How to Choose Paint Colors That Work in Every Light

Paint is the fastest way to change a room and the easiest way to get it wrong. The chip looked perfect in the store. On the wall it looks cold, or yellow, or nothing like the photo that inspired it.

The color didn't change. The light did. Here's how I test paint so there are no surprises.

Know which way the room faces

Orientation shapes everything:

• North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light all day. Grays turn steely and whites go flat, so warmer undertones like cream, soft clay or a warm greige balance them.
• South-facing rooms are bathed in warm light. Almost anything works, and cooler colors stay fresh instead of icy.
• East-facing rooms are bright and warm in the morning, then cooler in the afternoon.
• West-facing rooms are soft in the morning and glow orange at sunset.

Never paint a test patch straight onto the wall

Your current wall color will distort the sample. Instead, paint two coats onto large white boards, at least 12 by 12 inches, and leave a white border around the edge so you see the color on its own.

Move the samples around for two days

Tape the boards beside the window, in the darkest corner, and next to anything that won't change, like flooring, cabinetry or the sofa. Look at them in the morning, in the middle of the afternoon and at night with your lamps on. The one you still like on the second evening is the one.

Consider the sheen

Flat and matte finishes absorb light and hide imperfections, which makes them lovely for living rooms and bedrooms. Eggshell is a good all-rounder. Save satin and semi-gloss for trim, doors and anything that needs scrubbing.

Choose your paint last, not first. Fabric comes in hundreds of colors and paint comes in thousands, so it's far easier to match a wall to a sofa than the other way around.

If you remember just one thing, make it this: test big, test in place, and give it time. Your walls will thank you.