Choosing Paint Colours

Colour has a powerful impact on how we feel in our homes. The right interior paint colours can make rooms feel larger, cozier, or more vibrant, while influencing mood and energy. When choosing colours, consider not only aesthetics but also the psychological effect each shade can have on daily life.

Ready to explore the best interior paint colours for your home? Learn more about choosing interior colours to find expert tips, inspiration, and guidance for creating the perfect mood in every room.

The Psychology of Colour in Your Home

Colours evoke emotion. Soft tones create calm and relaxation, while bright or bold shades energize a space. The feelings a colour produces can affect your comfort, focus, and overall enjoyment of a room. Before selecting paint, think about the mood you want to create and how your furniture, lighting, and décor will interact with the colour.

Determining the Mood You Want

Explore decorating websites, magazines, or paint company brochures for inspiration. Ask yourself why certain colours appeal to you. For example: Soft, cohesive shades can make a bedroom feel serene and restful. Brighter or vibrant tones can energize kitchens, creative spaces, or home offices.

Example: This bedroom achieves calm and warmth through soft shades and a consistent palette throughout the room.
For more inspiration on creating a calm, inviting atmosphere, see the rest of this home’s beautiful interior here: ranch-style home painted in Aesthetic White.

How Colours Affect Room Perception

Light colours can make rooms feel open, airy, and brighter, while darker colours can add warmth, intimacy, or dramatic flair.

This townhouse living space was painted a light neutral to serve as a blank canvas for a large art collection, creating a bright and open feel. See more of this townhouse transformation here: Changing the wall colour of a new townhouse from brown to white.

Colour Guide

Red Colours

Red energizes and stimulates conversation, but it should be used selectively. In some rooms, it can feel overwhelming, so it is generally best applied as an accent colour. Muted or earthy reds, however, create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

Neutral Colours

Blacks, greys, whites, and browns are considered neutral colours. A room painted in neutral tones can feel calm and cohesive when paired with furnishings and décor in similar shades, or it can be enlivened with bold accent pieces. Black works best when used sparingly as an accent.

Brown Colours

Brown tones create a comfortable, grounded atmosphere. Lighter shades work well as background neutrals, while deeper browns add warmth, drama, and sophistication. Brown also pairs beautifully with unexpected colours like pink. It’s a good choice for spaces where people gather and relax, such as family rooms.

Practical Tips for Choosing Room Colours

• Test sample swatches on walls before committing.
• Consider lighting: natural and artificial light can change a colour’s appearance.
• Match colour choice to room function: relaxing bedrooms, energizing kitchens, creative offices.
• Use accent walls with complementary neutrals to balance bold colours.
• Take cues from your décor, furniture, and flooring to create harmony throughout the space.

Why Choosing Exterior House Colours Can Be Overwhelming

Selecting exterior house colours can feel overwhelming – large surfaces, changing sunlight, and surrounding materials like hardscaping, landscaping and neighbouring homes all influence how colours look on your home. With a few key principles, you can confidently choose exterior paint colours that enhance your home’s style and curb appeal.

Pay Attention To The Fixed Elements of Your Home

Before picking paint colours, take note of what can’t be changed — the “fixed” elements such as the roof, brick or stone, railings, gutters, and natural wood. Your colour palette should harmonize with these materials.

• Roofing: (metal, shingles, terra cotta) Look at undertones — for example, gray roofs may lean blue or green. You don’t need to match them exactly, but your siding should complement the tones.
• Brick or stone: Notice any flecks of colour? Strong colours like red or orange brick will influence your exterior colour choices.
• Gutters and downspouts: if they are not being painted their colour needs to be taken into consideration in your overall colour scheme.
• Windows and trim: Window cladding (white, cream, brown, or black) affects how trim looks. For example, white vinyl windows with dark painted trim create a “picture frame” look, and vice versa — an effect that might not suit every home.

Example of exterior colours that complement the fixed elements of a home. An earthy brown palette was a natural choice, drawing from the tones in the brickwork, while the dark brown trim blends seamlessly with the matching gutters and downspouts. Explore the complete exterior colour update for this house.

