Whether you're just moving into a new home or you're looking to redesign your existing home, painting your walls can bring new life into your space. Choosing a color is the first place to start, but can often be the most overwhelming step. Read through our tips for a better idea on where to begin!

Determine the purpose of the room

The color of your walls can really set the tone of the room, so start by thinking about how you plan to use the room you're painting. Do you want the room to feel cozy for movie nights? Would you rather the room feel light and open because you plan to work in a home office? Planning for the mood you want the room to evoke is a good place to start when choosing a paint color.

Consider the lighting in the room, too. Will you have a lot of natural lighting during the day from nearby windows? Do you plan on decorating with several accent lights? For example, light colors like cream and beige can feel fresh with natural light and can make the space feel bigger, while darker colors can make a room feel intimate.

Plan around your existing decor

Although you might be planning something new for a room, there's likely at least one piece of furniture or art you know will occupy the space. Selecting a paint color too early and then realizing it clashes with your favorite rug can get your project off on the wrong foot. If the room you're painting has unique features like a fireplace or crown molding, consider painting the walls a color that will highlight their design. Don't be afraid to bring a throw pillow with you to the paint store to try to find something that matches. If your existing furniture has warm undertones, keep that in mind too so you can match accordingly.

Look at popular colors for inspiration

Popular companies will often release a color of the year with accompanying colors that pair well with what they've chosen, so you can get started with a ready-made color palette. For example, Sherwin Williams Color of the Year 2024 is Upward which is a silvery blue color. They even provided design ideas so you can get an idea of what the color looks like when it's featured in a room, which can help get you started on how to implement the color in your own space. Keep your ideas organized by brainstorming in a notebook or digitally by creating a collection on Instagram or a board on Pinterest.

Utilize color theory & color psychology

Referring to a color wheel is a great way to determine a color palette for your room. A color wheel is a way to visualize how colors work together which can make it easier to determine whether your décor will clash with the paint you choose. Warm colors like tones of red, orange, and yellow help a room feel more energetic and vibrant, while cool colors like tones of green, blue, and purple can be more calming. If you like a color, but it feels too bright, look at shades of that color with a little gray mixed in. This mutes the color and make a room feel more balanced.

Don't forget to factor in the paint's finish! Matte or flat paint often look lighter than their swatches, while glossy paints can often look darker than their swatches. Satin and eggshell finishes more closely match their swatches and are a balance between matte and glossy finishes.

Don't be afraid to test samples

Between paint chips, peel & stick swatches, and paint sample containers, there are plenty of ways to test colors before committing to paint an entire room. If you can't decide between two colors, try painting a 3 or 4 foot square on your wall and see if your feelings about the color change over the course of a week. Don't forget to check in on the color during different times of the day to better understand how the color does or doesn't reflect natural light. When you're ready to paint the whole space, try turning on some music to keep things fun, like our “Painting the House” playlist!