Choosing the perfect paint colour for your home can feel overwhelming. With so many shades, finishes and lighting conditions to consider it is easy to second-guess your decisions. But do not worry this guide will simplify the process helping you pick colours that brighten your space complement your furnishings and reflect your personal style.
We will cover everything from how your room’s direction affects colour perception to practical tips for different rooms in your home. Plus you will learn how to test colours before committing so you can be confident in your choice.
Choosing the right paint for your project can be tricky, our swatches help make the process a bit easier.
Understanding the Basics of Choosing Paint Colours.
Paint isn’t just about making a room look nice, it affects mood, space perception, and even how you feel in it. Colours are generally warm, cool, or neutral. Warm shades like reds, oranges, and yellows make rooms feel cosy and inviting. Cool blues and greens are calming and relaxing. Neutrals, think greys, creams, and soft beiges are versatile and perfect as a backdrop for anything.
What Type of Colours Should You Consider?
Start with the room’s purpose. Do you want a calm and relaxing space, or a room full of energy and personality? Colours can express your style and mood, so think about what feels right for you. You might want timeless, neutral shades or maybe a bold pop of colour.
Our Fresh Collection is full of bright and light colours to choose from.
Neutrals, Bold, or Pastels?
-
Neutrals: Soft creams, beiges, and greys are classic and flexible. They work anywhere, especially living rooms and open-plan spaces. Try browsing our Neutrals & White Paints to find the perfect match.
-
Bold Colours: Cheery blues, vibrant greens, or rich reds make a statement. Perfect for feature walls or creative areas, browse our Joyful Collection for some of the happiest colours in our range.
-
Pastels: Soft pinks, lilacs, and minty greens give a calm, airy feel. Ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, and nurseries. Our Fresh Paint Collection has a lovely selection of soft hues to choose from.
Why Room Orientation and Natural Light Matter.
The direction your room faces affects how paint looks. Morning, afternoon, or evening light can change the way a colour appears on your walls. Before committing, check your chosen colours in different lighting to see how they shift throughout the day.
Like any paint, our Passionate Teal changes colour dramatically depending on the light source.
How Room Direction Affects Your Paint Colour Choice
North-Facing Rooms: Warm Colours for Cooler Light.
North-facing rooms often get soft, cooler light that can make colours feel a little muted. Warm shades like Calming Neutral, Friendly Peach, or Calming Yellow can counteract that and make your room feel inviting.
East-Facing Rooms: Best Colours for Morning Light.
East-facing rooms get bright, energising morning light. Fresh colours like Serene Blue, Graceful Green, or soft neutrals will make your mornings feel bright without being overwhelming.
South-Facing Rooms: Light Colours for Bright Spaces.
South-facing rooms are lucky, they get sunlight all day. Bold and vibrant colours like Mellow Blue, Passionate Olive Green, or Fresh Yellow look amazing here, staying lively even in strong light. We have a great blog about colours for south-facing rooms that goes into more detail.
West-Facing Rooms: Balancing Warm and Cool Tones.
West-facing rooms catch warm afternoon light, which can make colours look richer. Tones like Serene Green, Nostalgic Grey, or Restful Green are perfect for this.
Mellow Blue in this small home office creates a lovely warmth to the space.
Practical Tips for Picking Paint Colours by Room.
Living Rooms: Creating Warmth and Comfort with Neutrals and Jewel Tones.
Neutral walls give you flexibility, while jewel-toned furniture or accents add depth. Think soft beige walls with rich hued cushions.
Kitchens: Choosing Practical, Inviting Colours and Finishes.
Kitchens need colours that are bright and easy to clean. Soft yellows, pale greens, or warm neutrals work brilliantly. Try browsing our Fresh Collection or our Nostalgic Collection.
Bedrooms: Calming Colours for Better Rest and Relaxation.
Keep bedrooms peaceful with soft blues, greens, or muted neutrals. These shades help you relax and sleep better. Avoid colours that are too bright or overstimulating.
Bathrooms: Warm, Inviting Alternatives to Clinical Whites.
White is clean, but it can feel cold. Try warm neutrals, soft greys, or pale pastels for a spa-like feel. Moisture-resistant paints keep your walls looking great.
Small and Dark Rooms: Tricks to Make Spaces Feel Larger and Cosy.
Light, neutral colours help bounce light around a space, instantly making a small room feel more open. Layer in mirrors to amplify brightness, use soft lighting for a welcoming glow, and add a few deeper accents to create warmth without closing in the space. If you’re looking for more inspiration and expert tips, our guide on paint colours to make a small room feel bigger is a great place to start.
Serene Blue is calming and bright and airy, perfect for a smaller bedroom.
Choosing Exterior Paint Colours That Complement Your Home and Surroundings.
Your home’s exterior is its first impression. Choose colours that work with your architecture, landscaping, and neighbourhood. Think about roof colour, bricks, and greenery when picking shades.
How to Coordinate Exterior Colours with Your House Materials.
Match your paint with materials like brick, stone, or siding. Neutrals usually pair well with natural textures, while bold colours can highlight interesting features. Always test a sample outside before committing.
Picking Door Colours That Pop and Connect Interior to Exterior.
Your front door is a great place for a pop of colour. Deep blues, rich reds, or even pastel shades can make your entrance inviting while linking the interior palette with the exterior.
