How to Choose Interior Paint Colors
Interior paint colors have the power to transform how your home looks and flows from room to room. Recently, earthy neutrals and soft jewel tones have become increasingly popular as an effective way to set the atmosphere in each space. This guide offers tips for selecting shades that suit your personal style while remaining timeless for years.
Determine Your Style & Mood
Identify Your Design Style
Before choosing colors for your space, first assess your personal aesthetic. Do you tend towards modern minimalism, classic traditional, or eclectic design? Your aesthetic should guide your color selections; soft neutrals create a relaxing ambiance while bold hues can inject energy. Mixing variations of one hue makes your room truly your own.
Set the Mood for Each Room
Color psychology plays a big role:
- Bedrooms – Soft blues and muted greens promote relaxation and tranquility.
- Living Rooms – Warm earth tones like terracotta or olive make spaces feel welcoming.
- Home Offices – Sage, gray, or blue can aid focus and productivity.
- Kitchens – Warm neutrals or vibrant greens add energy.
Find Inspiration
Draw from Personal Sources
Consider your favorite artwork, textiles or even nature as sources of color inspiration – your personal relationships will lead you to colors that feel authentic to you.
Build a Mood Board
Utilizing tools like Pinterest or Canva, gather images, fabric samples, and decor samples that help build your palette before painting begins to ensure its harmony.
Learn Color Psychology & Undertones
Color Psychology Basics
- Cool tones (blue, green) = calm and soothing
- Warm colors (yellow, terracotta) = energy and warmth
- Neutrals (beige, taupe, warm white) = versatility and balance
Color Psychology Basics
Undertones, such as red, yellow, or blue, can dramatically change how a color appears in your space. Before making your decision permanent, test samples in various lighting conditions against cabinets or floors to ensure the best fit.
Use the 60-30-10 Rule
This design principle helps balance colors:
- 60% – Primary color (walls)
- 30% – Secondary color (furniture, rugs)
- 10% – Accent color (pillows, artwork)
Create Complementary Schemes
The color wheel can help:
- Analogous – Colors next to each other for harmony
- Complementary – Opposite colors for contrast
- Monochromatic – Different shades of one hue for subtle variety
Test Colors in Real Lighting
Paint Smart with Samples
Use sample pots or peel-and-stick swatches, viewing them on different walls at various times of the day – evening lighting can alter how colours appear warmer or cooler.
Bonus Tip – Place accessories, like pillows or throws, in test colors to preview the effect.
Consider Function, Space & Flow
- Keep undertones consistent in open floor plans for visual cohesion.
- Lighter shades make rooms feel larger; darker tones add coziness.
- Match colors to function—softer for relaxation spaces, brighter for social or task-focused areas.
Incorporate 2025 Color Trends Wisely
Popular hues include olive green, terracotta, sienna, muted sapphire, dusty amethyst, and creamy beige. Use bold colors as accents rather than overwhelming your space; consider color capping, which allows wall colors to continue upward into the ceiling for depth and interest.
Emotional & Resale Considerations
Color can have a profound effect on our emotions; soothing bedrooms provide a restful refuge, while lively kitchens spark our daytime energy levels. For maximum resale value, opt for timeless neutrals in primary living areas and use deeper tones strategically to add elegance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing paint from small chips or photos alone. Always test it in your own lighting.
- Overusing dark colors in small spaces without balancing them.
- Ignoring undertones, which can cause clashes with existing finishes.
Final Thoughts
Interior paint colors that resonate should reflect both personal taste and practicality. You’ll want to choose colors that represent both of these aspects – reflect both styles while setting a mood in each room, finding inspiration, and testing your choices under real lighting conditions. By marrying individual expression with timeless design principles, your home will create a space that looks as great as it feels!
Ready to transform your space?
Our experienced painters can bring your dream home interior colors to life! Schedule a complimentary color consultation now, and let’s work together to bring your vision to life — one stunning shade at a time.
