Small spaces like bathrooms are a good place to experiment with wall color, such as PARA Paints’ Cream Custard (P709-4), pictured on the walls of this powder room.

The study shows that only 39 percent of consumers prefer neutral colors for their walls, regardless of the room being painted. This compares to a 2002 PARA survey that revealed that 90 percent of Canadian consumers opted for neutral colors - such as whites, beiges and grays - when painting their homes.

“These results demonstrate that the growth in popularity in the last five years of television decorating shows and home décor experts is having an impact on homeowners,” said Shawn Graham, senior brand manager of PARA Paints and a member of the international color forecaster, Color Marketing Group. “Whereas five years ago, neutral colors were overwhelmingly our best-selling paints, today there’s more of a balance, as consumers become more bold in their color choices and less afraid to try out-of-the-ordinary looks for their walls.”

According to the survey, green is the number-one choice when it comes to color, with 15 percent of consumers choosing green shades for their rooms. Red and yellow are next, with 13 and 12 percent of consumers, respectively, opting for these two hues. Blue is chosen by four percent of consumers.