How Does Light Affect Paint Color?

So you’ve painted your walls and your paint results don’t look much like the samples you used to make your paint choices. In fact, the walls look different depending on the time of day. So what happened? You’re not the only one. Many DIY painters have found themselves in this predicament.

You have probably experienced this effect when putting on socks. In incandescent light, it may look like you’ve put on two black socks, only to find in different light, such as fluorescent or natural light, that one sock is dark blue. This can happen with paint color as well and should be considered when choosing paint colors. Both the sample—in this case, the socks—and the source of illumination can affect one’s perception of color.

Your local True Value store's paint experts are available to answer questions you have about paint, choosing paint colors and the effects of light in your home. Also, pick up a Custom Mixed Color Sample to try a few colors on your walls at home. Choosing colors based on how they look in the store can often lead to less than perfect results when the paint meets the wall. Color samples allow you to paint a small space and live with different options for a while before making your final decision.