Choosing the right wall colour for your room

Get Inspired

When choosing a new colour for your space a good place to start is with something that’s in the room, such as the flooring, a patterned rug or your favourite piece of art. Select two or three colours from one of these items, generally choosing less dominant colours is best.

Dark colous in a small space can still be used effectively to create the wow factor

The artwork in this entry hall was the inspiration for this colour scheme. Don’t be scared to use darker colours as they add impact

The pattern in the feature chair directly influenced the wall colour

Patterned fabric on chair provides inspiration for wall colour choice

Dark to Light rule

Following the dark to light rule can make decisions easier for you. Generally (but definitely not always) darker colours are on the floor, mid-tone colours on the walls and lighter on the ceiling.

Head to the paint shop

Once you have your colours in mind, at the paint shop select a number of colour cards, to take home, in varying tones and shades of the colours you have chosen. Never make a decision on your final colour in the shop, as the lighting and other factors will be different to your space at home. Believe it or not, these all contribute to how the colour will actually look.

Purchase sample pots

Once you have narrowed down your choices to 2 or 3 colours, it’s a good idea to purchase sample pots to help you make a final decision. Paint a piece of card (A4 size is good) and place it on the wall for about a week. Every couple of days moving to a different wall or area. This will allow you to see how the colour will look and change throughout the day and in the evening, on sunny days and cloudy days etc. Not forgetting to also check that your colour is working well with furniture and soft furnishings already in the room.

Sample pots need to be painted on card that can be moved around the room

Do not paint sample pots directly onto wall as you will only create confusion as each colour will influence the other

Consider the colour theme throughout the rest of your home

Always ensure that any adjoining rooms or hallways are working well together. An easy but interesting way to do this is to build a palette with shades of the same hue. By this I mean, stick to one colour but use darker and lighter shades in different rooms or for accent walls.

Choosing the correct paint finish

Applying the correct paint finish to your walls is important.

For low traffic areas a Flat finish will give off a richer colour and looks elegant and soft. However, it marks easily and doesn’t clean well, so isn’t good for high traffic areas. For these areas, an Eggshell or Low Sheen finish is best. The sheen will slightly lighten the appearance of the colour but better protection and longevity will be provided. Most marks can be wiped off using a damp cloth.

Consider what the room is going to be used for. A toy room can be bright and full of colour to encourage children to play

In saying that, sheen on the walls can show up any imperfections. So if your walls are abit lumpy and bumpy in parts its best to stick to a less glossy finish with the best durability for your space. In my experience, Eggshell finish is best for this.

If you’re not sure what colour to choose or have a question about the colour scheme of your project, please contact me, or read our series on blogs on the psychology of colour.