The 3 Most-Asked Color Questions

Choosing colors for your home should feel fun and creative. But for many people, when it’s time to peruse a paint store or scroll through an online color palette, their palms begin to sweat and their mind begins to stress. The options! The undertones! The lighting! And the biggie, the risk of regret!

If you’ve ever stood in your living room holding 10 paint swatches that seem exactly the same yet completely different, then you know the overwhelming stress color can cause. But remember the fun and creative part? Reading this blog can help you reach that goal. We’ll tackle the three biggest questions about color that come up again and again. You are not alone. So let’s break them down and take a little stress out of the process.

Three Most Common Color Questions

1. “What color should I paint my walls?” Ah yes—the Holy Grail of decorating questions. You want something timeless, clean, and beautiful. But not too clean. Not too cold. Definitely not too yellow. And for the love of all things neutral, nothing in the neighborhood of that weird pink-beige from the early 2000s.

People are looking for that perfect wall color that:

- Plays nice with their flooring and furniture
- Feels cozy but not dark
- Makes you feel “Ahh” when you enter the space

Here’s the truth: There’s no one perfect color, but there are definitely right-for-you-at-this-time-in-your-life colors. Be courageous when you pursue color choices and worry less about what others think. It’s your home and your color choice should serve your needs.

2. “How do I pick colors that go together?” Once you’ve chosen a wall color, here comes the rest of the palette parade: throw pillows, rugs, furniture, curtains… and suddenly you're wondering if you’ve created a stylish color story or a chaotic art school project.

Combining colors is typically about harmony and balance. Most people want their rooms to feel pulled-together and intentional. They want a palette that says “curated but that doesn’t look overly matchy or flat.

Tip: Think in terms of families, not twins. Choose colors that relate to each other without being identical. Add in a pop of color or two for interest, and keep your larger items in softer, more timeless tones.

3. “Will this color look good in my lighting?” Short answer: Maybe. Long answer: it depends on the time of day, the direction your windows face, your light bulbs, the color of your flooring, and a few other variables that can feel quite mysterious.

Color changes dramatically in different lighting. That soft gray you loved at your friend’s house might turn blue in your space. That creamy white might suddenly scream “banana” once the sun hits it just right.

One way to avoid negative light impact is to always test paint swatches in your actual room, on multiple walls, at different times of day. This will test your choice in real life and potentially save you money and time by getting it right the first time. 

Final Thoughts:

Color can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you understand a few basics—and take the time to test and tweak—you’ll start to feel more confident in your choices. And remember, it’s not rocket science, it’s just paint. You’re allowed to change your mind and the world will keep spinning just the same. 

Now, what will you do next to love where you live? 

Please feel free to reach out to us at The Redesign Habit and ask questions or simply share a project that you are working on or have completed. 

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