Example Of A Cohesive Exterior: The warm gold siding below complements the stone around the garage and contrasts beautifully with the walnut-stained wood in the gables. See the complete re-paint for a Hardie Board house exterior.

Coordinate Colours With Hardscaping And Landscaping

Your house colour palette should work with the surrounding landscape, not against it. Use the nature around your home for colour inspiration.

• Homes surrounded by trees often look best in earthy tones and natural hues.
• Echo prominent flowers or a red maple tree on your front door for a cohesive feel.
• Consider how brick driveways, walkways, or stone patios tie into your home’s exterior.

How Natural Light Affects Exterior Colours

Outdoor light makes colours look lighter and cooler than expected. When testing paint chips, look at options two shades darker and slightly warmer than your initial choice.

Example of How Colour Appears Outdoors: The house below is painted with Sherwin-Williams Inky Blue, the same colour as the chip. Notice how natural light makes it appear brighter and cooler compared to the paint chip. See the full colour transformation for this house exterior.

Each side of your home will reflect light differently. You may need to prioritize one side when choosing colours— typically the front, for maximum curb appeal.

• South-facing walls can appear washed out.
• North-facing areas look darker.
• Shaded areas under trees or overhangs deepen the colour.

Example: This farmhouse uses Benjamin Moore’s White Dove OC-17. While warm and creamy indoors, it reads as a crisp white outside. View the full exterior painting of this stylish modern farmhouse.

Selecting the Right Paint Sheen for Exteriors

All things being equal, higher-sheen paints resist dirt better and are easier to clean. If your landscaping contributes to dirt splashing back or getting blown onto your house a higher sheen might be the best option. The drawback is higher sheens highlight imperfections and texture.

Choosing paint sheens comes down to a balance of aesthetics and ease of cleaning and durability. For most exteriors:

• Flat or low-lustre finishes work best on textured surfaces like wood, stucco, or Hardie Board.
• Satin finishes are often used for trim and doors, offering a subtle shine and more durability.

Sheen affects colour appearance – the same colour tinted in various sheens of paint will look different. Colours in higher sheen paint tend to look more intense.

Hardie Board siding products can have a lot of texture and will look very different depending on the sheen of paint used. See the noticeable difference between satin sheen paint on the left that highlights the texture, while the flat paint on the right doesn’t due to the lack of reflection.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing Colours

Avoid these pitfalls to keep your house looking cohesive and timeless:

• Watch your undertones. Warm and cool tones can clash if not planned carefully.
• Don’t highlight unattractive features. Paint vents or utility boxes the same as the siding. Save the contrasting or accent colours for attractive architectural details.
• Stay neighbourhood-friendly. You don’t have to be a wallflower, but if you want to stand out, do it tastefully — don’t clash with nearby homes. Don’t pick colours that are too vibrant or bright unless they suit the particular style of your house.
• Limit your palette. Two or three colours are usually ideal, including trim and accents. Keep in mind that your roof, brick, stone work and other fixed elements are all colours on your house and contribute to the overall scheme. Too many colours on your house will make it look overly busy.
• Consider fading from sunlight exposure. Bright primary colours or dark colours can fade faster in direct sunlight. Subtrastes prone to warping like wood doors are at more risk if painted in dark colours.
• Understand how colours appear outdoors. Sunlight can make paint look lighter, cooler, or different than expected

Use Colour to Enhance Or Soften Architectural Details

Look at the architectural features on your house and decide what to highlight and what to blend in.

• Paint attractive decorative trim or gables in a complimentary colour to the house body or a contrasting or slightly darker or lighter shade.
• For busy façades, paint some elements the same colour as the siding to create calm and cohesion.

Below is a excellent example of a house that can benefit from a calmer colour scheme. It’s very busy with numerous, colours, shapes, lines and textures.

The new colour scheme ties in with the the dark stained entry pillars and upper deck railings. To calm some of the busy architectural details the vertical corner trims have been painted that same as the body colour, as well as the window trim above the upper deck patio doors. A remarkable difference! See the rest of this remarkable exterior makeover.

