How Lighting Affects Paint Color and Why it Matters

The idea of painting your walls is an ideal option to revitalize your home's ambience, but selecting the right color for your walls can be a challenge.

Understanding how lighting influences the color of paint can make sure that you get a pleasing end result.

One of the factors that you must consider when selecting a new paint color is how its appearance will change when the lighting in the space changes.

This is what we mean: Do you have the experience of putting on socks only to find later, under different lighting conditions, that the socks you put on are actually two distinct colors? The technical term used for the phenomenon we're talking about can be described as "illuminant metamerism." It is simply the fact that colors can appear in different shades in different lighting. This is important as, for instance, the new, cool color you are swooning over at the paint shop might not be as appealing as you'd expect for your dining room walls. It might look great in your dining area, but it's a bit too excessive "pop" in the family room. Tricky, right?

Illuminant metamerism might not be the most significant thing on the planet with regards to socks; however, when it comes to the color of the interior of your house, it could matter quite a bit!

The hues can also change during the day, as the light conditions change from morning to evening. Understanding how light affects the color of paint before you decide to buy gallons of paint will assist you in choosing your paint well.

How Sunlight Affects Paint Colors

The natural light that enters your windows is the most accurate color representation, whether for better or for worse. This is why colors look different when you view your wall than in the light bulbs of the store.

When choosing colors for paint, take into consideration the size and the number of windows, as the direction they are placed:

The windows facing south typically offer the brightest natural light, but it can be harsh on warm summer afternoons. White and pale colors may appear dull or faded, whereas darker shades may appear brighter.

Rooms with windows that face north receive indirect light that infuses the room with a soft, warm color that stays consistent throughout the daytime. The darker colors tend to appear darker, while light hues might appear slightly less pronounced. (Note If you reside on the south side of the hemisphere, the opposite is the case: Windows in the north are more intensely lit, and south windows offer indirect natural light.)

Windows that face east could fill your room with lots of light during the morning, but they tend to be dark later in the day. Dark hues appear intense in the bright morning light; however, they can have an unattractive look when the morning light dims.

Rooms facing west, which are darker in the morning, are bathed in vibrant golden or yellow tones in the afternoon. The yellow or red hues can be overpowering on sunny, bright days.

Every house has unique lighting patterns, which influence the interior color. Other things to consider are the climate you live in, as well as the seasonal fluctuations in light. In the ideal scenario, colors must be attractive to you in various lighting conditions. Another factor to take into consideration is the geographical location.

The farther north you go, the bluer the light appears, which is why longer wavelengths are more common. Some experts in paint believe that this may influence how a color appears. They believe that light appears redder in the south and has shorter wavelengths. Some off whites, such as Kilim Beige SW 60106 notice this. They may catch light reflections from green to the trees or reflect light from the red stain on the deck, altering it, much like the chameleon!