Quick answer: Test three colours on large samples in the room, look at them in morning, midday and evening light for a few days, and pick the one that works in all of them. The undertone (warm or cool) matters more than the name of the colour, because undertones clash with floors, counters and furniture.
Test big, not smallSamples at least 60 x 60 cm show the true colour.
Light changes everythingNorth light is cooler; south light is warmer and brighter.
Undertones decideWarm and cool versions of the same colour look very different together.
Match the fixed elementsFloors, counters and cabinets set the palette the paint must live with.
A colour is only right when it works in the light the room actually gets.
A colour is only right when it works in the light the room actually gets.
Are you ready to choose a colour?

Four or five ticked? You are ready to choose. Fewer? Take the fixed elements and the light first, then return to the colour.

Reading undertones and light

Check What to look for Why it matters
Undertone Warm (yellow, red) or cool (blue, grey) Undertones clash with floors and counters
North light Cooler, bluer light Warm colours can look grey
South light Warmer, brighter light Cool colours can look washed out
East or west light Warm at sunrise or sunset Colour shifts across the day
Artificial light Colour temperature of the bulbs Warm bulbs make colours look richer

How to test a colour properly

1
Pick three candidates

Choose three colours that suit the room style.
2
Paint large samples

Use 60 x 60 cm boards, painted on two different walls.
3
Watch it for days

Look at each board in the morning, midday, evening and under lamps.
4
Check next to fixed elements

Hold each board beside the floor, counter and cabinets.
5
Decide with the room

Pick the one that works in every light, then buy the full order.

Common colour mistakes

Choosing from a small chip

A chip shows a small patch in one light. A wall shows the colour across a room. Always test large.

Ignoring the floor

A warm floor and a cool wall can look wrong together. Check undertones against the floor before you buy.

Matching the dark trim to the wall too closely

Very close matches can look flat. A small contrast often reads cleaner, depending on the room.

Frequently asked questions

How many colours should I test?

Three is a good number. More than that and the decision gets hard. Narrow to three on the chip, then test on large samples.

Should I paint the ceiling white?

Often yes, a flat, slightly warmer or cooler white that matches the undertone of the walls. Some rooms look better with a painted ceiling in the wall colour, which is a design choice.

How long should I wait before deciding?

Give it a few days. A colour that looks right on day one can look different after a week of changing light.

Related searches: how to choose paint colour, paint colour undertones, paint samples testing, best paint colour for north facing room, paint colour light

Related: Painting services, where colour and undertone are decision 4 of nine.

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