How to Pick Paint Colours

Expertly transforming a room is all in the preparation, colour scheme and light aspect working together. It creates a space that you'll want to spend time in. However, when it comes to renovating or refreshing a room with a new paint job, picking out the right colours for your spaces can feel like a daunting task.

With the ability to completely transform your home, your chosen paint shade can change the feel of a room. It can influence the space and impact the way changing light affects the mood.

With millions of shades to choose from, we've put together some practical ways to help you choose the perfect colours for your home. You'll find everything from bedroom paint colour ideas to advice on lighting.

Cool whites and pale neutrals reflect light to make small spaces feel bigger, while warm tones balance the chilly natural light in north-facing rooms.
You can build a cohesive scheme by using a colour paint chart to find complementary shades or rely on a colour match service to replicate a favourite item.
Testing your chosen shades on different walls helps you see how changing sunlight and artificial light alter the mood throughout the day.

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Be Inspired

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Drawing inspiration for your home

Starting with a bit of research is a great way to explore your tastes and discover the latest trends.

Inspiration is everywhere. You can use social media, websites, television, blogs and magazines to pick out your favourite looks. Try looking for spaces that are similar to your own. Thenbegin to create a mood board of ideas, features, colours and textures.
Taking cues from the things you love can be a great tool when you're deciding how to choose paint colours. Furniture, artwork, ornaments and even clothing are often a good reflection of your taste. They can help guide the scheme of your room.
Whether you want to highlight tall ceilings or make a statement with retro features like tiles, looking at the period of your home helps. Many paint companies, including Dulux, offer heritage collections in a range of classic and updated colours to help make the decisions easier. If you want a specific vintage feel, looking into French-chic paint colours can give your home a beautifully timeless finish.

Working with the space you have

Considering the spaces you've got to work with is just as important as the wall paint colours themselves. Think about the mood you're trying to create and how you use the room.

As a general rule of thumb, if you're painting a small or dark room, cool colours such as whites and pale neutrals are best. They reflect light, as the colour recedes making the room feel more spacious. For larger rooms or spaces, bright and dark colours will work well to create atmosphere and synergy between spaces.
But there are no hard and fast rules. Small spaces can also hold bold colour well, bringing depth and focal colour to the space. A darker colour can be as cosy and relaxing as a warm neutral. It's a great approach to choosing bedroom paint colours.
For high-traffic areas, you might wonder what colour to paint hallway walls. Durable emulsion paint colours in warm, welcoming tones are usually a great choice here.
In wet zones, looking at small bathroom paint colour ideas is key. Bright bathroom paint colours can make a compact space feel fresh and clean.
When it comes to the heart of the home, figuring out what colour to paint kitchen walls is important. The colour of paint for kitchen spaces needs to complement your units. A popular kitchen paint colour might be a soft grey or warm sage. And don't forget your cabinets. Updating your kitchen cupboard paint colours is a smart way to refresh the room without a full refit.

Consider the aspect and lighting

Consider how you use the space. The light will change depending on the aspect of the room and the time of day the light hits the walls.

For north-facing rooms, avoid light colours with a green or grey base as this can make the room feel colder. Instead, choose warm colours and undertones to counteract harsh sunshine and bounce as much light around as possible.
Embrace the dramatic changing light in east and west-facing rooms with clever undertones. Blue or green-based colours tend to work best in east-facing rooms to balance the morning sunshine. Warmer and bolder tones will glow in west-facing evening light.
South-facing rooms will look good in most colours, thanks to the bright and sunny aspect. To maximise the all-day sunshine, opt for cool neutrals or be bold with a darker hue with cool undertones.
If you mostly use the room after sunset, artificial light can change the mood and feel of the colour. It's a good idea to consider the colour temperature of your light bulbs. Test a colour swatch over a 24-hour period to see how it changes.

Using a colour paint chart

Whether you want to harmonise, contrast, or complement your colour choices, using the colour wheel and colour theory is a great place to start. You can use a standard colour paint chart to plan your scheme.

Go for a monochromatic scheme. Use tints, tones and shades of the same colour or black and white to create a simple but considered look. This is a versatile choice for bedrooms, bathrooms and small spaces such as hallways.
Get bold with contrasting colours. Use opposite colours on the colour wheel to create dynamic and playful schemes, such as green and pink or orange and blue. This is best used in kitchens and children's bedrooms.
Create a complementary scheme. Use neighbouring colours on the colour wheel such as blues and greens to create a scheme that naturally flows. This palette of colours tends to work best in open-plan spaces such as kitchen diners and double living rooms.
Play with dynamic colour. Use the colour wheel to select colours that form a triangle to inject statement colour. This method is best used in family spaces and playrooms.

How to colour match paint perfectly

Sometimes you find the exact shade you want on a piece of fabric, a cushion or even a favourite mug. If you want to replicate it, learning how to colour-match wall paint is very useful.

Our paint colour matching service takes the guesswork out of the process. You can have paint mixed and colour matched in-store using our colour scanner and take it away the same day. You can also find even more paint shades using our online paint mixing options.

Finishing touches and testing

Once you've picked out a handful of colours, it's a great idea to swatch the wall with paint testers before you commit.

Paint as large an area as your tester will allow with two coats. This gives you the best sense of how the colour will really look.
Cut the colour out of the tester card and stick it on the wall next to your swatch. You'll notice how different the colour looks when removed from similar hues.
Swatch on two different walls, so you can see how the colour changes in the light of the day.
You might also be wondering what colour to paint skirting boards and door frames. A crisp white is traditional but painting them the same colour as your walls creates a modern, seamless look. Alternatively, a contrasting dark tone can frame your room beautifully.

Choosing the right paint colours for your spaces doesn't need to be a daunting task. Once you understand how light, space and your own personal tastes work together, you're ready to get started. And if you need a little extra help deciding, we're always here to offer practical guidance and support.

Have confidence in your decision to choose a colour that you'll love and enjoy. Using an online visualiser or an app can help bring your chosen shade to life, while getting a second opinion can really help to solidify your choice. Whether you're planning a quick room refresh or a complete home makeover, trust your instincts!

Looking for some paint inspiration for a specific space? Check out our articles on bathroom paint ideas and kitchen paint ideas.

FAQs

White is a classic choice that offers a clean finish. However, painting your skirting boards the same colour as your walls provides a modern look and can even make your ceilings appear taller.

Cool whites and pale neutrals are generally best for small rooms because they reflect light and make the space feel bigger. But dark shades can also work well if you want to create a cosy, intimate atmosphere.

For busy spaces like hallways and family rooms, a tough, wipeable finish is exactly what you need. While matt finishes look beautiful, they can show scuffs and marks more easily. Opting for a silk, satin, or eggshell sheen is usually a great choice, as they're much easier to clean and will help your walls look fresh for longer.

If you're painting a small or dark room, cool colours such as whites and pale neutrals are usually the best choice. These shades actively reflect light and cause the colour to recede, which helps to make the room feel much more spacious. Small spaces can also hold bold colours incredibly well, bringing beautiful depth and focal colour to the room.