How to Choose Paint Colours for Your Home: 5 Expert Tips

May 4, 2023
3 min read

Photo of open paint tins with colour swatches

Time to freshen up the lounge or perhaps bring the laundry into the 21st century? It is amazing how colour plays such an important role in our lives, but knowing how to choose paint colours that not only fit the purpose of the room but isn’t too “cold” or “flat”, can sometimes be a little challenging. And with increased costs these days, you certainly don’t want to go buying litres of paint only to find out that it’s the wrong shade!

Whether you’re about to embark on repainting your bedroom or your entire house, this post will cover some of the main things to consider when choosing colours and offer some tips on how to avoid the common pitfalls people often make.

How to Choose Paint Colours Based on the Room's Purpose

A great starting point is to think about the rooms you want to paint and their purpose. Bedrooms tend to use more restful and cozier colours such as shades of blue, green, white, or beige. Colours evoke emotion, so considering the room’s purpose will help choose colours to enhance the mood.

Photo of bedroom showing a desk, chair and mirror on it, with a bed in the centre of the room. The colour pallette in the room is green.

Build a Paint Colour Palette That Works Together

A colour palette is a collection of colours that work well together. Inspiration can come from nature, art, Pinterest, or your colleague’s jersey! Start with three colours for your palette - you can always add more if you wish. Of course, if you are not replacing the carpet or floorboards, you must ensure that your paint colours still match these and any other fixtures in the room, ie bathroom vanity. Bear in mind that standard practice is to use the same colour for the ceiling and trims (although different paint products).

If you're unsure where to start, it can help to see just how much difference paint can make. Our blog, How Paint Can Transform a Room, explores how the right paint colours can completely change the look, feel, and atmosphere of a space, often without the need for major renovations.

Photo of a smoky blue couch against a patterned blue wall with gold and taupe decorative touches.

Keep Your Paint Colour Palette to Three or Four Colours

Now that you’ve chosen a colour palette, it’s best to keep your colour selection to a minimum to maintain consistency. Too many colours can make a space feel confusing or overwhelming and there is no cohesion tying everything together. Wellington painters Orkney Group suggest choosing one neutral primary colour and adding two others as accents. The primary colour should be in every room to keep a sense of continuity. Be sure to use each colour twice throughout the house. If you have more than 3 colours to your palette, don’t feel pressured to cram all colours into each room.

Photo of a yellow chair against an egg blue wall, beside a small dark wooden table

Always Test Paint Colours Before You Commit

Most paint companies sell small test pots of colour so that you can test them out to see how they look in the room and ensure they match other colours. We recommend painting a part of the room that gets sunlight and a part that doesn’t, if possible, because it can look different in natural and artificial lighting. Be sure to see how the colours look against the existing furniture too.

Photo fo a cotton candy coloured couch with 2 forest green bucket chairs against a candy pink wall

Choose Timeless Paint Colours Instead of Following Trends

As tempting as it may be to choose trending colours, be mindful that they may be a passing fad. We suggest going with tried-and-true colours that have stood the test of time, so you won’t need to repaint in a couple of years.

Photo of a timber-looking bathtub in a bathroom with a white ceiling and dark slate coloured walls.

Choosing the right paint colours can completely transform the look and feel of your home. By considering the purpose of each room, creating a balanced colour palette, and testing your colours before you commit, you'll be well on your way to achieving a finish you'll enjoy for years to come.

If your project involves more than just a fresh coat of paint, our blog Planning a Renovation in Wellington offers practical advice to help you prepare, budget, and make informed decisions before work begins.

If you're still unsure which paint colours will work best in your home, the team at Orkney Painting & Decorating is always happy to offer practical advice. Whether you're repainting a single room or your entire home, we can help you achieve a professional finish that's built to last. Learn more about our Painting & Decorating services or contact us for a no-obligation quote.