5 questions to ask yourself before choosing a paint color

When it comes to interior design, paint can work magic. However, with so many colors available, it can be hard to choose the right one. And no one wants to finish painting a room only to do it all over again. Avoid any post-painting regret with these questions to ask before deciding on a color.

What is the mood and purpose of the space?

Every room in the home serves a purpose. Consider the environment you're trying to create and how color can influence it. For instance, most of us want to feel energetic and productive in our home offices. A bright yet cool color can help evoke this.

For a living room, choose a color that feels inviting and relaxing at the same time. However, these feelings can look different to different people. For some, neutrals and soft tones are the most welcoming shades, while others find comfort in bolder and brighter colors.

How is the room decorated?

Furniture and decor play a big part in what paint color to choose, especially when the plan is to keep your existing pieces. Maybe you've always wanted to paint a bright orange wall in your living room, but it may not match your vision with your jewel-toned green sofa still in the picture.

Alternatively, paint can also provide an opportunity to liven up a design. Pairing all neutral furniture with a bold paint color can take the space to an entirely different level. Imagine what a room with all-white furniture looks like with deep, dusty blue walls versus more neutral off-white walls.

Is there natural light?

Natural light is crucial to consider when choosing a color. Excess natural light can make paint colors look blown out and far lighter than intended, while a lack of natural light can make colors too dark and cold.

To avoid unexpected results, get multiple paint samples and place them on all the walls so to really see how the paint will look at various locations and at different times of the day.

What colors are the rest of the walls in my home?

Part of making a home feel like a cohesive space involves keeping things somewhat consistent from room to room. So, if the entire home has white walls and soft neutral decor — a bright red kitchen could look out of place.

However, there's an exception to this rule. A unique paint color in a room that isn't a main space can be a fantastic way to have fun with design, even if it's a departure from the rest of the home. Consider painting a powder room bright yellow or your guest bedroom a moody shade of eggplant.

Will I like this color in the long run?

Color trends come and go. While grey was the go-to color for just about everything from floors to paint and furniture for years, it now looks a bit dated. So, while re-painting isn't the end of the world, choosing a color outside of the trend cycle can help.

Don't be afraid to get a few paint samples and paint a foot or two of the wall to really test out and get familiar with a new shade. Wait a week or two and see how you really like it before committing to the entire can.