Considering a fresh coat of paint for your home’s exterior? It’s amazing how a new shade can give both your home and your spirits a lift. However, this exciting change can sometimes lead to the all-too-common paint color dilemma.

It’s something every homeowner encounters. Whether you’re updating the entire exterior, adding a pop to a single room, or just revamping a door, choosing the right shade is crucial. The stakes? Picking a color that doesn’t match your vision, leaving you wondering if the neighbors are silently judging. But fear not, for every paint predicament, there’s a perfect solution waiting to be discovered!

Navigating the maze of paint colors can often feel like an unsolvable puzzle. Most people often resort to:

1. Choosing their favorite shade and crossing their fingers.
2. Seeking the collective wisdom of friends and family.
3. Posting on design forums like Houzz, only to get overwhelmed with diverse suggestions.
4. Going down the rabbit hole of color blogs and becoming perplexed by the term “undertones”.
5. Painting multiple sample colors on their wall and feeling like they’re in a never-ending loop of indecision.
6. Consulting a certified color strategist.

Among these, the last option is truly the game-changer. Here’s why:

• Your favorite color might not necessarily match your home’s permanent fixtures. Whether it’s your exterior finishes or your interior countertops and flooring, you need to ensure harmony.
• Everyone has an opinion, but remember, you’re the one living in your space. What’s aesthetically pleasing to others might not resonate with you.
• Online experts, though well-intentioned, aren’t privy to the specific lighting conditions and nuances of your home. Computer screens rarely capture true colors!
• The term “undertones” often muddies the waters. Colors in different lighting conditions can be deceiving. It’s essential not to get bogged down by the jargon.
• Using multiple swatches is a good start. But remember, colors can influence each other, and it’s essential to view each shade in isolation.
• A certified color strategist is your best ally. They blend the art and science of color, offering a trained eye and understanding the physics of color. This ensures your chosen shade complements the specific fixtures and lighting conditions of your home.

In essence, while color can be subjective, its impact on a space is tangible. With tools like a colorimeter, experts can objectively measure colors, aligning them perfectly with your home’s needs. So, next time you’re caught in the color conundrum, remember, there’s a science to it, and the right expert can make your colorful dreams a reality!

So what is this magical device? A Color Muse! While this device can be used by anyone to find paint colors to match an existing color, the real power comes from understanding what the color data means and how to use it.

Diving into a color dilemma is akin to playing detective. Let’s unravel one such case I encountered. Upon arriving at the residence, what greeted me was a splash of color swatches on the walls and the door. A classic sign of the homeowner’s quest and confusion in pinpointing that elusive perfect shade. The scene screamed ‘color dilemma’ loud and clear.

At the outset, the intention was evident: the homeowner wanted a fresh look but was overwhelmed by the options. They had tried multiple colors, hoping one would stand out and feel “right”. But instead, what they had was a mosaic of possibilities, with no clear winner.

Let me walk you through the art and science of solving this color dilemma. My clients had a vision of their ideal color palette: a hue that struck a balance between gray, green, and brown. They also wanted to preserve the natural wood and metal trim while introducing a vibrant front door. A classic scenario where husband and wife couldn’t quite agree on the perfect color.

The wood siding and metal trim had now transformed into fixed finishes, dictating the color harmony for the entire exterior. The roof color remained hidden from sight, so it didn’t play a role in the selection. Additionally, there was almost black metal trim on the deck railings and around the front door, which was not up for a paint makeover and thus became another fixed finish. To add to the equation, a stark white garage door stood prominently, making it the most eye-catching feature due to its lighter shade than the rest of the elements.

Applying the art of color, I decided to make the garage door recede by painting it a dark color. The trim color on the railings, determined by measurement, also seemed ideal for the window trim and garage to maintain harmony amidst the three other colors designated for the walls, wood, and metal vertical trim. This color turned out to be Sherwin Williams Caviar, aligning perfectly with the measured hue, chroma, and values of the wood and metal vertical wall.

Next, it was time to identify a wall color that would complement these fixed finishes in terms of hue, chroma, or lightness. Several options on the color wheel were considered, such as an analogous scheme (colors close to each other on the wheel), a complimentary scheme (opposite colors), or a triadic scheme (colors evenly spaced on the wheel). By narrowing down the choices, my clients ultimately selected Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray with a hint of “green” that aligned with their preferences.

