’re morphing them into spaces that look a little less “nursery” and a little more “big kid.” (*sniff, sniff.*)

When re-doing a room, picking a paint hue is the most difficult decision for me. I am just not a person who can envision a space being a different color until it’s….well, a different color. And, once the room is painted, if that different color isn’t what I wanted, changing it is hard work (and expensive).

Enter my husband’s bright ideas. About many things, really, but in this instance, his unbelievable Photoshop skills and how they can apply to this quandary.

How would G’s room look….

if the walls were green?

And if I wanted R’s room to be….

a little more — bright?

If you (or anyone you know) are a Photoshop whiz/guru/user, here’s simple instructions on how to achieve this “try before you buy” paint color effect:

Using the polygon lasso tool, select all of the painted walls/areas. Press CTRL-J (CMD-J) to create a new layer with the wall selection. Apply a color fill layer style and set the blend mode of both the layer style AND the layer to (color). Change the color fill to adjust the color of the wall.

If you don’t have access to Photoshop, Glidden Paint has a fun, interactive “Room Painter” that achieves a similar “whole room painted” effect — helping you visualize your painting project a little easier!

Photoshopping paint colors (before I paint) works for me!

Check out the other WFMW ideas over at We Are THAT Family!