How to choose a wall colour: an interior paint guide

The right wall colour is chosen by considering together the direction and amount of daylight a room receives, its floor and furniture materials, how the room is used and the colour temperature of its artificial lighting. The same colour code can look cold and grey in a north-facing room and warm and bright in a south-facing one. That is why colour is chosen on the wall, not in the catalogue.

How do light and orientation change colour?

• North-facing: indirect, cool light all day. Colours with warm undertones (sand, cream, earth) balance the room.
• South-facing: plenty of warm light. Both cool and warm tones work well; very saturated colours can be tiring at midday.
• East-facing: bright in the morning, cool in the evening.
• West-facing: warm, orange-tinged light in the afternoon.

How do you build a colour palette?

A practical method: a calm main colour for large surfaces, a secondary tone for cabinets, doors or a single wall, and an accent colour in small doses. Materials that are hard to change, such as flooring, stone and wood, are chosen first; the wall colour is set to suit them. We describe an example of a warm material palette in our burgundy, brass and travertine article.

Sheen: flat, matt, satin

• Flat matt: hides imperfections and gives a deep, velvety look; low washability. Suitable for ceilings and bedrooms.
• Matt (eggshell): a slight sheen, better washability. A balanced option for living rooms and corridors.
• Satin and semi-gloss: resistant to moisture and wear; used in kitchens, bathrooms, and on doors and joinery.

Health: low-VOC paint

According to the EPA, indoor levels of some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) average 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors, and during and right after activities such as paint stripping these levels can rise much further (U.S. EPA). Choosing low-VOC, water-based paints and ventilating the home well after painting matters especially for children's rooms and bedrooms.

Do not decide without testing

Small colour cards mislead. Paint a test patch at least the size of an A3 sheet on the wall, in two coats if possible, and look at it in the morning, at noon, in the evening and under artificial light. The colour temperature of evening light directly changes how a colour is perceived, so consider it together with your lighting decisions (our lighting guide).

Textured paints and special finishes

Textured finishes such as Italian paint, lime paint and decorative plaster add depth and a sense of handwork to a single colour. In our CB House project we used Italian paint on the walls and ceilings to create a seamless surface language with the microcement floors.

“Colour is a property of light, not of the wall; do not choose a colour without seeing the light.”

Conclusion

Wall colour is the easiest decision in a space to change, yet the one felt most. When light, materials and use are considered together, the right colour reveals itself. We are here to help with colour and material decisions through our consultancy service.

Frequently asked questions