The final piece of the puzzle was the front door. To create a harmonious connection with the landscaping, a color inspired by the vibrant green bushes in the front was proposed. Measuring a leaf with my trusty colorimeter led us to the perfect shade: Sherwin Williams Hep Green.

And voilà! The color dilemma was elegantly resolved, resulting in a stunning transformation.

Did they like the end result? Here is what they said.

Need Help with Your Color Dilemma?

Set up a color consultation today. I can work with you locally or online nationwide.  Easy, collaborative and fun!

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I Bet you. Why? Because most people do. Why? Because this bad advice is all over the internet. Why? Because people continue to repeat this bad information on blogs and in forums, so most people think it is true.

Mistake #1-Testing paint colors against a white background

People often think white is a perfect neutral background to see the true characteristics of the color they are testing.  Looking at your color against the old paint color can affect your perception of the new color. White seems like a great solution. Some believe that painting colors on a white background can magically make those mystical undertones appear.

The only thing that is true about the information above is that your perception of color can be influenced by adjacent colors. Whites are hues just like any other color, they just have so little chroma that it is hard to tell what hue family they came from. There are lots of shades of white, so of course a white can still influences how your color looks in comparison. In addition, there is no such thing as an “undertone” the way most people describe it. That is just a term people use when they are subjectively expressing their opinion of what hue family that white or gray came from. It is just an opinion that is often wrong and can easily be measured and determined scientifically in about 5 seconds without having to paint anything.

The biggest reason however not to test your color against a white background is that the “white” will make all colors look washed out. The intensity of the white can cause you to misread both the lightness and chroma or saturation of the color you are testing. The color will appear darker, duller or grayer, and less colorful than it is. So, it is deceiving and when you paint your room or house, it will appear much lighter, brighter and more colorful than you expected. See the example below in which I put  Sherwin Williams “Moscow Midnight” on a white background.

What if you put your color against a black background? It has the opposite effect, but still has the effect of distorting how your color may look in your room. Black makes your color look lighter, brighter and more colorful than it is, so when you paint your room you may be surprised with how much darker and duller the color appears than you expected. In the picture above, see how Moscow Midnight looks on a black background compared to on the white background.

So, what can you do then? Paint on a gray background! Gray is the most neutral and will have the least effect in changing how the color appears. Look at the example of Moscow Midnight on the gray background to see what I mean.

Of course, you can use this effect of the contrast between two colors in your designs if you choose as in the example above where the walls are painted Moscow Midnight and the ceiling and trim are painted a shade of white. It is just something to be aware of when you are determining your colors to start with.

Mistake #2-Testing several paint colors next to each other

People often take their white background and then paint a variety of colors next to each other in a line to compare and see what they like best. This is a totally ineffective way to compare color because each color is affecting the way you see the adjacent color.

This happens because of what is called “simultaneous contrast”.  This could happen when one color is laid on top of the other such as in the examples in “Mistake #1”, where for example you put Moscow Midnight on a white background and the white makes it look darker and grayer.

Or it can happen when you paint a bunch of test samples next to each other as in the picture below. If you place color compliments next to each other (colors opposite each other on a color wheel) like red and green, they each make the other look more colorful and brighter. So, in the picture below, the green next to the red is making the red look redder, and the red is making the green look greener.

If the two colors are not complimentary like the red and orange next to each other, each color tends to influence the other by add a touch of its own compliment color to the adjacent one. For example, the compliment of red is green, so the red is adding a slightly greenish tint to the way the orange looks. The compliment of the orange is blue, so it is adding a slightly bluish tint to the way the red looks.

I realize right now you are thinking, What the Heck is she Talking About??  Yes, I know. It sounds weird but it’s true. One of those cool things about color science you never knew!!

In any case, if you are trying to evaluate a color, do not paint a wall full of samples right next to each other. You are just making things harder on yourself!! Look at each color by its little lonesome self.

Mistake #3- Painting several test colors on your wall

Why is this a mistake? Well, for one, as I mentioned above, you probably confused yourself. But also, after you have chosen your new color and you paint over your test swatches, you may have raised streaks under the new paint job that are now visible.  Yes, it happens a lot.  The only way to get rid of these is to sand down the raised edges before painting or continue to put more coats on until they are not visible which is time consuming and expensive.

You can avoid this mistake by purchasing removable stick on swatches of the color you want to test rather that painting on the wall. Try Swatch Rite samples . Not only are they removable, but the shape (round) is easier on the eyes in terms of evaluating colors.

