Clients and friends often ask me where to start when choosing paint, and they’re surprised when I say: not with the 13 different colour charts you’re waving in front of me.
There’s so much choice out there, it’s mind-blowing. Choosing the right paint for your home is down to far more than aesthetics.
“Colour confidence” isn’t about getting the rules right or following trends: it’s about how something makes you feel.
Start with art
I like to follow a “start with the art” philosophy when building a scheme. If you have a statement artwork, or a piece you’ll see every day, use it as the foundation for your palette. Then look at flooring, furniture and fabrics, as these can also inform your choices.
I’ve been lugging around a huge embroidered Japanese screen (from my parents’ antiques shop), convinced I’d have space for it one day. Thirty years later, I managed to save two of the decaying panels and mount them in a box frame, which then became the starting point for the palette of my sitting room.
Decide on your atmosphere
Another important consideration is to decide on the atmosphere you want to create. Calm and soothing, warm and cocooning or energising and playful? This will help you make more of an informed decision before decorating begins. I’ve just moved into a higgledy-piggledy Tudor house on the Kent coast, tucked away on a narrow, slightly gloomy street. I embraced the darkness and went for bold, rich colours that felt right for the house’s heritage and made the rooms cosy and intimate… almost Dickensian.
The coastal light has a mind of its own. One day, I’d paint a swatch and think “Perfect”, only to find it was completely off the next day. The house began to resemble a patchwork quilt. Passers-by would stop to debate the shades (some offering opinions no one asked for!) before writing comments on the wall or ticking their favourite. Essentially, my house became an accidental public art installation!
Work with light
So consider your space, especially the room’s orientation and natural light. For example, north-facing rooms often benefit from deeper, warmer shades to counter dimmer light and create a cosy feel, while those that are south-facing can handle cooler tones and brighter colours with ease.
Remember, a shade that looks perfect online or on a sample card can feel different in your home. I always advise painting samples onto A3 boards, at least two coats, to see the true depth of the colour, and holding them next to artwork, furniture or flooring to check undertones. Also view colours from adjoining rooms to ensure the palette flows naturally.
The final step: trust your instincts. Mix, match and experiment until it feels right. Let go of overthinking. The goal is to create a home that feels authentic to you. So once it clicks, don’t second-guess it. Also, it’s only paint, so you can paint over it!
Follow interior designer and serial renovator Russell on Instagram @thehouseondolphinst for more inspiration.
Painting essentials
Sarah Keady is the Style and Interiors Director for House Beautiful and Country Living. She oversees all things decorating related-from style stories and the latest trends to news and shopping pages. She has a wealth of experience within the interiors industry and is a London-based Stylist, Creative Consultant and Art Director with an address book bursting with top talent to create original content across all platforms. She has previously worked across editorial titles including You, Red Magazine, The Telegraph and Good Homes. Commercial clients have included The White Company, Marks & Spencer, DFS and Romo. Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahkeadyuk
