Painting Guides

How to choose paint colours for your home

The same paint colour can look different from one room to another. Start with the room's light and fixed finishes, then test samples in the space.

Finished living room after professional sage wall painting
Bright living room with neutral painted walls
Illustrative photo via Unsplash.

Start with what will stay

Note flooring, counters, tile, cabinetry, large furniture, and fabrics that are not changing. These fixed finishes have undertones that can help narrow the palette.

Decide whether you want the walls to blend quietly with those elements or create a deliberate contrast. Consider adjacent rooms too, especially in open-plan spaces.

Watch the light through the day

North- and south-facing rooms receive different qualities of daylight, and lamps affect colour after dark. A warm neutral can look more subdued in cool daylight and more golden under warm bulbs.

Test large samples on more than one wall and look at them in morning, afternoon, and evening light. Keep samples beside the trim and flooring rather than judging them in isolation.

Test before committing

Paint sample boards or use the manufacturer's sample product, then move the samples around the room. A small chip is useful for shortlisting, but it does not show the full effect of colour over a large area.

Confirm the product line, sheen, and surface condition with your painter. The same colour name can appear different across products and finishes.

Build a whole-home palette

Choose a small group of related colours and decide where each will be used. Repeat a trim or neutral colour where it helps rooms connect, and use stronger colours intentionally in spaces where you want more definition.

World Class Paint's colour tools can help you explore Benjamin Moore colours before you request a painting estimate.

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