Is that Cussing I Hear?

Now that I have told you the three common mistakes I bet you have made, I can hear some of you cussing me through the computer because you may have made them all at the same time last time you painted.   You are not alone.

And you may be thinking, well, why should I listen to you since it was another “color expert” that told me to make these mistakes in the first place?

Bottom line, science is science. It is what it is. Most people do not know the science of color and many don’t want to know. They want to just use their “eyes” and the art of color, because it may appear to be more fun. I prefer to use both. It makes life a lot easier and quicker when trying to come up with great paint colors!

Sorry, There’s More

As a certified color strategist that uses the art and science of color, I regret to inform you that there is lots of bad color information out there on the internet besides what I have told you above. Yup, it’s true. But guess what?  The science of color can cut through all the BS and help you get your colors right the first time, saving you time, money and stress!   Are you ready to try a new approach? And, even though there is some science involved, it is still fun!!

Set up a color consultation today. I can work with you locally or online nationwide. To work together online, I will have you purchase a Color Muse and teach you how to use it to send me the data. Easy, collaborative and fun!

Get Your Free Report

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Prices are subject to change without notice.

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Learn More About the Art and Science of Color

I am proud to say I am a certified color strategist! And, the only one in Alaska! As a design professional, I was truly impressed with the color training I received from Lori Sawaya​ of Camp Chroma. Finally, a training program that uses the scientific method of explaining how color works based on an established color system that skips all the subjective talk about undertones that leaves everyone feeling confused. Color is complex and this training explained color data so we can make informed decisions based on the science, rather than on subjective opinion or color sense.Click on the picture to find out more about the best training class on color available, the Four Pillars of Color!.

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Does choosing paint colors make you anxious?

It’s common because many don’t understand color science, even some experts. There’s a lot of misleading information about selecting paint colors, leaving many confused and unsure.

Don’t worry!

 

The easiest way to confidently choose your colors is by seeking advice from a real color expert. Ignore the internet clutter and well-meaning, but potentially misguided, advice from friends and family. Here are some essential things to remember.

Don’t Listen to Friends, Family or the Internet

Everyone might suggest colors for your space, but remember, most of these suggestions may not be right for you. Why?

They aren’t you; they don’t know your personal tastes. They don’t live in your home; they don’t know how your fixed finishes look in various lights. They don’t see colors the way you do; everyone’s vision and perception are unique. Unless they’re trained color strategists, capable of interpreting color data, they don’t have the full picture to make the best color choices

Steer clear of seeking advice from online forums like Houzz. Photos of your home can’t accurately convey your space’s unique colors – they’ll look different on every screen and won’t reflect your home’s true hues. A color combo that works in one home might not suit yours. 

Anyone advising based on a photo simply doesn’t understand color well enough.

Determine What Colors You Really Like

Seems straightforward, but choosing from countless colors can be daunting! Start by identifying colors that bring you joy and make you feel good. It might be easier to start by ruling out colors you strongly dislike

Narrow Color Choices Based on Fixed Finishes

Once you know what you really like, you do need to consider some “limitations” on what you can pick. They are your fixed finishes and narrow your choices to ones that look good with those things you are unlikely to change any time soon such as flooring, countertops, stonework, and more, Some Colors Are Bossy. Will You Listen to Them? to learn more.

Stay in a Lane

Commonly, homeowners mix grays and browns, leading to less-than-ideal results. With the passing gray trend, many people paired gray elements with their brown woodwork, but this often looks off.

The key to blending grays and browns is using the right hues, values, and chroma – something color science can help with.

 

But without this understanding, it’s best to stick to either grays or browns. Choose a lane (gray or brown) and select colors that harmonize with your choice

Ignore Undertones

There’s a lot of misinformation online about ‘undertones.’ People often use ‘undertone’ to describe how they see a color in a specific location, lighting, and time. However, this is subjective and inconsistent.

 

In reality, an ‘undertone’ is the color revealed when a paint layer is scraped off.

 

So, don’t get caught up in discussions about undertones. It’s likely to add confusion rather than clarity.

Don’t Paint a Bunch of Samples on a Wall Next to Each Other

When choosing paint colors, whether on your own or with an expert, painting samples in your space to observe them under different lighting conditions is crucial.

 

Many people paint various color samples side by side on a white background to compare. However, this isn’t effective. Why?

