How Lighting Changes Paint Color in Your Home

One of the biggest surprises homeowners experience after painting is realizing the color doesn’t look quite the way they expected. That’s because lighting has a huge impact on how paint colors appear once they’re on the wall.

At K&D Painting, we always encourage homeowners to consider lighting before choosing a paint color to avoid disappointment and costly repainting.

Natural Light vs. Artificial Light

Natural light changes throughout the day, which means your wall color will too. Morning light is cooler, afternoon light is brighter and warmer, and evening light is softer. A color that looks perfect at noon may feel completely different at sunset.

Artificial lighting also plays a role:

• Warm bulbs (yellow-toned) enhance reds, yellows, and warm neutrals

• Cool bulbs (white or blue-toned) emphasize blues, grays, and crisp whites

  
  

Room Direction Matters

The direction your room faces affects how much light it gets:

• North-facing rooms receive cooler, indirect light

• South-facing rooms get bright, warm light most of the day

• East-facing rooms feel bright in the morning and cooler later

• West-facing rooms warm up in the afternoon and evening

This can dramatically shift how a color feels from room to room.

Dark vs. Light Colors in Different Lighting

Darker colors absorb light and can feel cozy in well-lit rooms but heavy in dim spaces. Lighter colors reflect light and help brighten rooms with limited natural light.

Understanding LRV (Light Reflectance Value)

When looking at paint swatches, you may notice a number labeled LRV, which stands for Light Reflectance Value. This number tells you how much light a paint color reflects.

• LRV is measured on a scale from 0 to 100

• 0 = absorbs all light (pure black)

• 100 = reflects all light (pure white)

The higher the LRV, the brighter the color will appear in a room. Lower LRV colors absorb more light and can feel darker or cozier.

Why LRV Matters in Your Home

LRV plays a big role in how paint looks once it’s on your walls:

• Rooms with little natural light benefit from higher LRV colors

• Bright, sunny rooms can handle lower LRV colors without feeling dark

• Small rooms often feel larger with higher LRV shades

  
  

Lighting conditions can make the same paint color look completely different from one room to another. Lighter colors reflect light and help brighten rooms with limited natural light.

Tips for Choosing the Right Color

• Always test samples on multiple walls

• Observe colors at different times of day

• Consider the type of light bulbs you use

• Look at the color next to furniture and flooring

  
  

Get It Right the First Time

Choosing a color without considering lighting is one of the most common painting mistakes. K&D Painting helps homeowners select colors that look great in every light.

Call K&D Painting today for a free estimate and professional color guidance for your home.