Choosing the right paint color for your home can be a daunting task. As an interior designer, I see this all the time! Most of our clients struggle with selecting the right colors for their home. Believe it or not, this is not breaking news.

With endless shades and tones available, it’s super easy to feel overwhelmed or make a choice you might later regret. If you’ve ever found yourself dissatisfied or frustrated after painting a room, you might be falling into some common traps. Here’s a look at four reasons why you might be picking the wrong paint colors and how to avoid these pitfalls in the future.

1. Ignoring Natural and Artificial Light

You’ve probably heard me say this a million times…lighting is everything! It plays such a crucial role in how paint colors appear in your space. A color that looks vibrant and warm in the store can turn dull and cold in a room with limited natural light. The direction of the light (north, south, east, or west) also affects the color appearance, as does the type of artificial light you use (LED, fluorescent, halogen). Light also changes a color at different times of the day. What may look bright at 11:00 in the morning, may end up looking moody and deep at 7:00PM after the sun has gone down.

Solution:

Do your homework and understand your lighting situation. Always consider the room's lighting before deciding on a paint color. Paint swatches on large sheets of paper and tape them to the walls in different areas of the room.

TIP: My favorite way to look at paint colors is to purchase 12”X12” peel and stick samples from samplize.com. They’re easy to place on your walls and peel off without damage. Another benefit is that you’re actually being environmentally conscious when you go this route.

These samples can be used over and over again versus the amount of paint that’s wasted when you buy an 8 oz container and end up throwing most of it away. The peel and stick option is also a closer match to the actual paint color than the liquid version.

Once you get your samples, observe how the color changes throughout the day and under artificial lighting at night. Take your time, don’t rush it! Sit with the colors for a couple of days before you decide on the one you want. This strategy can help you understand how the color will truly look in your space before committing.

2. Choosing Colors Based on Trends Rather Than Personal Preference

While it’s tempting to choose a paint color because it’s trendy or popular on social media, this can lead to dissatisfaction. Trends come and go, and what matters most is how you feel about the color in your living space. A color that doesn’t resonate with your personal style or the mood you want to create in a room can make the space feel disconnected or uncomfortable. For some extra guidance on this, take a look at our video on “How to Select Cohesive Colors for Your Home”.

So, what’s the takeaway? Stop copying what you see on Pinterest and other social media platforms! Use them as inspiration but don’t mimic what someone else has done. Remember, their house is not your house. The type and amount of light in their space is not the same as your particular space.

Solution:

Select colors that reflect your personal taste and the atmosphere you want to create in your home. Consider how different colors make you feel and the activities you’ll be doing in the space. For instance, soft blues and greens can create a calming environment perfect for bedrooms, while warm oranges and yellows can add energy to a kitchen or dining area.

3. Not Considering the Entire Room

A common mistake is choosing a paint color without considering the room's other elements, such as flooring, furniture, artwork, and fabrics. A color that looks beautiful on a sample can clash with your existing decor or not tie the room together as you had hoped.

Solution:

Before picking a paint color, take stock of the room's fixed and decorative elements. Look for undertones in your existing furnishings (especially wood furniture) might influence your color choice . Use a color wheel to find complementary or harmonious colors that enhance your decor. Bring fabric swatches, flooring samples, and other relevant items when shopping for paint to ensure the colors work well together.

4. Comparing Too Many Colors at Once

It may be easy to go into a paint store and grab a bunch of swatches or go online and order several color samples, but that’s not the wisest thing to do. Oftentimes, people will grab 10 different greens and wonder why they get even more frustrated and can’t decide on the right green. What’s the issue? You have so many color samples, they all just start to mesh together and look the same after a while. It’s information overload!

Solution:

Select no more than 3-5 colors to compare. If you go beyond that, you’ll end up confusing yourself and getting decision fatigue. This often leads to extreme frustration and ultimately putting off the project or giving up altogether because you’re too overwhelmed with the number of options.

Picking the wrong paint color is a common issue, but it's avoidable with careful consideration and planning. By understanding the impact of lighting, staying true to your personal style, considering the entire room, and reducing the amount of colors to compare, you can make choices that you'll be happy with for years to come (and save you time and money). Remember, the best color for your space is one that reflects your taste and complements your home's unique design and style.

Still struggling to choose the right color palette for your home? Stop the struggle! Contact us today to see how we can help you save time and make the right color choices. We can’t wait to show you what’s possible!