When most people decide to update their interior paint colors, they focus on matching or complementing things such as cabinet colors and furniture. However, they often forget to consider the type of light in the room, from both light fixtures and windows. Read on to discover how light can affect your interior paint job.
Types of Bulbs
The type of lightbulbs in a room can dramatically affect your paint colors. Incandescent bulbs, for example, give off a warm light that can make some colors look different—deep browns may appear red, while gray can look greenish.
Fluorescent bulbs usually have the opposite effect. Their bright white light can have almost a blue tone in some rooms, dulling warm colors.
Natural Light Throughout the Day
Another way light can affect your interior paint job is through natural lighting. If the room you’re repainting has windows, you’ll need to pay attention to the color of light that comes in throughout the day. What direction the windows face also plays a role in the color of this light:
- North: cool, weak light
- South: warm, bright light
- East: cool, weak light, especially in the morning
- West: warm, bright light, especially in the afternoon
Achieving Neutral Light
If you’re trying to counteract the effects of one kind of lighting, it helps to vary your light sources. For example, you can balance out the light in a room that receives a lot of cool-toned natural light by placing warm-toned bulbs in your light fixtures.
Choosing Smart Paint Colors
Once you’ve adjusted the lighting in your home to your preference, you can choose paint colors that will match. Remember that colors bordering between tones will look muddled in strong cool or warm light.
However, matching paint colors with your home’s lighting can be confusing, so you may want to consult a painting expert. Call Ashford Painting if you need an interior painter in Atlanta, GA. We’ve been in the business for over a decade, and we’d love to help you update your home.