Colour changes everything. For many, it's the first choice when designing a room, guiding all the choices that follow. Others start with favourite pieces of furniture or art and then seek out the colour that ties all the elements together. However you approach this crucial decision, this guide will help you proceed with clarity and confidence.
9 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Paint Colour
1. Lighting
Natural light changes throughout the day, cooling paint colours in the morning and warming them in the evening. Warm artificial light makes colours appear cosier, while cooler bulbs can make them seem sharper. It's vital to sample different colours to see how the various lighting conditions of your space impact each shade.
2. Undertones
Every paint colour has an undertone that influences the overall feel. Identifying and matching undertones to your room's decor is key to avoiding clashing combinations. This is made easier by—all together now—sampling.
3. Room Size and Ceiling Height
The dimensions of your room can help suggest the right kind of colour. Lighter hues tend to make it feel larger and more open, while darker colours can make a larger space feel more intimate. If you have a low ceiling, consider painting it a lighter shade than the walls to make it seem higher.
4. Mood and Function
Keep in mind the purpose of the room you're designing, and the kind of vibe you want it to have. For example, you want your kitchen to have enough light to cook and clean by, but also to feel inviting for family and friends. The right paint colour can help strike that balance.
5. Paint Finish
The finish you choose will affect both the look and durability of your paint. A matte finish hides imperfections but is harder to clean, making it great for low-traffic areas. Satin has a slight sheen and is easy to clean, making it great for areas people spend a lot of time in. Gloss and semi-gloss are the most durable, ideal for trim, doors, and functional spaces like kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms.
6. Emotional Impact
Colours influence the way we feel and behave. Warmer tones tend to add energy and inspiration, while cooler tones bring calm and clarity. Be intentional about the emotional tone you want to set.
7. Colour Flow
Not all rooms need to be the same colour, but keeping a consistent undertone or palette throughout the home can create a more unified and harmonious aesthetic.
8. Long-Term Appeal
Trendy colours may be exciting, but by definition they can also lack longevity. Unless you're open to painting again in a few years, consider neutral or classic shades that can offer more lasting satisfaction. Those colours are also more versatile, capable of suiting different kinds of decor over the years.
Tips for Choosing Paint Colours By Room
Here are some ideas to help you find the right colour for each room in your home.
Living Room
This is the social heart of your home, so aim for colours that feel welcoming, while also being versatile enough to suit various modes, from game nights to family time. Neutrals like warm greys, soft taupes, or creamy whites provide a calming backdrop and pair well with changing decor. If you want more personality, try muted blues, sage greens, or terracotta tones for warmth and depth.
Kitchen
Kitchens are task areas, where the work of cooking, hosting, and cleaning happen. So look for colours that energize without overwhelming. Soft whites, buttery yellows, and warm greiges can all work well. You can also add character with a bold accent colour like navy or forest green on cabinets, doors, and trim.
Dining Room
Dining rooms can be a great place to branch out with moodier or richer colours. Deep navy, burgundy, or charcoal can add a sophisticated touch while also creating an intimate vibe, encouraging long meals and lingering conversation. As always, sample colours to make sure they complement your table, chairs, light fixtures, etc.
Bedroom
Your bedroom should feel serene. It's where we prepare for the day and prepare to rest. Consider pale blues, lavenders, warm neutrals, and misty greens to promote relaxation. It's typically best to avoid overly bright or stimulating colours, unless they help you get going in the morning.
Bathroom
Crisp, light-reflecting shades can help bathrooms feel fresh and airy. Consider clean whites, seafoam greens, soft greys, and pale blues to create a spa-like atmosphere. Make sure to use a satin, gloss, or semi-gloss finish for water resistance and durability.
Home Office
The atmosphere of your home office should support focus and creativity. Soft greens, mid-tone blues, or grounded neutrals can do just that while also reducing eye strain. To bring a little energy, consider a bright colour for trim, doors, or even an accent wall.
Kids' Rooms and Nurseries
The right kids' room colours will promote imagination and play, but also rest and comfort. Pastels and muted rainbow tones work well and are versatile enough to grow with your little one. Consider using accent colours to inject personality and using a low-maintenance finish.
Hallways and Entryways
These transitional spaces are high traffic and go a long way in setting the tone for a home. Light neutrals help them feel open and easy to navigate, but you can also use these limited spaces to make a statement with something bolder. Just make sure to sample and balance any darker colours with sufficient light.
The Psychology Behind Paint Colours: What Each Shade Conveys
Colours prompt emotions. Every hue is nuanced, but here are some basic properties to consider when choosing colours for your home.
Blues are great for bedrooms, offices, and bathrooms, where they can add a sense of peace, calm, and focus.
Greens can bring a nature-inspired sense of harmony and growth, perfect for living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.
Yellows effectively bring sunshine indoors, adding warmth and energy to kitchens, entryways, hallways, and dining areas.
Reds inject energy and excitement, making them effective in small doses in dining rooms, accent walls, and a variety of social spaces.
Oranges are lively and playful, perfect for playrooms, home gyms, studios, and kids' rooms.
Purples evoke sophistication and imagination, making them wonderful for bedrooms, meditation spaces, and accent walls.
Pinks are great not just for nurseries but also for bedrooms, bathrooms, and any space you want to feel joyful and fun.
Browns can create cosy and reassuring environments, which makes them great for living rooms and home offices, studies, and libraries.
Greys help create an austere and sophisticated vibe, perfect for any room you want people to linger in.
Blacks add drama and elegance, making them powerful for accent walls and dining rooms, and even bathrooms.
Whites evoke cleanliness and clarity, ideal especially for small rooms with limited light.
How to Test Paint Colours
Samplize makes finding your perfect colours easy with a stress-free and mess-free sampling process. Here's how it works.
Step One: Choose Your Samples
Start by browsing our huge collection of paint colours, starting here. You can go with our bundles or handpick a stack of samples in just a few minutes. Finish your order, and your peel-and-stick samples will arrive on your doorstep the very next day.
Step Two: Peel and Stick
Your samples will be painted (not printed) with two coats of paint, so you'll be able to really see how the paint will look in your home. Make sure to test a sample on an inconspicuous spot and then feel free to apply them all side by side.
Step Three: Dream, Deliberate, Decide
Take your time on this step. Turn the lights on and off, draw the curtains, wait for sunset, light some candles—explore how each colour behaves in each condition. After all that, if you don't fall in love with one colour, just repeat steps one and two until you do.
It All Starts Here
Choosing the best colours for each room can feel daunting, unless you have an easy way to sample a huge range of options. Click here to get started.