Let’s say you’ve chosen a paint color that goes perfectly with the walls, furniture, decor, and other elements in your room. But at certain times of the day, it looks less than perfect. Don’t be perplexed, though. The issue may not have been with the paint, but you could blame it on the lighting.

Lighting significantly influences how paint colors appear in a space. Factors like natural light, artificial lighting, and the time of day can alter the color’s perception, making it look different than intended. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider the lighting in a room when selecting paint colors to avoid unexpected results and ensure you achieve the desired ambiance.

How natural light affects paint color

• North-facing rooms: Natural light in these spaces is cooler and more muted, resulting in seemingly subdued and shadowy colors. It can enhance the depth of cooler hues but may make warmer colors feel less vibrant.
• South-facing rooms: These rooms enjoy warm, bright light throughout the day, making colors appear warmer and more vibrant. This exposure can enhance rich, bold colors, creating a lively atmosphere.
• East-facing rooms: Morning light in east-facing rooms provides a bright, warm glow, bringing out the vibrancy in colors. However, as the day progresses and the light cools, colors may shift to more neutral tones.
• West-facing rooms: In these spaces, colors appear softer during the day but take on a warm, golden hue in the afternoon and evening. This change can create a cozy, inviting ambiance, especially with warm and earthy tones.

Artificial lighting and its impact on colors

• Incandescent lighting: Incandescent bulbs emit a warm, yellowish light that can enhance the warmth and saturation of paint colors. This type of lighting often makes colors appear cozier and more inviting, which can benefit living spaces.
• LED lighting: Modern LED bulbs are available in various color temperatures, ranging from warm to cool. This versatility allows homeowners to select lighting that enhances specific paint colors. However, cooler LED lights can sometimes dull warmer tones, leading to a less vibrant appearance.
• Fluorescent lighting: Fluorescent lights typically cast a cooler, blue-green hue, potentially making paint colors look sterile or washed out. This lighting can be less flattering, particularly for warmer or earthier tones, and may affect the overall ambiance of a space.
• Halogen lighting: Halogen bulbs provide a bright, white light that resembles natural daylight. This lighting allows paint colors to appear truer to their actual hue, making it easier to assess colors accurately. It enhances clarity and vibrancy, showcasing the paint’s intended character.

The influence of color temperature

• Warm light: Warm lighting, such as incandescent bulbs and warm LED lights, casts a cozy and inviting glow that enhances earthy tones, reds, yellows, and warm neutrals. These colors appear more vibrant under warm light, creating a comforting atmosphere. In contrast, cool colors like blues and greens can appear duller and less lively, as warm lighting tends to overshadow their natural vibrancy.
• Cool light: Cool lighting, including cool LED and fluorescent bulbs, enhances cool colors like blues, grays, and greens. These hues appear fresher and more striking under such lighting. However, warm colors like reds and yellows may seem less vibrant and more muted, as the cool light can wash out their warmth, diminishing their impact in a space.
• Daylight bulbs: Daylight bulbs provide a neutral, balanced light that almost resembles natural daylight. This type of lighting allows colors to appear more accurate to life, ideal for spaces where color fidelity is essential, such as in art studios or design environments. Daylight bulbs strike a harmonious balance, allowing warm and cool colors to maintain their vibrancy, promoting a well-rounded and visually appealing atmosphere.

The impact of time of day on paint color appearance

• Morning light: In the morning, the light is softer and more diffused, which can cause colors to appear more soothing and less vibrant. This gentle light often reduces harsh shadows and highlights, creating a calm atmosphere.
• Midday light: At midday, natural light is at its brightest and most neutral, allowing colors to show their true characteristics. It is the ideal time to assess paint colors, as it reveals their full vibrancy without the influence of shadows or other colors.
• Evening light: The warm, golden glow of evening light enhances warm tones, making them look more saturated and inviting. It creates a cozy atmosphere, ideal for living spaces and bedrooms.
• Artificial lighting at night: When relying on artificial lighting in the evening, several lightbulb types can significantly alter color perception. Warm bulbs can amplify warm tones, while cooler bulbs might enhance cooler shades, leading to variations in how colors are experienced compared to daylight.

Tips for choosing paint color based on lighting

Choosing the right paint colors based on lighting can significantly affect the overall feel of a space. Here are some key tips to consider:

1. Test samples in different lighting: Always paint test swatches on your walls and observe them throughout the day. Colors can appear dramatically different in morning, afternoon, and evening light, so it’s essential to see how they change with natural sunlight and the artificial lighting you use.
2. Consider your primary light source: Identify the dominant light source in the room—whether it’s natural light from windows or artificial light from fixtures. Doing so will help guide your color selection. For example, warm, golden light can enhance warmer paint tones, while cool, fluorescent lights can make colors appear more soothing.
3. Use lighting to enhance or balance color: Choose your light bulbs wisely; different types (like LED, incandescent, or CFL) emit varying color temperatures that can enhance or mute the qualities of your paint color. Additionally, consider the placement of your fixtures to create balance, ensuring that the light complements the color rather than clashing with it.
4. Use adjustable or dimmable lighting: Installing dimmable lights can provide flexibility, allowing you to control the intensity of the light. This adaptability can help you appreciate how your chosen colors look at different times of day, making it easier to create the desired atmosphere in your space.

Considering these aspects helps homeowners choose paint colors that harmonize beautifully with the lighting in their rooms.

Common mistakes to avoid when considering lighting

When considering lighting for your home, avoiding common mistakes can make a significant difference in your space’s overall look and feel:

1. Choosing paint without testing: Selecting a paint color solely based on how it appears in-store or on a paint chip can lead to disappointing results. Colors can look drastically different in various lighting conditions. It’s essential to test paint samples in the actual space where they’ll be applied, observing how the color changes throughout the day as natural light shifts.
2. Ignoring artificial light sources: Different light bulbs emit varying color temperatures, potentially impacting how paint colors are perceived. For instance, warm white bulbs can make colors appear softer, while cool white or daylight bulbs can enhance brightness and alter hues. Pay attention to the type of lighting used in the room, especially in areas with limited natural light.
3. Relying on one light source: Consider a mix of natural and artificial light sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of how paint colors will look. This approach allows you to see how colors react in different settings and under various lighting conditions, helping you select a hue that remains consistent and appealing throughout the day.

How a professional painter can help with color selection

It’s always a good idea to turn to a professional painting company that enhances your color selection process. A professional can provide

1. Expert advice on lighting and color: Professional painters understand how different lighting conditions—natural light, artificial light, and the time of day—affect color perception. They can help homeowners select colors that match their vision and complement the unique lighting in their space.
2. Customized paint recommendations: They can recommend specific paint finishes—such as matte, satin, or gloss—tailored to the room’s lighting and intended use. This ensures that the chosen colors look their best and perform well in various environments.
3. Color consultations: Many painting companies offer personalized color consultations, providing homeowners with expert guidance to avoid common pitfalls. This collaborative approach helps clients choose colors that harmonize with their décor and create the desired atmosphere in any light condition.

Professional painters leverage their expertise to help homeowners make informed and confident color choices for their spaces.

Parting words

When selecting paint colors, natural and artificial lighting must be considered, as this dramatically influences how a color appears in the space. It makes sense for homeowners to paint several test colors in various lighting conditions to find the best match for their room’s environment. 

If you need expert guidance in choosing paint colors that complement your home’s unique lighting, Custom Painting, Inc. invites you to take advantage of our free consultation and estimate offer. Call us at 925-686-0903 or message us on our contact page. Let’s create a beautifully coordinated space together!