How to Pick the Perfect Paint Color
Paint is the most cost-effective way to transform a room, yet selecting the right color can be surprisingly challenging. How many times have you picked a color from a small 2”x2” paper swatch, only to find it doesn’t look quite as expected once applied? If you’ve experienced this, you’re not alone. Even seasoned design professionals face this challenge.
Through extensive trial and error, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t when it comes to selecting paint colors. My expertise has been further enhanced by earning the True Color Expert certification through Maria Killam’s course. While this blog post won’t turn you into an expert overnight, I’ll share valuable tips and tricks to help you start the process of choosing the right paint color for your space.
Understanding the Basics of Paint Color Selection
Light Reflectance Value (LRV)
The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of a paint color is crucial during the selection process. LRV measures the percentage of light a color reflects, with higher numbers indicating lighter shades. Most white paint colors start around an LRV of 80 and increase from there.
If your room lacks natural light, opt for a paint color with a higher LRV to brighten the space.
Artificial Lighting Considerations
Artificial lighting can drastically alter the appearance of paint colors. Those harsh, blue-tinted LED lights can distort colors, making them appear different from how they looked in the store. To counteract this, use lighting with a temperature of 2700-3000K. Many recessed lighting fixtures offer temperature adjustments, so look for these features to achieve the best color results.
For more insights on selecting the perfect paint color and additional color tips, be sure to check out our detailed blog posts.
Understanding Paint Colors: The Color Wheel and Undertones
Remember the color wheel from grade school? A quick refresher: the three primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These pure colors combine to create secondary and tertiary colors. Secondary colors include violet, orange, and green, while tertiary colors consist of blue-violet, red-orange, yellow-orange, red-violet, blue-green, and yellow-green.
When it comes to paint, colors are often categorized into two main undertones: warm and cool. A warm white has a yellow undertone, while a cool white features a blue undertone. Recognizing these undertones can greatly simplify your decision-making process when selecting paint colors for different spaces in your home.
Real-Life Examples of Warm and Cool Whites
To illustrate these principles, consider two examples of “white” kitchens with distinct colors and feels:
Warm White Example: In our Cuyama Beach House project, we used Simply White by Benjamin Moore for the cabinetry. This warm white complements the warm undertones of the floors, which have a yellowish hue. Using a white with a blue undertone here would have created a clash, as it might have appeared too cool and stark.
Cool White Example: For a Honeycomb Cabinetry project, we chose Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore for the cabinetry. This cool white works well with the navy blue island, cooler flooring undertones, and bright white ceilings. A warm white in this setting would have been visually discordant.
These examples show how choosing the right undertone—whether warm or cool—can significantly impact the overall feel of a space.
Tips for Selecting Paint Colors for Your Room
Identify Fixed vs. Moveable Items: Start by distinguishing between fixed elements (e.g., kitchen cabinets, flooring, countertops) and moveable items (e.g., barstools, rugs, drapery). Fixed elements will set the foundation for your color choices.
Assess Undertones: Determine whether the fixed elements have warm or cool undertones. For example, flooring with a warm undertone, like Noce Travertine, should be paired with colors that complement its warmth. Using Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige, a warm beige, is a good match for such flooring.
Choosing Colors for Cool Undertones: Conversely, for flooring with a cool or gray undertone, select colors that harmonize with those cool tones.
By understanding the basics of color undertones and how they interact with fixed elements in your space, you can make more informed decisions and achieve a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing result.
For more guidance on selecting paint colors, feel free to contact us for a professional paint consultation.
These are examples from our Hurley Ranch project.The flooring is a dark brown with gray accents throughout. While brown is considered a warm color, the gray undertones in the flooring are pretty pronounced.So, we kept the walls a bright true white, like Chantilly Lace, and also kept the furniture with cooler tones with blue accents. You can also see that our accent color in the Dining room is a bright blue. No yellow tones for these walls!
Key Takeaways:
Understand the difference between a cool color and a warm color.
Identify which items in your room are fixed and which are moveable.
Complement the fixed items with their corresponding color temperature.
Decor can go a long way. If you’re still not loving the paint color you selected, pull out some complementary colors with your area rugs, pillows, and artwork. You’ll be amazing at how quickly that can make a difference.
Be sure to check out our previous blog posts about our favorite white colors from Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore.It takes some practice but understanding undertones and how to select a paint color for your room can be achieved!And if you are still running into issues - we are here to help!