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When selecting paint for a room, it’s tempting to focus solely on the colour swatch in the shop. Yet, depending on the room's lighting, that same colour can look dramatically different once applied to the wall. Both natural daylight and artificial sources influence how we perceive colour, sometimes enhancing it and other times distorting it entirely.
This is why a shade that seemed perfect under showroom lights might feel too dull, too bright, or just “off” once it’s on your walls. Understanding the relationship between light and paint helps avoid costly mistakes and ensures a space feels exactly as intended.
Why Light Changes the Way Paint Looks
Paint doesn’t change, but our perception of it does. Light interacts with pigment in complex ways, affecting depth, tone, and vibrancy. The amount, type, and direction of light all influence how a colour appears. These variations become especially noticeable across different rooms in the same house or even on opposite walls in a single space.
What seems like a minor detail becomes crucial when the paint is applied on a large scale. Colours that appear soft and neutral can suddenly feel cold or muddy. Bright tones might look overpowering. Even the time of day plays a role, making a room feel bright and airy one moment and sombre the next.
How Natural Light Affects Paint Perception
Natural daylight shifts throughout the day and varies depending on which direction the room faces. These changes can subtly—or dramatically—alter how colours appear.
North-facing rooms often receive cooler, indirect light, which can cause colours to take on a bluish tint. Pale greys may seem icy, while whites can feel stark. Warmer tones like soft beige, warm taupe, or dusty pinks help counteract the coolness and make the space more inviting.
South-facing rooms enjoy the most consistent daylight, usually warm and golden. In these spaces, colours tend to appear brighter and more saturated. Deep colours become richer, and even pale tones gain warmth. This natural boost allows more flexibility in colour choice, especially for bolder shades.
East-facing rooms get bright, warm light in the morning, which then cools as the sun moves. This can make the paint look fresh and warm in the early hours but slightly duller by the afternoon. Soft yellows, peach tones, and gentle neutrals work well, maintaining warmth without relying on intense light.
West-facing rooms are dimmer in the morning and gain warm, golden light later in the day. Because of this contrast, some colours can feel flat in the morning but come alive in the evening. Muted greens, greys, or terracotta tones often feel balanced in this shifting light.
How Artificial Lighting Alters Colour
Most rooms rely on artificial lighting at some point in the day, especially during darker months. The type of bulb you use has a significant effect on how paint is perceived.
Warm white bulbs (common in most households) emit a yellowish light. This can warm up cool colours or make warm tones feel even more intense. It often softens harsh whites but can also make some colours look dull or overly golden.
Cool white or daylight bulbs lean towards blue tones. They enhance crispness in whites and greys but can make warmer colours seem slightly faded or washed out. In areas where precision matters, such as kitchens or home offices, these bulbs can make spaces feel cleaner and more alert.
Halogen bulbs produce a clean, white light closer to daylight. They tend to provide the most accurate colour rendering, so they’re often used in showrooms or galleries.
LED lights are available in different tones—from warm to cool—so they can be chosen to suit the space. Their versatility makes them useful in homes where lighting may shift based on the time of day or activity.
Testing Paint Samples the Right Way
Many people skip or rush the testing phase and then regret it once the paint dries on the wall. Taking the time to test properly helps avoid a mismatch between expectation and reality.
Start with larger samples. Tiny swatches don’t give you a full picture. Use actual paint to apply a square at least A4-sized directly onto the wall. Try it in more than one place, especially if the room gets uneven light throughout the day.
Check the colour at different times. Morning light, afternoon sun, and evening artificial lighting all bring out different undertones. What looks perfect at noon may appear muddy under lamplight. Make notes at various times of day to see how it holds up.
Try out your usual lighting. Use the same bulbs and fixtures that the room will have once decorated. Assess the paint under both if you use a mixture of overhead lighting and lamps. You’ll be surprised at how colour shifts in different settings.
Avoid painting on existing colours. If your walls are currently a dark or bold shade, it can interfere with how the sample appears. Either paint over a patch with white first or apply the sample on a large sheet of white card and move it around the room.
Pay attention to sheen. Flat matt, eggshell, satin, and gloss all reflect light differently. Glossy finishes bounce light and enhance brightness, which can make colours appear lighter. Matte finishes absorb light and soften tones. Always test in the intended finish.
Adapting Paint Choices Based on Lighting
Once you’ve tested the samples, you might realise your original choice needs a slight adjustment. It’s better to tweak the shade before committing to litres of paint.
Consider choosing colours with a warm base in dark or poorly lit rooms. Creams, muted yellows, or soft peaches can make a space feel brighter and more welcoming. Avoid overly cool tones unless you want a deliberately moody effect.
In overly bright rooms, bolder or darker colours can prevent the space from feeling washed out. Natural light will lift these shades, making them feel rich but not oppressive. Navy, charcoal, or forest green can be surprisingly subtle in bright spaces.
In mixed-light rooms, neutrals with balanced undertones—often called greige—work well. They adapt to shifting light without veering too cool or too warm. These flexible tones suit hallways and open-plan spaces where light varies throughout the day.
Design Considerations Around Light and Colour
Choosing paint is not only about picking a colour you like—it’s about selecting one that works in the space you live in. Take stock of your flooring, furnishings, and soft décor. All of these elements affect how colour is perceived.
A pale grey wall might look clean and crisp in a modern, minimally furnished space. The same colour in a room with wooden floors and beige upholstery could take on a greenish or lavender tone. Lighting interacts with surrounding elements, so view your paint alongside everything else in the room.
Mirrors, curtains, and flooring materials also affect how light moves around the space. Glossy floors or mirrored surfaces bounce light, amplifying brightness. Dark carpets or thick drapes absorb light, making the same paint colour appear slightly more muted.
Bringing Lighting and Colour into Harmony
The best rooms achieve harmony between paint and lighting. Whether you're working with abundant natural daylight or relying on artificial sources, understanding how light affects colour is essential. Taking the time to test, observe, and tweak before committing allows you to create a space that feels intentional and well-balanced.
Rather than focusing solely on the colour swatch, look at how light changes it throughout the day. Consider your fixtures, bulbs, and existing furnishings. By planning with lighting in mind, you’ll avoid surprises—and enjoy a paint finish that truly complements your home.
FAQs
Can I rely on digital mock-ups or online previews when choosing paint?
Digital previews can be helpful for visualising colour schemes, but they aren’t reliable for final colour decisions. Screen settings, brightness, and image filters all affect how colour appears. Always test physical samples in the actual space.
Why does the same paint look different in two rooms?
Light direction, bulb type, surrounding colours, and surface textures all influence how paint is perceived. Even if the colour is identical, the environment changes how our eyes interpret it.
Should I change my lightbulbs before choosing paint colours?
If you’re planning to update lighting, do it before selecting paint. The type and tone of lightbulbs significantly affect how colours appear, so it’s important to test under the final lighting conditions.