The house below had the opposite issue — it looked plain and lacked visual interest, with many of its architectural details blending in.
A new exterior colour scheme completely revitalized this home. The slightly deeper gray-green body adds character, while the livelier gable colour and charcoal entry doors create contrast. Painting the trim in a much lighter version of the body colour brought out the architectural details and gave the house fresh curb appeal. See how the new colour scheme looks on the rest of this Hardie Board house.

Why Muted Colours Work Well Outdoors

Bright, saturated colours that look appealing on paint chips can appear harsh or unnatural on large outdoor surfaces. Muted tones — colours with gray or earthy undertones — blend better with natural surroundings and age more gracefully. For example: if you like blue or green, choose a shade that has a slightly grayed-off tone versus a brighter version of the same colour.

Pay Attention to Undertones In Exterior Colours

Understanding undertones is key to choosing harmonious colours. Compare several options side by side — differences become more obvious that way.

To be able to pick colours that work well together and with the other elements on your home you need to get familiar with undertones. Once you understand how to identify the undertones in paint colours you’ll have more confidence in picking colours that coordinate with your home and its setting. The best way to see the undertones in a colour is by comparing it with other colours.

Example: Benjamin Moore’s Blue Heron has a violet undertone may not be that noticeable when viewed on its own, but becomes more noticeable when placed next to Van Deusen Blue — and can appear even stronger under exterior lighting.

Fade-Resistant Exterior Paint Colours

Modern paints include UV protectants, but bright and dark colours still fade faster than light, earthy tones. For longevity, opt for earthy, natural colours or toned-down versions of your favourites.

• Deep blues, greens, and reds may lose vibrancy over time.
• Muted neutrals and off-whites tend to last longest.

The photos below show how harsh sunlight affects vibrant paint colours. While the entire house has experienced some fading, the south-facing side — exposed to the most intense sun — has faded significantly more. See the dramatic before-and-after of this house re-painted in gray and white.

A Safe Approach: Use Shades from the Same Colour Family

A monochromatic palette is a timeless, low-risk option. It creates subtle contrast and visual depth without feeling busy.

• Mid-tone shade for siding
• Lighter shade for trim
• Darkest shade for the front door

Paint manufacturers typically have sample strips featuring a range of colours within the same family. The example below from Sherwin-Williams shows a monochromatic exterior colour palette that can be used in several ways. For instance, Intellectual Gray or Worldly Gray works well for the body, Alabaster for the trim, and the darker Porpoise for the front entry door and accent details.

Choosing the Right Garage Door Colour

Garage doors can be tricky — should they be the same as the body colour, the trim colour, or something different altogether? It depends on the colours being used, the style of the house and the location, size and number of overhead garage doors.

A guide to options:

• Match the trim colour for a balanced, unified look.
• Blending them in with the body colour works for some houses but it can take on the look of a monolithic structure for others.
• Most often you don’t want to draw attention to garage doors by painting them with an accent colour.
• Slightly lighter or darker tones than the main siding can add definition without harsh contrast.
• Consider using a shade or two lighter or darker than the house body to add definition without harsh contrast.

Where to Find Exterior Colour Inspiration

There’s no shortage of colour inspiration:

• Neighbourhood drives: Note colours you find attractive on homes similar in style to yours.
• Paint manufacturer tools:
  • Benjamin Moore Personal Colour Viewer lets you upload photos of your home or use the provided ones to play around with colour. Sherwin-Williams Colour Tools offers similar software and downloadable brochures. Most paint manufacturers have both online and in-store brochures for inspiration and pre-selected exterior colour palettes to look at.
• Online platforms:
  • Houzz — Search specific home styles and save ideas to a personal ideabook.
  • Pinterest — Organize boards by home type, palette, or style (e.g., “Modern Exterior Colour Combinations”).
  • Youtube – explore decorating tips and colour reviews.
  • Decorator’s blogs – a wealth of colour information

Test Paint Colours Before You Committ

It’s nearly impossible to envision an overall colour on your house from a tiny paint chip.

