5 Crucial Things To Look Out For When Choosing Paint Colours For Your Home
Picture this: you’re standing in the paint aisle, staring at a wall of colour swatches. You came in for a nice warm white, but now you’re 47 samples deep, your coffee’s gone cold, and you’re starting to question every decision you’ve ever made.
Or maybe you’re at home, staring at five (okay, twelve) swatches painted on your living room wall, each one somehow looking completely different than it did in the store. One looks too pink, one too yellow, one too… hospital?
Choosing paint colours can be surprisingly overwhelming. It’s not just about picking a colour you like, it’s about how it looks in your space, with your light, your furniture, and your finishes. And unfortunately, the wrong choice doesn’t just disappear. (Unless you repaint, which… let’s try to avoid that.)
The good news? There is a way to make it easier, and it starts with knowing what to look for. Here are five things that can make or break a paint colour decision, so you can skip the stress and feel confident from the first brushstroke.
1/ Undertones: the simple hue that can surprise you
Here is a photo of Gossamer Veil SW 9165 (left) and Agreeable Gray SW 7029 (right). At first glance, you would think that they are the same colour. But when you look closely, Gossamer Veil is actually a warm grey with green undertones, while Agreeable Gray is a greige with a hint of violet undertone that is slightly more pronounced.
Here’s the thing about paint colours: what you see isn’t always what you get. Every paint colour has an undertone, a subtle hue underneath the main colour that can completely change how it looks on your walls. It’s like the secret ingredient you didn’t know was in the recipe… until it shows up unexpectedly.
For example, that beautiful “neutral” beige? It might have a pink or orange undertone that only shows up once it’s on your wall. That soft grey you loved in someone else’s home? It could lean blue, green, or even purple in your space, depending on your light and surroundings.
Undertones are why the same paint colour can look gorgeous in one home and totally off in another.
How to spot them:
Hold the swatch against something truly neutral, like a sheet of white printer paper. Compare it to other similar colours, and suddenly the hidden hue will jump out. It’s like magic.
Quick tip:
Always test colours in your actual space before committing. Sample pots are your best friend, and so is testing them in different parts of the room and at different times of day.
2/ Lighting: the same colour, different moods
Let’s talk lighting because it can make or break a paint colour faster than you can say “wait, is that green?” Natural and artificial light both play a huge role in how a colour shows up on your walls. A soft white might feel warm and inviting in the morning sun, but turn icy and grey by evening. A cosy taupe can suddenly look a little… peachy. Or purple. Or something completely unexpected.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how light affects colour:
North-facing rooms (in the Northern Hemisphere - like Europe or the US) tend to get cool, indirect light that can bring out blue or grey undertones.
South-facing rooms are full of warm, natural light all day, which makes colours appear warmer and brighter.
East-facing rooms get warmer, more welcoming light in the morning and shadows in the afternoon.
West-facing rooms are the opposite: softer in the morning and golden in the afternoon, which can make warm tones feel extra warm.
(And if you're in the Southern Hemisphere - like Australia or New Zealand, flip that north/south rule where northern light is your warm, bright light, and southern light tends to be cooler and more indirect.)
Artificial lighting matters too. Cool LED bulbs can make warm colours look dull, while warm lighting can exaggerate yellow or red undertones.
Quick tip:
Always test your sample colours in the actual room, at different times of day, with the lights on and off. What looks dreamy at noon might feel totally different after dinner.
3/ Fixed elements: your colour has to get along with the rest of the room
Here’s where a lot of paint regrets happen: when the wall colour doesn’t actually work with everything else in the room. You might fall in love with a warm greige on Pinterest, but if your floors have a cool grey tone or your countertops lean green, that perfect paint colour can suddenly feel out of place. It’s not that the colour is “wrong”, it just doesn’t play nicely with what’s already there.
These permanent features, such as your flooring, cabinetry, tiles, benchtops, stone, and even fireplace bricks, create the foundation for your home’s colour palette. And since they’re not as easy (or cheap) to change as paint, it makes sense to let them guide your choices.
