Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by the massive selection of paint colors out there. How do you even start? First, let’s start with the basics of paint, as lighting and undertones greatly impact how the paint will look inside your home. Secondly, if you’re a bit timid with *color* there are tons of neutral paint hues out there! Let’s dive in!
The Impact of Lighting on Paint Colors
Different types of light can drastically change the appearance of paint colors. Natural light, artificial light, and even the time of day can all affect how a color looks in a space. That’s why it’s crucial to test paint colors in different lighting conditions before making a final decision. Bright sunlight, evening, or artificial light can make a color look vastly different, which may surprise you. As someone who has learned this lesson the hard way, I can tell you that taking the time to test colors in different lighting is well worth the effort.
To test a paint color in different lighting, paint a small section of the wall and observe it at different times of the day. You can also use a color swatch or paint sample to view the color in various parts of the room.
Understanding Undertones
Undertones are subtle hues within paint colors. They can be warm, cool, or neutral and can drastically affect how a color looks in a space. For example, a neutral gray with warm undertones will appear beige in certain lighting conditions.
When selecting a paint color, it’s important to consider the undertones. One way to do this is by comparing paint samples side-by-side to see which undertones best complement your space.
Neutral Paint Colors
Neutral colors are a great choice for any space because they provide a clean and timeless look! Secondly, neutrals can easily be dressed up or down with accessories, furniture, and even bold accent colors! The best part of neutral paint colors is their versatility and adaptability, as it makes it super easy to play with decor options. As you can tell from my photos, I’m a huge fan of neutrals!
When choosing a neutral color, it’s important to consider the undertones and lighting in your space. A neutral color with warm undertones may complement a room with lots of natural light, while a cool-toned neutral may look better in a room with artificial light. Again, testing paint colors in different lighting conditions is key to making the right choice.
The Paint Colors We Chose
Taking a look at the above photos, we have Pure White by Sherwin Williams with a satin finish for our cabinets. Our living and dining room has a row of large sliding glass doors, so we get a ton of natural lighting pouring in.
Our wall paint color is Snowbound by Sherwin Williams. Looking at the picture on the right, our trim and doors are the same color, however, with a semi-gloss sheen instead of flat. Finally, our ceiling is painted with Ceiling Bright White by Sherwin Williams.
