Selecting The Best Paint Colors
- Tim Sullivan
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
The following tips can help you select the best paint colors by considering how light, mood, and color theory affect your spaces.
Start with what inspires you
Instead of starting with a blank canvas, find inspiration from objects and surroundings you already love. This allows your personal taste to guide your choices and creates a cohesive look.
Favorite furnishings: Use a beloved piece of furniture, a patterned area rug, or throw pillows as the basis for your palette. For example, if you have a sofa with multiple colors, pull one for the wall color and use the others for accents.
Art and photos: Base your color scheme on a favorite piece of artwork or photography.
Nature and location: Draw inspiration from the colors of your natural surroundings. If you live near the coast, coastal blues and greens can feel natural. For a home in a desert area, earthy, muted colors may be a better fit.
Follow the 60-30-10 rule
This classic design rule helps you achieve a balanced color palette, preventing any single color from overwhelming the space.
60% Dominant color: This is the main color of the room and is typically used on the walls and for other large surfaces like an area rug or a large sofa.
30% Secondary color: This supporting color is used half as much as the main color. It can be featured on curtains, accent chairs, or bed linens.
10% Accent color: This color adds a "pop" of contrast and is used for accessories like throw pillows, artwork, and decor.
Consider your space and its lighting
Assess natural light: Natural light dramatically affects how a paint color looks. A paint sample seen in a store may look very different in your space.
North-facing rooms: Have cooler, blue-toned light. Use warm colors like yellow or cream to balance it out.
South-facing rooms: Receive bright, warm light all day. Cooler colors like pale blues or grays can help balance the warmth.
East-facing rooms: Get warm morning light and cooler afternoon light. Colors will appear truest in the morning.
West-facing rooms: Have warm, bright afternoon light. The color will appear warmer and more vibrant in the evening.
Manage artificial light: The type of lightbulb you use can also alter color. Bulbs over 3500K cast cooler light, while those below 3500K have a warmer tone.
Work with permanent fixtures: Consider your home's existing, unchangeable elements, such as brick, tile, or flooring. The undertones in these features should influence your paint choices to ensure they complement each other.
Control the size of the room: Paint can create illusions of space. Light, cool colors make a room appear larger and more open, while darker, warm colors can make a vast room feel cozier and more intimate.
Use samples and visualizations
Testing is a critical step to ensure you are happy with your final color selection.
Paint sample boards: Paint your chosen colors onto large poster boards. This allows you to move them around the room at different times of day to see how the light affects them. This also keeps you from having to paint over multiple test patches on the wall.
Visualization apps: Use apps from major paint brands to upload a picture of your room and "virtually" paint the walls.
Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap Visualizer
Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio
Observe throughout the day: A color will change as the light shifts. Watch your samples during the morning, afternoon, and evening to see how they look in various conditions.
Consider mood and function
Each room serves a different purpose, and the colors you choose can help set the desired mood.
Social spaces (living rooms, dining rooms): Use warmer colors like yellows and oranges to create an energetic and inviting atmosphere.
Relaxing spaces (bedrooms, bathrooms): Opt for cooler colors such as blues, greens, and muted tones for a calm and serene environment.
Low-light spaces: Lean into the cozy vibe of a dimly lit room with a darker shade like navy, or use a warm, light neutral to make the room feel brighter and more open.
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