Once you’ve narrowed your choices:

1. Buy sample sizes – you can start by painting the colours onto poster boards so that you can move them around, but make sure you eventually test directly on your house and siding.
2. View samples at different times of day — morning, afternoon, and evening light all affect colour.
3. Compare colours beside fixed elements like brick or stone for the most accurate read.

Feeling Lost? Start by Eliminating What You Don’t Like

If you’re unsure where to begin, narrow your choices by ruling out colours you dislike. For example, if you don’t like yellows or greens, focus on blue, gray, or brown tones. This simple process helps you see which shades you will be most comfortable with in your home.

Current Paint Colour Trends

Major paint companies like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams regularly share trend forecasts online and in stores. You can also find many decorating and home improvement websites that focus on colours. Use them for inspiration, but don’t get too caught up in short-lived fads. While gray walls dominated for years, some trends fade fast—choose colours you’ll love long-term.

Tips for choosing trendy colours wisely:

• Use trend palettes as starting inspiration — but always ask: will this colour look good for you in 5 years?
• Pair a trending hue with timeless neutrals or wood/stone elements to anchor the look.
• Test how the colour appears in your room’s lighting and context, not just from the palette photo.
• Decide whether you’re using the trend for an accent or entire wall — accent usage is less risky.
• Incorporate trend colours via decorative items if you’re hesitant to commit to wall-paint.

Use Paint Manufacturer Colour Tools

Benjamin Moore’s Colour Portfolio app lets you take a photo of any object and match it to their closest paint colour. You can also upload photos of your rooms to visualize new wall, trim, and ceiling colours.

Sherwin Williams’ ColourSnap Visualizer works similarly—you can test colours on your photos or explore their preloaded examples. Their website also offers helpful resources on colour theory and how to choose paint colours that work together.

Online Resources for Colour Inspiration

Houzz and Pinterest are excellent for collecting decorating and paint ideas.

• On Houzz, create an Idea Book to save your favourite colour schemes or projects.
• On Pinterest, search for specific ideas like “calm wall colours” or “popular blue bedroom colours,” then pin them to organized boards for future reference.

You can also browse interior design blogs or YouTube reviews for insights on popular colours (e.g., “Benjamin Moore Simply White review”).

There’s Nothing Wrong With Choosing Neutral Colours

Neutrals aren’t boring—they’re timeless, versatile, and provide a perfect backdrop for furniture, artwork, and decorative accents to shine. Using neutral wall colours allows you to change your décor and accessories without repainting, making them a practical long-term choice.

Warm greige or beige walls create a cozy, comfortable atmosphere, while creamy whites bring a fresh feel to help rooms feel larger and more open.

For added interest, consider a monochromatic palette, using several shades of the same colour throughout a room or home for subtle depth and sophistication. Alternatively, many paint brands offer pre-selected complementary colour schemes, making it easier to coordinate walls, trim, ceilings, and accent features while ensuring your space feels harmonious and well-balanced.

Choosing Paint Colours for Renovations or Redecorating

When renovating or buying new furniture, choose paint last. Start with fixed elements like flooring, countertops, and cabinets, then your main furnishings. Once those are set, select paint colours that tie everything together. Paint offers endless colour options—you can always find a shade that complements your space.

Updating a Single Room Colour

Before repainting an existing room with a colour you’ve fallen in love with, consider how the new colour works with fixed elements like floors, cabinets, countertops, and furniture. Ensure it complements other elements if they are not being replaced like curtains, blinds, area rugs and artwork. These can all provide inspiration for your colour choice. Pay attention to the colour of nearby rooms to create a cohesive flow throughout your home.

How Lighting Affects Paint Colour

Lighting—both natural and artificial—can dramatically change how a colour looks.

• Natural light direction (north, south, east, west) influences whether a colour appears warm or cool.
• Artificial light bulbs cast yellow, blue, or green hues.
  Test paint samples at different times of day to see how they shift.

The same colour can appear completely different from one wall to another. You may need to accept a compromise—colours often look best at certain times of day or under specific lighting. You can try changing out your light bulbs to a different colour temperature to see if it helps.

