White paint colors are going to be all the rage in 2016 — with four different paint companies choosing shades of white as their color of the year. From weathered wainscoting to crisp canvas shades, porcelain tile to picket fences, white is everywhere in every form.
But with white being the most common paint color for interior design, how do you choose the right one? There are literally thousands of shades to choose from, so this task can quickly become overwhelming. Below are a few tips to help you choose the perfect shade of white paint for your living spaces.
1. Get to know the nuances of white
2. What else will be in the room?
Before picking the perfect shade, size up the palette of everything else in the space. If the colors are warm, you’ll want to lean toward warm-colored undertones (pink, orange, red or yellow). If they’re cool, consider cool-inflected whites (with undertones of blue, green or purple).
If the furnishings are neutral, go with a warmer white. If there is a lot of color, choose a cooler white.
Keep in mind though that your furnishings will affect your perception of any paint. Sometimes getting a warm white doesn’t actually come from the paint, it comes from the entire assembly of the space.
3. Consider the mood and style of the room
Every shade of white can be linked to an emotional response, and can also shift your overall impression of a space. A bright, bold white will stimulate and awaken you, while an ivory white relaxes and calms you. If you want a bold, modern feeling in your space, lean towards warmer whites.
Considering the room’s purpose goes hand-in-hand with determining the room’s mood, further helping to determine the right shade of white. For example, you’ll most likely want to choose a warmer, more-mellow white for a bedroom to evoke a calm, relaxed feel.
4. Assess the interior lighting
Because color is a phenomenon of light, the amount of natural and artificial light in the room impacts the tone of the walls. Does your room get a lot of natural light? It might wind up looking warmer, so you can compensate by choosing a slightly cooler shade.
If you don’t have many windows and are relying on artificial light (especially fluorescents), it might skew cooler than it does on the swatch, so go for a white that’s a little warmer.
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This article was written by Associate Senior Designer, Hannah Tindall and featured on Angie’s List, check it out here >