How to Test and Finalise Your Paint Colour Choice.
Always test paint before making the final decision. Try a few swatches on different walls and watch them at various times of day. Living with them for a couple of days will show you the real effect. Once you’re happy, choose your finish and get painting.
Using Sample Pots to See Colour in Your Space.
Even when a colour looks perfect online, it can behave very differently in your home. That’s where sample pots come in, they’re small, affordable, and let you test paint on your walls before committing.
Pro Tip: instead of painting directly on the wall, paint the sample on a piece of paper first. This way, you can move it around your room, see how it reacts to different lighting, and even hold it next to furniture or flooring. It’s a simple step that saves a lot of guesswork and avoids the stress of painting a whole wall you might end up not loving!
For the best results, paint a few square feet on the wall or a large sheet of card and observe it at different times of day. Morning, afternoon, and evening light can all change how the colour looks, so don’t rush. Seeing the paint in action is the easiest way to know if it’s “the one.”
We always recommend purchasing one of our paint pot samples before investing in litres of paint.
Comparing Colours with Colour Cards.
When it comes to choosing paint, colour cards are your best friend. They let you compare multiple shades side by side and see how they work with your furniture, flooring, and lighting.
We’ve chosen not to offer peel-and-stick samples, and that’s intentional. The peel-off backing creates unnecessary waste, and once removed, the swatch can’t be easily stored or reused, so it doesn’t support mindful colour decisions. Some versions are also non-recyclable.
There’s another practical reason: peel-and-stick samples can be misleading. Their glossy finish and tiny size often don’t reflect how a colour will really look on your walls. A small sticker under a bright lamp won’t give you the full picture.
That’s why we recommend testing with our sample pots. Use them alongside colour cards for flexible, reusable comparisons. You can move the painted swatch around your room, hold it next to furniture, and see it in different lighting, morning, afternoon, and evening.
Painting onto a sheet of paper that you can move freely around the space to see it in different light sources is a great way to make sure you've picked the right paint. Here, we've got a paint pot of Passionate Olive Green.
Observing Colours in Different Lighting and Times of Day.
One of the biggest surprises when choosing paint is how much lighting can change a colour. A shade that looks perfect in bright morning light can feel dull or harsh in the afternoon, and artificial lighting can completely transform it at night. That’s why it’s so important to observe your colours in all the lighting conditions your room experiences.
Here’s a simple approach:
-
Morning light: Check east-facing rooms in the early hours. Cool, soft light can make colours look brighter and fresher.
-
Afternoon light: South or west-facing rooms may appear warmer and more intense. Notice how colours shift as the sun moves.
-
Evening or artificial light: Switch on your lamps and ceiling lights to see how the colour behaves after sunset. Warm or cool bulbs can change the mood entirely.
A handy trick is to move your sample paint or swatch around the room during the day. This is especially important for bold or pastel shades, which can look very different depending on light and surroundings.
By taking a little time to observe your colours in multiple lighting situations, you’ll avoid surprises and feel confident that your choice will look amazing all day, every day.
Tips for Testing Larger Areas Before Committing.
Before committing to a full paint job, it’s essential to test your chosen colour on a larger area of your wall. Small swatches can only show so much, seeing the colour across a bigger patch helps you understand how it truly interacts with your room’s light, size, and existing furnishings. This step can save you from costly mistakes and ensures you feel confident that your new colour will create the atmosphere you want. Taking your time with this testing process is key to making a choice you’ll love for years to come.
FAQs About Choosing Paint Colours.
Choosing paint colours can feel tricky, and you’re not alone, everyone has questions! Here are some of the most common ones we hear, with tips to help you feel confident about your choices.
Small rooms feel cramped, how can I make them look bigger?
Light shades, soft neutrals, and pastels are your best friends here. They reflect more light and make a room feel airier. Pair them with good lighting and a few mirrors, and you’ll be amazed at how spacious it feels.
How can I make sure a colour works with my furniture or flooring?
Use colour cards or sample pots to test your choices. Place them near your existing furniture and fabrics, and watch how they look in natural and artificial light throughout the day. It’s the easiest way to avoid any surprises.
What if I love a colour in the shop but it looks different at home?
This happens all the time! Paint can look very different on walls than on small swatches. That’s why we always recommend using sample pots, or Emily’s tip: paint the colour on paper first. Move it around your room and see it in different lighting before committing.
Can lighting really change the way a colour looks?
Absolutely. Morning, afternoon, and evening light all affect paint differently. That’s why it’s so important to observe your colours in the actual room at different times of day.
How do I choose a colour that won’t feel outdated quickly?
Neutrals and timeless shades are a safe bet. Bold or trendy colours work best on feature walls or accents, making it easier to refresh the space later without a full repaint.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Perfect Paint Colour.
Choosing the right paint colour is about more than just aesthetics, it’s about how colour affects your mood, focus, and wellbeing.
At YesColours, we combine colour science and neuroscience insights to help you create spaces that truly support how you live and work. Our expert team is here to guide you through every step, from selecting colours that harmonise with your environment to testing and finalising your choice.
Ready to transform your space with confidence? Book a free one-to-one colour consultation with our lead colour expert and discover the power of colour tailored just for you.