Deciding to paint a room is the easy part; choosing the right color is often the real challenge. In part II of our summer paint series, sponsored by YOLO Colorhouse, we explore what color can do for a space and offer practical tips to help you pick the perfect hue for your room.
Color is one of the most exciting elements in any remodeling project—and for many, also one of the most intimidating. With relatively little cost, paint can transform a room’s mood, emphasize architectural details, and create a sense of flow throughout your home.
Color can attract people to gathering areas, calm a quiet corner, or bring attention to a special feature. What makes color fascinating is its constant change: light, surrounding colors, and spatial context continually alter how a hue reads.
Choosing a color is a layered process, from initial inspiration to seeing the first coat go on the wall. Keep in mind that the same color can look very different depending on the room, the time of day, and what sits nearby.
Color Choosing Tips and Things to Remember:
Light Colors
Light colors easily pick up reflected tones from the surroundings. For instance, a white wall can take on a greenish cast from neighboring trees or a bluish cast from a bright-colored house next door. Consider nearby exterior elements when selecting pale shades.
Light Changes Color
The only constant with color is change. Natural daylight, fluorescent fixtures, and incandescent bulbs each render paint differently. Expect a shade to shift between walls, rooms, and different times of day—test samples under the lighting conditions you use most.
Don’t Forget the Ceiling
Ceilings don’t have to be white. Adding color to the ceiling can add depth and drama—try it in dining rooms, bedrooms, or powder rooms to create unexpected warmth or intimacy.
Warm Colors
Warm colors—reds, oranges, and rich yellows—naturally draw people together. Use them in social spaces where you want lively conversation and connection, such as kitchens and dining rooms.
Cool Colors
Cool tones like greens and blues promote calm and relaxation. These hues work especially well in bedrooms and bathrooms, where a tranquil atmosphere is desired.
YOLO Colorhouse offers 92 interior hues organized into collections to help you create visual harmony and flow across your home.
Their Earth’s Color Collection focuses on easy-to-live-with tones inspired by nature—versatile choices that blend smoothly with both classic and contemporary interiors.
The Colors of Hope selection features brighter, bolder hues meant to energize and uplift—ideal for modern residential spaces or commercial environments seeking personality.
The Sprout Collection presents gender-neutral pastels and soft tones designed for nurseries and restful sleep environments for new families.
Food-inspired palettes from YOLO Colorhouse are also excellent choices for kitchens and dining areas, where appetizing tones can enhance the room’s purpose.
If you need assistance selecting colors, YOLO Colorhouse provides tools and services to simplify the process. Their Select-A-Color tool lets you experiment with different combinations, and they offer free online color consultations—upload photos of your rooms and their color experts will recommend palettes tailored to your space.