Looking at color with light.

It’s very important when choosing color that you look at it in all different light scenarios. Color expert Kate Smith from Sensational Color knows what it takes to decide which color will be right for you. Follow these expert tips so you don’t regret your color choice.

Choosing Color

Have you decided on a color and by nightfall, you’re regretting your decision? There’s a word for that: metamerism. Metamerism means that colors seem to change under different light conditions. That’s why testing is key!

Simply put, light affects the way colors look. It can appear one way in natural light and slightly different under the glare of artificial light. The direction of the light, from east to west, can change what you see based on the surroundings. This is why you need to look at the light in all the possible scenarios of sunshine and flash that the room may get. Look at it in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The color can change quite a bit from morning sunshine to nighttime with the glow of lamps. The position of the rooms puts this all at play. Northern light is cooler, while southern light is warmer.

The takeaway: always look at your color within the space you will actually be painting to achieve the right appearance.

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