Choosing paint colours can feel overwhelming when you're staring at hundreds of swatches, but the secret to success is simpler than you think: start with what you already have. Your existing furniture, artwork, and accessories are the perfect roadmap to finding colours that will make your space feel cohesive and intentional.
Start with Your Anchor Pieces
Look around your room and identify your largest or most important pieces – your sofa, area rug, artwork, or curtains. These anchor pieces should guide your colour choices, not compete with them. Pull out the colours you see in these items, including subtle undertones you might not notice at first glance.
That navy sofa might have gray undertones that would look stunning on the walls. Your patterned rug probably contains three to five colours that could work beautifully as wall colours. Even wood furniture has undertones – cherry wood has red undertones, while oak tends toward yellow.
Use the 60-30-10 Rule
Interior designers swear by this formula: 60% dominant colour, 30% secondary colour, and 10% accent colour. Your walls typically represent the 60%, so choose a colour that complements rather than competes with your major furnishings.
If your sofa is a bold color, consider a neutral wall that lets it shine. If your furniture is mostly neutral, you can be bolder with wall colour. The 30% might be your window treatments or throw pillows, while the 10% could be artwork or decorative objects.
Work with Undertones, Not Against Them
Every colour has undertones – the subtle hints of other colours that influence how we perceive the main shade. Cool undertones include blue, green, and purple, while warm undertones include red, orange, and yellow. Match your wall colour undertones to your existing pieces for a harmonious look.
If your hardwood floors have warm honey tones, avoid paint colours with cool gray undertones that will make the wood look orange. Instead, choose colours with warm undertones that complement the wood's natural warmth.
Consider Your Room's Purpose and Mood
Different rooms call for different color strategies. Bedrooms benefit from calming colors that promote rest, while home offices might need energizing hues that boost productivity. Dining rooms can handle richer, more dramatic colours since you typically use them in the evening with softer lighting.
Think about how you want to feel in each space, then choose colours that support that mood while working with your existing decor.
Test Colours with Your Actual Pieces
Once you've narrowed down your choices, test them properly. Paint large swatches on your walls and observe how they look with your furniture, rugs, and artwork throughout the day. Move accessories around near your test swatches to see how they interact.
Lighting dramatically affects how colours appear, so check your test colours in morning sunlight, afternoon light, and evening artificial light. What looks perfect at noon might feel completely different at 7 PM when you're actually using the room.
Create Flow Between Rooms
If your rooms are visible from one another, consider how your colour choices work together. You don't need to use the same colour throughout your home, but there should be a connecting thread. This might be similar undertones, coordinating neutrals, or a consistent colour temperature (all warm or all cool).
When in Doubt, Go Neutral
Neutrals aren't boring – they're versatile. A well-chosen neutral provides the perfect backdrop for your existing decor and gives you flexibility to change accessories over time. Look for neutrals that complement your anchor pieces rather than generic beiges or grays.
Consider greige (gray-beige blends), warm whites, or soft blues and greens that work as neutrals while adding subtle interest.
Trust Your Instincts
After considering all the technical aspects, trust your gut feeling. You'll be living with this color every day, so choose something that makes you happy when you see it. If a colour feels right with your decor and lighting, it probably is right.
The goal isn't perfection – it's creating a space that feels cohesive, comfortable, and uniquely yours. Use your existing decor as your guide, test your choices thoroughly, and choose colours that support the mood and function you want in each room.
From now until September 15th, all gallons of interior Regal Select paint is 20% off! Come visit us in store and we can help you choose your next favourite colour or colour combination to get that fall paint project off the ground.