How to Choose Paint Colors for Your Home
Choosing the right paint color for your home can feel surprisingly stressful. With thousands of options and ever-changing lighting, it’s easy to second-guess your choices. But don’t worry—we’re here to help make the process simple, intentional, and even a little bit fun.
Whether you’re refreshing a single room or planning a whole-home makeover, here’s what to consider before you dip your brush.
Start with the Mood
Before you get swept up in swatches and paint chips, take a step back and think about the feeling you want each space to create.
Do you want your bedroom to feel calming and restful? Your kitchen to feel bright and welcoming? Your living room to feel warm and inviting? Let the mood guide your color choices.
- For a calm, serene vibe: Soft blues, sage greens, and warm taupes work beautifully.
- To create coziness: Rich earth tones or warm neutrals like creamy whites and soft beiges are a great match.
- For energy and light: Bright whites or bolder, playful tones can liven up a space.
Once you’re clear on the mood, you’ll naturally start to gravitate toward the right color family.
Work With What You Already Have
Unless you’re doing a full redesign, your wall color should complement what’s already in the room—things like flooring, furniture, cabinetry, countertops, rugs, and artwork.
Look at the undertones in your permanent pieces and pull inspiration from them. Even neutrals have undertones (cool grays vs. warm beiges), and choosing the wrong one can make the space feel off.
Pro tip: If you have a rug or artwork you love, try pulling one of the more subtle colors from it for your walls. It’ll tie everything together beautifully.
Don’t Underestimate Lighting
Lighting is one of the biggest factors in how a paint color will look in your space—and it can change dramatically throughout the day.
Natural Light:
- North-facing rooms get cooler, indirect light that can make colors appear grayer. Warmer tones work well here.
- South-facing rooms enjoy consistent, warm light that brings out the best in most colors.
- East-facing rooms are brighter in the morning and cooler later in the day.
- West-facing rooms start dim but glow warmly in the afternoon and evening.
Artificial Light:
The type of bulbs you use can also shift the appearance of paint:
- Warm bulbs (like 2700K LEDs or incandescents) can enhance warm tones.
- Cool/daylight bulbs (4000K–5000K) can make colors look more stark or blue.
Before committing to a color, always test samples in different lighting throughout the day. A color that looks perfect in the morning might feel totally different under your evening lamps.
Always Test Your Colors
Speaking of samples—don’t skip this step! Grab a few tester pots of your top color contenders and paint large swatches directly on your walls (2’ x 2’ is a good size). Be sure to test them in multiple spots around the room.
Check how they look:
- In natural light
- With lights on
- Morning, afternoon, and evening
This will give you a true sense of how the color behaves in your specific space. What looks dreamy on a paint chip might feel too dark or too bright once it’s up on your wall.
Match the Color to the Room’s Purpose
Different rooms call for different colors—and different types of paint finishes, too.
Bedrooms:
Go for soothing shades like dusty blue, warm taupe, or muted green. These help promote rest and relaxation.
Living Rooms: Greiges, warm whites, and muted greens are on trend for a cozy, modern look. Want drama? Try a charcoal or navy accent wall.
Kitchens: Keep it clean and timeless with soft whites, light green-blues, or creamy tones. For cabinetry, moody greens or charcoal are super stylish right now.
Bathrooms: Spa vibes are in! Pale aqua, olive, blush beige, or soft grays can make the space feel fresh and calming.
And don’t forget your finish:
- Flat/matte: Great for ceilings or low-traffic areas.
- Eggshell/satin: Ideal for most walls—easy to clean, subtle sheen.
- Semi-gloss: Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, or trim where moisture or scrubbing is involved.
Think About the Big Picture
As you choose colors for each room, remember to think about your home as a whole. Creating a cohesive flow from space to space can make your entire home feel more polished and intentional.
That doesn’t mean every room has to be the same color—but sticking to complementary tones and similar undertones (warm or cool) will help everything feel connected.
Choose What You Love
As a locally owned residential cleaning company for over 30 years, Clean and Simple Cleaning has seen many paint colors come and go and cleaned houses with very bold and subtle colors. The ones that stand out the most are the homes that most represent our client’s style.
If you love a bold navy wall or a dusty pink bathroom—even if it’s not “in” this year—go for it regardless of what is considered trendy.
If you’re unsure, try using trendy or bold colors in smaller spaces like powder rooms, entryways, or accent walls before committing to them on a larger scale.
Clean, Prep, Paint—Repeat
And finally, don’t underestimate the power of a clean surface before you paint. Dust, grime, or oils on your walls can affect how paint adheres.
This article was brought to you by Clean and Simple Cleaning, a locally owned residential cleaning company serving Edmonds to Lake Stevens and Woodinville to Marysville and everywhere in between. We believe everyone deserves a clean and healthy home—done your way.