How to make it work:
Look closely at the undertones in your fixed elements. Are they warm or cool? Do they lean red, yellow, pink, green, or blue? Your wall colour should complement those undertones, not fight them.
Quick tip:
When testing paint samples, hold them right next to your floors, backsplash, benchtop, or cabinetry, not just on a white wall. That’s when you’ll truly see if the colours clash or connect.
4/ Sheen and finish: it’s not just about the colour
Image by Valspar
Even if you pick the perfect colour, the finish you choose can totally change how it looks and how it holds up. Paint doesn’t just come in different colours, it comes in different sheens, from flat to high-gloss. Each one reflects light differently, which affects how the colour appears and how practical it is for your space.
Here’s a quick rundown:
Flat or matte: No shine, velvety texture, hides wall imperfections beautifully. Best for low-traffic areas like bedrooms or ceilings.
Eggshell: A soft, subtle sheen with just a bit of light reflection. A great all-rounder for most walls.
Satin: Slightly more sheen than eggshell, good for higher-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens.
Semi-gloss: Noticeably shinier and more durable. Ideal for trim, doors, or bathrooms where you need to wipe things down.
Gloss: Very shiny and super durable, but every bump or brushstroke will show. Use sparingly!
Why it matters:
A colour in matte can look soft and moody. The same colour in gloss can look brighter and bolder, just because it reflects more light. Sheen also affects how durable and cleanable your walls will be, which is important if you’ve got kids, pets, or a white wall near the spaghetti table.
Quick tip:
Test not just the colour, but also the finish, especially if you’re using it in a tricky space like a bathroom or hallway. And keep in mind: trim and doors usually look best in a higher sheen than walls for subtle contrast.
5/ Flow and cohesion: think beyond just one room
Image by Design Bliss
It’s easy to get caught up in picking the perfect colour for your living room, or kitchen, or bedroom, but your home isn’t made up of isolated spaces. It’s all connected. And when your colours don’t flow from one room to the next, things can start to feel a bit… jarring. Ever walked through a house where every room is painted a completely different colour, and it feels kind of disjointed? That’s what we want to avoid.
Creating a sense of flow doesn’t mean every room has to be the same colour, but they should relate to each other. Colours with similar undertones, soft transitions, or complementary contrasts will help everything feel intentional and cohesive.
How to create flow:
Choose 2–3 main colours that work well together and use them throughout your home in different ways.
Repeat undertones or use lighter/darker versions of the same hue in different spaces.
Use neutral “bridge” colours (like soft whites, greiges, or beiges) in hallways or open areas to tie everything together.
Quick tip:
Before painting, stand in one room and look into the next. Do the colours talk to each other, or do they clash? That little test can tell you a lot.
——————
Choosing paint colours doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when you know what to look for. A little thought upfront can save you hours (and dollars) down the line, and help you create a home that feels beautifully put together.
Remember:
✔ Pay attention to undertones
✔ Test colours in your lighting
✔ Work with your fixed finishes
✔ Pick the right sheen for the space
✔ Keep the whole house in mind
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by undertones, lighting, and endless colour choices, my Home Paint Colour Blueprint is designed to take the stress out of it. It’s a step-by-step digital guide packed with tips, visuals, and curated colour palettes to help you choose the right paint colours with confidence, room by room, wall by wall. Please note, this complete system is a Benjamin Moore Paint Colours Edition Only; Sherwin-Williams and Dulux versions are in the works.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Take a peek inside the Blueprint here.
Inside this complete step-by-step guide, you’ll find everything I use to help my own clients. It’s like having a decorator by your side, showing you how to understand undertones, lighting, and flow, choose the right whites, neutrals, and accent colours, create a beautiful, cohesive colour palette that actually feels like you, and more.
Includes:
✔ 150+ page step-by-step guide (Benjamin Moore Edition)
✔ Curated paint colours with coordinating suggestions
✔ Room-by-room palettes, cheat sheets, and visual guides
✔ Bonus tools: printable workbook, planner, extra colour pack & more
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