5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Paint Color

A fresh coat of paint can instantly transform a room from basic to fabulous or from stressful to calming.

Save yourself from post-painting regret. andresr/Getty Images/TCA

When it comes to interior design, paint can work magic. A fresh coat of paint can instantly transform a room from basic to fabulous or from stressful to calming. However, with so many colors available, it can be hard to choose the right one—and if you aren’t 100 percent sold on your decision, you may end up second-guessing yourself even after the paint job is complete. And no one wants to finish painting a room only to do it all over again.

So, to avoid that post-painting regret, here are five questions to ask yourself before deciding on a paint color.

What Is the Mood and Purpose of the Space?

Every room in the home serves a purpose. Consider the environment you’re trying to create and how color can influence it. For instance, most of us want to feel energetic and productive in our home offices. A bright yet cool color can help evoke this.

For a living room, on the other hand, you’ll want to choose a color that feels inviting and relaxing at the same time. However, these feelings can look different to different people. For some, neutrals and soft tones are the most welcoming shades, while others find comfort in bolder and brighter colors.

How Is the Room Decorated?

Your current furniture and decor play a big part in what paint color you choose, especially if you plan to keep your existing pieces. So, maybe you’ve always wanted to paint a bright orange wall in your living room, but it may not match your vision with your jewel-toned green sofa still in the picture. (However, that could be a great combo if it matches your style!)

On the other hand, paint can also provide an opportunity to liven up your design. If you have all neutral furniture, a bold paint color can take the space to an entirely different level. Imagine what a room with all-white furniture looks like with deep, dusty blue walls versus more neutral off-white walls.

Does the Room Get Natural Light?

Natural light is crucial to take into consideration when choosing a paint color. An excess of natural light in a room can make paint colors look blown out and far lighter than intended, while a lack of natural light in a room can make paint colors too dark and cold.

The changes are less dramatic with lighter paint colors, but there’s a larger margin of error when it comes to darker hues. While you might be aiming for calm and cozy with that deep navy shade—you could end up with dark and depressing in a room with little to no sun exposure.

To avoid any unexpected results, make sure to get multiple paint samples and place them on all the walls so you can really see how the paint will look at various locations and at different times of the day.

What Colors Are the Rest of the Walls in My Home?

Part of making your home feel like a cohesive space involves keeping things somewhat consistent from room to room. So, if your entire home has white walls and soft neutral decor—a bright-red kitchen could look really out of place.

However, there’s an exception to this rule. A unique paint color in a room that isn’t a main space can be a fantastic way to have fun with design, even if it’s a departure from the rest of your home. So, consider painting your powder room bright yellow or your guest bedroom a moody shade of eggplant.

Will I Like This Color in the Long Run?

Color trends come and go. While grey was the go-to color for just about everything from floors to paint and furniture for years, it now looks a bit dated. So, while re-painting isn’t the end of the world, you won’t need to if you really listen to what you want and choose a color outside of the trend cycle.

Don’t be afraid to get a few paint samples and paint a foot or two of the wall to really test out and get familiar with a new shade. Wait a week or two and see how you really like it before committing to the entire can.

Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to [email protected]