Choosing the perfect paint colour is only half the battle—lighting plays a crucial role in how that colour actually appears in your home. Even professional interior designers rely on specialized lighting experts to get it right. Why? Because without light, colour simply cannot exist!

The Evolution of Lightbulbs: Incandescent to LED

For years, incandescent bulbs were the go-to lighting source. These bulbs produce light by heating a filament until it glows—a process known as incandescence. The problem? They were highly inefficient, with only about 10% of the energy used converted into visible light while the rest was wasted as heat. If you ever burned your fingers replacing a bulb, you’re not alone!

Then came LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), which first hit the market in the early 2000s. Initially, they were expensive and emitted an unappealing blue hue. However, technology advanced quickly, and now LEDs are a lighting standard. They save energy, last longer, and offer a wide range of colour temperatures to suit different spaces.

Understanding LED Colour Temperature

Unlike incandescent bulbs, which have a consistent warm glow, LED lighting comes in various colour temperatures measured in Kelvins (K). Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 2700K–3000K: Warm white, similar to incandescent bulbs
• 4000K: Cool white, commonly found in offices and classrooms
• 5000K+: Daylight, offering a bright and crisp feel

Consistency is key! One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is mixing colour temperatures within the same space. This inconsistency alters the way paint colours appear and can create a visually disjointed look. For example, if your living room has warm lighting but your kitchen has cool lighting, a creamy off-white wall colour may appear yellow in one room and greenish in another. To avoid this, aim for uniform lighting throughout your space.

The Role of Natural Light

Artificial lighting isn’t the only factor affecting colour perception—natural light is just as important. Depending on the time of day and the direction your windows face, paint colours can look dramatically different. The next few sections will talk about how light affects your home depending on where natural light shines.

Morning Light (East-Facing Windows)

Effects of Morning Light from East-Facing Windows

Warm, Golden Light in the Morning

• East-facing rooms get direct sunlight in the early part of the day. This light tends to be soft, golden, and warm.
• During this time, paint colours appear warmer and more vibrant.
• Whites and pastels can glow beautifully, while yellows and creams feel especially cheerful and sunny.

Cool, Indirect Light in the Afternoon

• As the sun moves west, east-facing rooms fall into shade.
• In the afternoon, the light becomes more indirect and cool, which can make some paint colours look muted or even a bit dull.
• Cooler tones (especially greys or blues) may appear starker or more subdued later in the day.

Colour Undertones that Work Well in East-Facing Rooms

To keep your room feeling balanced throughout the day, consider colours with these undertones:

Warm Undertones

• Soft Yellows (e.g. Butter CA128, Creme Brulee CA116 ). These amplify the morning sun and stay cozy even as the light fades.
• Warm Neutrals (e.g. Bone CA103, Scone CA109). These adapt well to changing light conditions and won’t feel cold in the afternoon.
• Muted Terracottas or Peach Tones: (e.g. Tea Cookie 1002, Tallow 0987). These can reflect the golden light nicely and still feel grounded when the room cools off later.

Gentle Pink or Apricot Undertones

• These soft hues can enhance the warmth of the morning light and avoid turning drab later in the day. (e.g. White Meadow 1055, Baby Blossom 1076)

Use with Caution: Cool Blues and Steely Greys

These can feel refreshing in the morning but risk becoming chilly or flat afternoon. If you love these tones, look for versions with a hint of warmth (e.g.Venetian Wall 0544).

Midday Light (South-Facing Windows): Bright and pure light

Effects of Midday Light in South-Facing Rooms

Bright, Pure, and Neutral Light

• Midday southern light is strong, white, and relatively balanced across the spectrum.
• Because it’s so bright and neutral, it tends to reveal colours in their truest form, without heavily skewing undertones.
• This makes south-facing rooms incredibly versatile for a wide range of paint colours.
  

Enhanced Warmth

• Although midday southern light is balanced, it still carries a slight warm glow, especially in the afternoon.
• This can intensify warmer hues (reds, oranges, yellows) and make them feel even more radiant or vibrant.

Can Wash Out Pale Colours

• The intensity of the light may wash out very soft pastels or pale neutrals, making them appear faded or chalky.

Suitable Colour Undertones for South-Facing Rooms

Cool Undertones

• Blues, Blue-Greys, and Soft Greens: These colours provide a sense of calm and balance the warm light without becoming too stark or cold. (e.g. Cirrus CA188, Sage CA182)

Neutral Undertones

• Balanced Greys, Greige, and Taupe: The even lighting keeps neutrals true to tone, making them perfect for living rooms or multipurpose spaces. (e.g. Snowglory 0531, Putty CA073)

Use with Caution: Pale Colours

• Can look dull or washed out unless they have a grounding base or deeper accent.

