When choosing wall paint, it's easy to fall in love with a small sample from the color chart or a stunning photo in an interior magazine. The truth, however, is that the same shade can look completely different at home. One of the biggest reasons for this is lighting. Both natural and artificial light significantly change how our eyes perceive colors.

This blog covers why lighting is such an important part of paint selection, how different light sources affect wall paint shades, and what to consider before making the final decision.

Natural light – daylight constantly changes the color

Natural light is the strongest single factor that determines how color looks on the wall.

• Morning light: especially in rooms facing north, the light is bluish and cold. For this reason, for example, light gray can appear blue.

• Midday light: in spaces facing south, shades appear warmer and brighter. Beige can look almost creamy white and green even fresher.

• Evening light: as the sun sets, the light takes on golden and orange hues. At this time, for example, white walls can shift toward yellowish and reddish tones.

👉 In practice, this means that the same paint surface can look like one shade in the morning and completely different in the evening.

Artificial light – the type of lamp matters

In addition to natural light, artificial light plays a key role, especially in winter and evenings. The color temperature of the light determines a lot:

• Warm-toned lamps (2700K): create a cozy atmosphere but can make cool colors (e.g., blue or gray) appear dull or greenish. On the other hand, warm colors like terracotta or beige appear soft and beautiful.

• Cool-toned lamps (4000–6000K): bring out cool colors like white, gray, and blue. Warm tones, on the other hand, can become excessively yellowish or even unpleasantly orange.

• Neutral light (3000–3500K): a good compromise if you want to see colors as close to natural as possible. This is especially suitable when the space has many different shades.

Colors and lighting – practical examples

• White shades: neutral white easily turns yellowish in warm light and bluish in cold light. So it is worth carefully choosing whether the goal is a warm or cool atmosphere. 

• Gray shades: gray is often a tricky color because it absorbs the colors of its surroundings. Northern light brings out bluish nuances, while warm evening light makes it lean towards brown.

• Blue shades: in cool light, bright and fresh shades stand out, but in warm light blue can appear greenish.

• Green shades: in daylight, green is often fresh and balanced, but under artificial light it can lean towards yellow or blue depending on the lamp type.

Room purpose and lighting

Lighting should also be adapted to the purpose of the space.

• Living room: warm lighting combined with earthy tones creates a cozy atmosphere.

• Office: neutral or slightly cool light combined with clear, cool shades improves concentration.

• Bedroom: soft light and muted shades calm and make the space peaceful.

• Bathroom: bright lights and often cool shades can make the space modern and fresh, but on the other hand, dark paint stands out dramatically.

Practical tips for choosing the right shade

1. Always test with samples – paint an A4-sized area or use a removable test painting board. The portable and adhesive-backed Peel & Stick A5-sized color sheet is perfect for choosing the shade. 

2. View the color at different times of day – you will quickly notice how the light changes the shade.

3. Use the right lamps already in the testing phase – test the painted surface with the lighting you plan to use.

4. Consider the environment of surfaces – the floor, furniture, and textiles affect how the color looks when light hits them. For example, an orange pine ceiling or floor can reflect a reddish tint onto light and white shades. 

5. Avoid relying solely on color charts – a paper, printed sample never looks exactly the same as paint on a real surface or color charts and shade samples made from the actual paint, like in the Frenchic range. The A5-sized Peel & Stick shade sample makes choosing the shade easier. The back of the sheet has a handy adhesive surface, so you can easily change the sheet's position according to the light. The recommendation is to look at at least two shade sheets at the same time.

Key factors of your space's atmosphere – velvety and stylish

Frenchic wall paints have a gloss level of only 5%, so the surface becomes wonderfully velvety, understated, and stylish. Our ultra-matte wall paint provides an exceptionally calm and timeless atmosphere, whether your space is at home or in a business. 

Start by deciding what kind of atmosphere you want to create in the space. Then choose at least three or preferably five shades that give the desired mood. Test these shades exactly in the space and on the surface where you plan to use them.

Choose shades boldly according to your own preference: for example, a delicate and light pink wall paint brings a stunning and soft tone to the entire space – like a beautiful morning sun filling the whole room! 

Mediterranean terracotta fits well in domestic spaces. The beautiful red clay shade is at its best in the evening sun. 

Frenchic white shades are not tinted with black, so they lack that slightly dirty "painter's white" tone. The pure white Whitey White wall paint is excellent for painting yellowed and darkened wooden paneled ceilings, for example.

Lighting can make white appear yellow, gray look blue, and blue turn greenish. That's why just looking at a color chart is not enough; the color must always be tested in a real space and under the right lighting. When you consider the direction of natural light, the time of day, and your home's lamps, you get a result that better meets expectations and serves the room's atmosphere.

Ultimately, lighting and paint go hand in hand. Together they create a space where you feel most comfortable. If you want to read more about decorating with colors and how to add atmosphere, this is a good place to start. 

Explore Frenchic Paint's wall paints and find the shade that suits your needs from a wide selection!

Apple Barn, wall paint