Choosing an interior paint color is easier when you stop looking at the wall color by itself. Flooring, cabinets, countertops, furniture, natural light, and artificial lighting all influence how a color actually appears in the room.
Why does the same paint color look different from room to room?
Paint reflects the light and colors around it. A warm gray can look neutral in one room and noticeably beige in another. North-facing and south-facing rooms can also make the same sample feel very different throughout the day.
What should you choose first: paint or fixed finishes?
Start with the elements that are difficult or expensive to change, such as flooring, countertops, tile, stone, and cabinetry. Then choose wall colors that work with those undertones instead of fighting them.
How large should your paint samples be?
Small chips are useful for narrowing options, but larger samples provide much better information. View them on more than one wall and check them in morning, afternoon, and evening light before making the final decision.
What are common color-selection mistakes?
- Choosing a color only from a phone or computer screen.
- Ignoring flooring, cabinetry, and other fixed undertones.
- Testing only one small sample in one location.
- Selecting a color under store lighting without viewing it in the room.
- Choosing a trendy color without considering how it fits the rest of the home.
Need help narrowing your interior colors?
Watkins Fine Finishes offers color consulting as part of our painting and finishing services for homeowners throughout Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley.
Ready to talk about your painting project?
Tell us what you are planning and we will help define the scope, answer your questions, and provide a clear estimate.
