The #1 Mistake People Make When Choosing Paint Colors (And How to Avoid It)
Paint is powerful. It can completely transform a space—set a mood, define a style, and even make a room feel larger or cozier. But here’s the truth: choosing the wrong paint color is one of the easiest (and most common) design mistakes homeowners make, and it all starts with a little thing called lighting.
The Mistake: Choosing Paint Based on a Tiny Swatch in a Store
We’ve all done it. You hold up a little square of paint chip in fluorescent lighting, fall in love, buy a gallon (or five)… only to get home and realize it looks completely different on your walls. What felt like a soft greige now looks like muddy taupe. That serene blue? Suddenly icy and cold. Here’s why: lighting changes everything. Natural light, artificial light, even the direction your windows face—these all affect how a paint color reads in your space.
Here’s How to Avoid That Costly Mistake
1. Test in Your Actual Space
Always get a sample pot. Paint large swatches on your walls (not just one!) and observe how it looks at different times of day—morning, afternoon, and evening. Lighting shifts, and your color will too.
2. Use a White Border Around Your Sample
Colors reflect off one another. If you’re sampling on a wall that’s already painted, that existing color will skew how your sample looks. Use painter’s tape and white paper or primer to frame the swatch for accuracy.
3. Factor in Surrounding Tones
Your flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and trim can influence how a color reads. What looks clean and crisp in one room may feel dingy in another if undertones clash.
4. Don’t Skip the Sheen
The finish you choose matters. A flat finish may soften a deep hue, while a satin or semi-gloss can make the same color appear brighter. Try your sample in the intended finish to avoid surprises.
Our Go-To Trick? 3D Rendering With Accurate Paint Color
At House of Life and Love, we use professional 3D renderings to help clients visualize their chosen paint colors in their space, with their lighting, and their layout. It takes the guesswork out and replaces it with clarity—and confidence.
Designer Tip: Start With the Hard-to-Change Elements
Paint is flexible. Your counters, floors, tile, or large furniture? Not so much. Start with the elements that are permanent, and let your paint color support them—not fight them.
Choosing the perfect paint color doesn’t have to be stressful. With a few pro tips—and the right tools—you can avoid the most common mistake and pick a color you’ll love to live with every single day.
Need help choosing your perfect paint palette? Book a consultation with us today!
Love,
Lindsay
