Paint Colors For Different Lighting

Because our eyes are able to see different colors depending on the type of lighting, it is important that we use paint swatches in more than one location when picking out a color.

HOW LIGHTING AFFECTS PAINT COLOR

To make sure your paint color is the perfect match for a room’s lighting, do some tests on different walls. Look at how colors look during various times of day and adjust them if needed until you get an exact match to natural light in the space!

NATURAL LIGHTING

If you spend most of your time in a room, it’s important to think about the color that would make for optimal lighting without natural light. Although morning sunlight can give off vibrant shades, this might not be desirable if evening is when you’re spending more time there.

NORTH FACING ROOMS

A north facing room can make colors look more dull, so it’s best to stick with warm undertones like reds and oranges. Darker colors will work too since they’ll make the space feel bigger.

SOUTH FACING ROOMS

Bright colors like whites and yellows look great in southern-facing rooms. This is because the light hits these walls for most of the day, so they are brighter than usual; adjust your shade accordingly if you choose to go with a dark color though!

WEST FACING ROOMS

West-facing rooms are darker in the morning, but as evening comes around they become brighter. This means that colors will appear more intense depending on when you use them most often.

EAST FACING ROOMS

If you want to highlight the morning light, choose cool colors for your paint. If warmth is more important in your room, warm up with something like yellow or gold at nightfall.

When your room isn’t getting much natural light, you can rely on artificial lighting. Since not all bulbs are the same, it’s important to think about which type of bulb you use in each space.

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING

Fluorescent bulbs emit a blue tinted light. This works well with cooler colors like blue and green, but warmer colors are dulled by this lighting which may require you to go brighter in order to balance it out.

HALOGEN LIGHTING

If you’re looking for a light that works well with both warm and cool colors, halogen is the best option. However, it’s important to test out your color palette before opting for this bulb in order to avoid cooling down warmer shades too much.

INCANDESCENT LIGHTING

In comparison to the light from fluorescent bulbs, incandescent lights give off a warmer hue with yellow or amber undertones. These colors are enhanced and become more vibrant when illuminated by an incan.