How to Choose a Paint Color (and Mistakes to Avoid)

Choosing a paint color is harder than it looks. A color that's perfect on the chip can look completely different on four walls. Here's how to choose a color you'll be happy with, and the mistakes to avoid.

Start with how the room is used

Think about who uses the room and how. Bedrooms suit calm, soft colors; kitchens and family rooms can handle brighter, warmer tones; offices do well with colors that help you focus. The mood you want matters more than the trend.

Look at the light

Light changes everything. North-facing rooms get cooler, bluer light, so warm colors balance them. South-facing rooms get warm light that can make bright colors look intense. Look at the room in the morning, afternoon and evening, under your own lamps, before deciding.

Warm, cool and neutral

• Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) feel energetic and cozy and make large rooms feel more intimate.
• Cool colors (blues, greens, purples) feel calm and make small rooms feel more open.
• Neutrals (whites, grays, beiges) are flexible, but every neutral has an undertone. Compare them side by side to see whether one leans pink, yellow, green or blue.

Don't choose from a tiny chip

The most common mistake is picking a color from a small swatch. Tape a few chips to the wall first, then paint large samples, at least two feet square, on different walls. Live with them for a few days.

Remember there are many shades of the same color

"Gray" or "blue" covers hundreds of shades. A slightly lighter or darker version, or one with a different undertone, can make all the difference. Most paint chips show a strip of related shades; try the one above or below your first pick.

Consider everything else in the room

Floors, cabinets, countertops, furniture and fabrics stay; the paint has to work with them. Pull a color from something you love in the room, like a rug or artwork, and build from there.

Choose the sheen, too

Sheen affects how a color looks and how well it cleans. Flat hides flaws, eggshell and satin are easy to clean, and semi-gloss suits trim and doors. See choosing a paint sheen.

Try an accent wall

If you're nervous about a bold color, try it on one wall first. It's an easy way to test a color you love without committing the whole room.

Getting help

A designer or a paint store's color consultant can help narrow down a palette. When you're ready, New Ceilings paints interiors across Orlando and Central Florida with Sherwin-Williams paint. See interior and exterior painting.