The next two photos show how the same paint colour can look completely different depending on lighting and surroundings. All of the walls in these photos are painted with Sherwin Williams Repose Gray.

In the first photo, the natural light makes the window wall appear darker, bringing out a subtle violet undertone. The fireplace wall appears lighter with a hint of green, likely influenced by the tint of the window glass and reflected outdoor colours.

In the second photo, the dining hutch wall appears to have a slight green undertone, while the wall below the loft takes on a hint of violet. The loft wall near the railing looks noticeably cooler and more blue, showing just how much lighting and surroundings can shift the appearance of a single paint colour.

Using Accent Colours

Random accent walls can look unplanned. Use accent colours intentionally—on recessed walls, end walls, or to highlight artwork or architecture.

The photos below show how colour blocking with deep gray accent walls add contrast and depth to white rooms throughout this townhouse.

Choosing a Paint Colour for Ceilings

When repainting walls, check if your ceilings need a refresh. This is the time to get it done. Ceilings can yellow or discolor over time, especially with textured finishes. Fresh ceiling paint brightens a room. A new coat can instantly refresh and clean up the look of your interior, giving it a crisp, finished appearance.

For the best results when painting ceilings, consider these professional ceiling painting tips:

• Don’t assume your ceilings are white. Over time, they can gradually discolour, and you might not notice until you repaint your walls. Hold a sample of your new wall colour next to the ceiling—you may be surprised to see how dull or off-white they are.
• Consider the effect you want. A white ceiling gives a sense of height and openness, while a tinted or darker tone can create warmth and coziness — perfect for spaces like a den or family room.
• Use the right sheen. A flat sheen paint finish helps hide surface imperfections better than glossy finishes.

This primary bedroom before and after: The ceiling painted white, walls in light cream, and a sage green feature wall. The white ceiling brightens and refreshes the space.

In this open-concept living space, a rich green-gray was used on both the walls and the tray ceiling above the dining table. Choosing a darker accent ceiling colour instead of white helps define the dining area and enhances the architectural design. The depth of the colour adds warmth and sophistication to this interior painting project.

Creating Flow Throughout Your Home

Using the same paint colour—or subtle variations of it—throughout your home creates visual flow and harmony, which is especially important in open-concept floor plans. Start by selecting the main colours for your primary spaces, such as living rooms, kitchens, and hallways, and then build your secondary palette around them. This ensures a cohesive feel from room to room.

You can still add personality and interest by incorporating accent walls, feature rooms, or contrasting trim. Small touches like coordinating rugs, textiles, and décor reinforce the colour story and make transitions between spaces feel seamless.

Choosing Paint Chips and Applying Colour Samples

Paint chips are just the starting point for selecting your interior paint colour. Take several shades home, including lighter and darker variations, and view them under different lighting conditions to narrow down your choices.

When testing paint colours:

• Hold the colour chips next to trim if it’s not being repainted, to ensure the colours coordinate well.
• Compare the chips with your furniture and fixed elements like flooring, cabinets, and countertops.

Once you’ve narrowed your choices to one or two colours you can purchase sample-size paint from most paint manufacturers.

• Use poster boards to paint large swatches and move them around the room.
• Leave a white border around the poster board. This creates a neutral break between your existing wall colour and the new swatch, giving a truer sense of how it will look.
• View the samples at different times of day and under artificial lighting to see how the colour changes.

If you want even more confidence before committing, apply a small test area on the actual walls and trim (if being painted). Ensure the paint is opaque enough to evaluate, but avoid thick layers or ridges to reduce the need for sanding before the full application.

Paint Sheen Affects Colour Appearance

The paint sheen you choose can alter how a colour looks:

• Flat/matte: truest representation of a colour due to lack of reflection
• Eggshell/satin: moderate reflection
• Semi-gloss/high gloss: more reflection, appears more intense

Paint samples are often in eggshell or satin, so the final colour might look slightly different depending on your chosen finish.

To fully understand paint sheens see our detailed post on how sheen can have an effect on a colour.