 

 Because each color alters how you perceive the adjacent one due to a phenomenon called ‘simultaneous contrast.

 

For instance, if you paint a dark color like ‘Moscow Midnight’ on a white background, the white makes it seem darker and grayer. Similarly, painting complementary colors (those opposite each other on the color wheel) side by side can make them appear more vibrant. For example, green seems greener when next to red, and vice versa. 

 

So, be mindful of this when comparing color samples.

It is better to paint on paper or something moveable rather than the wall, and look at colors individually in different light conditions.

When colors that aren’t complementary, like red and orange, are placed next to each other, they subtly affect each other’s appearance. For instance, red might make orange look slightly greenish, and orange could give red a slightly bluish tint.

 

I know, it might sound odd! But that’s one of the fascinating aspects of color science.

 

So, when evaluating colors, avoid painting a wall full of samples side by side. It complicates things! Instead, examine each color individually.

Look at Your Colors on a Gray Background- Not White

Many think white is the perfect neutral background to test colors. While it’s true that adjacent colors can influence your perception, white is not the solution. Just like other colors, white comes in various shades and can influence how your chosen color appears.

More importantly, the concept of ‘undertones’ that many refer to is often just a subjective opinion about the origin of a particular white or gray. In reality, this can be scientifically determined in seconds without painting anything.

 

The key issue with testing colors against a white background is that it can make all colors seem washed out, darker, duller, and less colorful. But once you paint your space, the color will appear much lighter, brighter, and more vibrant than expected.

 

For example, if you test Sherwin Williams ‘Moscow Midnight’ against a white background, it will look different than when applied to a full room.

Testing colors against a black background? It also distorts the appearance of your color, but in the opposite way to white. Black makes colors look lighter, brighter, and more colorful. When applied to a whole room, the color might look darker and duller than expected.

 

So, what’s the solution? Test your colors on a gray background. Gray is the most neutral color and will have the least influence on your chosen color. For example, Moscow Midnight appears truer to its actual color when viewed against gray.

Don’t Let Your Whites Look Dirty

Choosing white might seem simple, but it can be trickier than you think. Every white has a hint of color, or hue, with minimal chroma or saturation. If you’re planning to use different whites in the same space, ensure they harmonize well.

 

Whites that are too similar in color values can make each other appear ‘dirty’. So, picking the right whites can be just as important as choosing your main colors.

Find One Thing In Common

Creating a harmonious color scheme involves having a shared element – be it hue, value, or chroma – across your selections. Make sure to maintain this common thread throughout your home for a cohesive look

Use the Color Wheel to Make a Plan

After identifying your favorite colors that also complement your fixed finishes, the next step is forming a color scheme. A color wheel can be a great tool here, helping you see which color relationships you’re drawn to. You might prefer a monochromatic or complementary scheme, or perhaps a diad, triad, or tetrad arrangement. A split complementary scheme could also work well. 

With the help of a color wheel and color science, you can create a scheme that truly resonates with you. A color strategist can really help with this.

Use the Science of Color to get Extraordinary Color

Color science is a powerful tool. It helps pinpoint your favorite colors, select options that match your fixed finishes, create a harmonious color palette, and even choose the ideal whites. It removes the guesswork, ensuring fantastic results the first time around.

 

Embracing color science can elevate your color choices to a new level, leading to extraordinary results. If you’re unsure, consider hiring a professional with color science knowledge. The outcome will undoubtedly be worthwhile.

You are Making My Head Hurt

Now that I have told you how to not screw up your paint colors, you may be realizing that color is more complex than you thought.

Understanding the complexity of color might make you second-guess advice from well-meaning friends or even online experts. But why listen to me? Well, don’t just take my word for it – trust the science.

 

Many might ignore the science of color, preferring to rely solely on their ‘eyes’ and the art of color, as it seems simpler and more enjoyable. However, combining both the science and art of color leads to quicker, easier, and ultimately more stunning results

Are You Ready to Try a New Approach?

As a certified color strategist, I combine the art and science of color to eliminate guesswork and help you select the perfect paint colors. Let’s bypass the misinformation and aim for accurate, stress-free color selection the first time around, saving you time and money. Ready for a fresh approach?

Stop stressing about picking your paint colors and finishes with this science-based 2-hour color consultation. Learn More.

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Online $550.00 USDIn Person $675.00 USD

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