Choosing a paint color for your home can feel interesting in the beginning, but it typically gets overwhelming once you see just the number of options are out there. From subtle undertones to changing light throughout the day, a color that looks ideal on an example can feel completely different once it’s on your walls. The good news is that with a thoughtful approach, the ideal paint color can totally transform your space and potentially increase your home value.
In this Redfin guide, we’ll stroll through expert-backed ideas to make the process feel easier and a lot more workable. From refreshing a craftsman home in Portland, OR to updating a condo in Miami, FL, these concepts are created to work throughout various homes, styles, and lighting circumstances.
In this post:
1. Start with samples
2. Utilize peel-and-stick samples for flexibility
3. Take note of lighting and LRV
4. Think about undertones and your total color story
5. Test colors in different parts of the room
6. Don’t rush the procedure
Choosing a paint color for your home: crucial takeaways to remember
1. Start with samples
One of the most essential tips for choosing a paint color is checking it in your actual space before dedicating. Paint can look dramatically different depending on lighting, wall texture, and even the time of day, which is why tasting is essential to avoiding surprises.
“First, always sample your color; apply 2 coats and test in both direct light and shade as lighting can significantly alter how a color appears,” shares Erika Dillman, Architectural Agent and Color Expert at Farrell-Calhoun. “Second, check the Light Reflective Worth (LRV)– the greater the LRV, the more light a color reflects. This can assist you select the best color for your east and west facing spaces that receive more sunlight throughout the day.”
To make your samples work harder for you, attempt:
- Checking colors on several walls to see how shadows and angles affect them.
- Positioning samples beside floor covering, cabinetry, and furniture for a more total picture.
- Narrowing it down to 2 or 3 choices to avoid decision fatigue.
- Dealing with your leading options for a couple of days before making a final call.
2. Make use of peel-and-stick samples for versatility
If you desire a cleaner, more convenient method to check paint colors, peel-and-stick samples are a video game changer. Unlike traditional paint samples, these can be moved from wall to wall, making it much easier to see how a color looks in different lighting designs and locations of your home without devoting to one spot.
“We always advise our customers consider buying Samplize products when picking paint colors for their homes. They offer large, peel-and-stick samples from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Farrow & Ball,” Kate Figler Interiors recommends. “They can wrap around corners and be easily moved throughout an area to see how a color searches varying walls. We like their mobility and that our clients do not need to handle messy sample cans when screening paint.”
Get the most out of peel-and-stick samples:
- Move them around the space to compare how the color shifts in various lighting.
- Place them near trim, kitchen cabinetry, and flooring to see how everything works together.
- Layer numerous samples side by side to easily compare shades.
- Revisit them at various times of day to capture subtle modifications.
3. Pay attention to lighting and LRV
Lighting plays a significant role in how a paint color really looks once it’s on your walls. Natural light shifts throughout the day, while synthetic lighting can add warm or cool tones that subtly alter the appearance of a shade. That’s why a color you like in one space may feel totally different in another.
Another essential element to consider is Light Reflectance Value, or LRV, which measures just how much light a color shows. Higher LRV colors tend to feel brighter and more open, while lower LRV colors soak up more light and can produce a cozier, more dramatic feel.
Choose the ideal color for your area, keep these ideas in mind:
- Notification how much natural light the space gets and which direction it faces.
- Use greater LRV colors to lighten up smaller or darker spaces.
- Consider lower LRV shades for spaces where you want a more intimate feel.
- Focus on your light bulbs (warm vs. cool) and how they impact the color.
4. Consider undertones and your general color story
Even the most lovely paint color can feel off if the undertones don’t align with the rest of your area. Undertones are the subtle colors underneath the surface color, and they can lean warm, cool, or neutral, which plays a big role in how everything comes together. Paying attention to these information helps create a more cohesive, intentional appearance throughout your home.
Kate Figler Interiors recommends, “When painting your trim, cabinetry or ceiling a shade of white, guarantee that specific white works with the undertones you want to include throughout the rest of your home. For instance, a warm velvety white will look extremely yellow up versus a cooler gray wall. Accordingly it is very important to pay attention to the general color story you are wanting to work with which your trim and kitchen cabinetry complements it.”
To keep your color combination cohesive:
- Determine where your main colors lean (ex. warm, cool, or neutral).
- Compare paint samples next to set elements like floor covering and counter tops.
- Be mindful of how whites can move depending upon surrounding colors.
- Think about how each room links to the next for a smooth circulation.
5. Test colors in various parts of the room
Where you place your paint sample matters simply as much as the color itself. Different locations of a space can have varying amounts of light, shadow, and reflection, all of which can alter how a color appears. Evaluating in only one spot can offer you an incomplete photo and result in surprises once the entire room is painted.
Try to get a well-rounded view of your color by:
- Positioning samples on numerous walls, including those with direct and indirect light.
- Evaluating near corners, trim, and architectural details where shadows naturally fall.
- Viewing the color at eye level in addition to from a range.
- Examining how the color looks beside big furniture pieces or decor.
6. Do not rush the procedure
It can be tempting to make a fast decision, specifically when you’re eager to see the finished result, however choosing a paint color is one action that takes advantage of a little persistence. Colors can feel different after a few days of coping with them, and what sticks out right now isn’t always what you’ll like long-lasting.
Give yourself time to choose with confidence:
- Live with your top color choices for a couple of days before devoting.
- Review samples at various times of day to observe subtle modifications.
- Narrow your alternatives down gradually instead of deciding simultaneously.
- Trust your instincts as soon as a color consistently feels right.
Choosing a paint color for your home: essential takeaways to keep in mind
Selecting the best paint color doesn’t need to be stressful when you check samples, think about lighting, and keep your general color story in mind. Little information like undertones and finishes can make a big distinction in how an area feels. With patience and a thoughtful method, you’ll find a color that truly makes your home feel complete.