Evening Light (West-Facing Windows): Warm, golden hue

Effects of Evening Light in West-Facing Rooms

Cool and Dim in the Morning

• Early in the day, west-facing rooms receive very little direct sunlight.
• Morning light here tends to be cool and somewhat shadowy, which can make colours look slightly dull or greyed out.

Warm, Golden Light in the Evening

• As the sun sets, west-facing windows flood rooms with a rich, golden-orange glow.
• This dramatic light adds warmth and depth, especially to medium and dark paint colours.
• White and pale hues may appear creamier or more yellow-toned under this light.

Colour Shift Throughout the Day

• Since light changes so much, west-facing rooms benefit from colours that can handle both cool and warm light.
• Richer, grounded hues tend to feel more consistent and flattering.

Suitable Colour Undertones for West-Facing Rooms

Warm Undertones

• Clay, Terracotta, and Rust: These colours glow under evening light, creating a cozy, enveloping feel. (e.g. Cobblestone CA076, Brandy CA226).
• Honeyed Neutrals and Warm Taupes: These tones maintain warmth throughout the day and are especially flattering when lit by the golden hour sun. (e.g. Agate CA064, Beechwood CA100).

Deep Earth Tones

• Olive, Forest Green, and Rich Browns: These colours feel grounded in the cooler morning and take on a luxurious glow in the evening. (e.g. Bohemian Earth CA170, Sycamore EX255)

Muted Mid-Tone Colours

• Dusky Rose, Burnt Sienna, or Smoky Plum: These have enough depth to stay interesting during cooler hours and become radiant at sunset. (e.g. Sunstone CA223, Gypsy’s Gown 1311).

Use with Caution: Pure Whites

• Can shift dramatically - looking sterile in the morning and overly yellow in the evening.

North-Facing Rooms: Consistently Cool, Indirect Light

Light Quality: Soft, Cool, and Diffused

• Unlike east-facing rooms, which get a short burst of warm morning light, north-facing rooms almost never receive direct sunlight.

How Paint Colours Are Affected

• Colours appear muted, cooler, and less saturated than they do on the chip or in other exposures.
• Whites can look flat or blueish, and soft pastels may seem washed out.
• Bold or saturated hues may lose some vibrancy—but they also don't shift as dramatically with the light, offering a more predictable result.

Spatial Feel

• These rooms can feel moody, shadowy, or dim, especially in winter or in smaller spaces. But with the right palette, they become elegant, calming, and sophisticated

Best Colour Undertones for North-Facing Rooms

Warm, Light-Reflective Tones

• Creamy Whites, Buttery Beiges, or Soft Honey (e.g. Artisan White CA013, White Sands CA009). These counteract the blue-grey light and help brighten the room naturally.
• Warm Greige and Taupe (e.g. Wool CA031, Soapstone CA034). These neutrals maintain depth without feeling cold or chalky.

Grounded, Cozy Mid-Tones

• Terracotta, Warm Clay, or Dusty Rose (e.g. Coconut Macaroon 0138). Add a sense of intimacy and glow in the cooler northern light.
• Ochre or Muted Gold (e.g. Ochre CA126). Bring richness and warmth without overwhelming the space

Rich, Complex Colours

• Olive Green, Deep Teal, or Burgundy (e.g. Wheatgrass CA174, Blue Period 0690, Creise CA221). These can hold their own and feel dramatic but grounded—especially effective in larger north-facing rooms

Use with Caution: Icy Blues or Cool Greys

• Could look much too sterile or shadowy, drab

Why Do Paint Colours Look Different at Home?

Ever picked a paint colour in the store only to find it looks completely different on your walls? That’s because paint stores have bright, controlled lighting, while your home has a mix of natural and artificial light. Wall texture also plays a role—paint chips are flat, smooth surfaces that reflect light differently than a textured wall.

Pro Tip for Choosing Paint Colours

Before committing to a paint colour, apply test patches in different areas of your home and observe them at different times of the day.

Making an Informed Colour Choice

Now that you understand how lighting affects paint colour, here are some questions to consider before selecting your shade:

• What direction does the room face?
• What kind of lighting is used in the space?
• Have you recently upgraded to LED lighting?

If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to test your paint colours in different lighting conditions before making your final decision.

The Science Behind Metamerism

Ever noticed how a colour can look perfect in one room but completely different in another? This is known as metamerism —a phenomenon where colours appear to change under different lighting conditions. Understanding this effect can help you make more informed decisions when selecting paint.

Final Thoughts about Light and Paint Colours

Lighting and colour are inseparable. If you want to achieve a cohesive and harmonious look in your home, pay close attention to both natural and artificial lighting sources. When in doubt, test, test, test!

For expert advice on colour selection, visit your nearest Cloverdale Paint store. We’re always here to help!