Paint is cheap, but repainting is not. A little planning helps you love your room the first time.
Start with what you're keeping
Your sofa, floor, rug or a favorite piece of art usually decides the palette. Take a photo of it and drop it into Colrify to pull out its colors, then build around them.
Use the 60-30-10 rule
- 60% is your main color: usually the walls, and often a soft neutral.
- 30% is the secondary color: furniture, curtains, a feature wall or cabinets.
- 10% is the accent: pillows, art, plants and small decor, where bold colors belong.
Check your light
North-facing rooms get cool, bluish light, so warm colors (creamy whites, beiges, terracotta) feel better there. South-facing rooms get warm light that suits cool colors too. Always test a large swatch on two walls and look at it in the morning and in the evening.
Think about the mood
Bedrooms: calm, muted colors like soft greens, blues and warm greys. Kitchens: warm and fresh. Offices: cool and focused, with a warm accent so it doesn't feel cold.
Connect the rooms
If rooms open onto each other, keep the same undertone (warm or cool) throughout, and repeat one accent color in each room so the home feels pulled together.