2 minute read
How Lighting Affects Paint Color
by Expert Contributor Rick Thompson
Owner of Thompson Custom Painting
Have you ever had a room painted and the color of the finished paint job somehow looks different than you thought it would? This phenomenon is actually quite common and may occur for a number of reasons. It’s all about the lighting. The way a room is lit will ultimately determine how the colors appear. This might change throughout the day as natural light enters and leaves the room.
Natural light plays an integral part in how we perceive paint colors in our home. In the morning, sunlight is warmer because it’s lower on the horizon. It gives a yellowish cast to a space. As the day progresses to midday, sunlight develops a cool, bluish cast.
As the amount and angle of the sun changes, so will your room colors. A general rule of thumb is that if your room faces north, it will let in soft light, producing a warm effect. This means dark paints will look darker and light paints will be more dim. If the room faces south, it will have much more intense light. Dark colors will appear brighter and light colors (particularly white) can make the room look washed out.
Rooms on the west side of your home will receive warm light in the evenings and shadows in the mornings, and rooms on the east side of your home will be brighter before noon and cooler-looking in the evening.
It’s important to note that the paint’s sheen will serve to amplify or nullify these interactions with light, and can also affect color. Glossy finishes will reflect light and change the way the color looks, whereas flat finishes are less reflective and allow colors to look truer under bright light.
It’s highly recommended that you always test the paint on each wall in the room by doing a patch with two coats. Take notice of how it is affected by natural light at different times of the day. Simply holding the paint swatch up to a wall won’t give you an accurate idea of what the effect will be.
Also, furniture, decor and wall hangings all affect how light is reflected and absorbed. Be mindful of the fact that if you’re painting and testing lighting in an empty room, the room might feel slightly different once you move in the furniture. Understanding how lighting affects paint color can help ensure a happy end result.
Rick Thompson
THOMPSON
Custom Painting
at Home in Newtown Square
610-359-8500
www.ThompsonPainting.net
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