Can Light Affect the Color of My Paint?

There are few home improvement projects as exciting as interior painting! Giving your house a fresh coat of paint won’t just appeal to your tastes and show off your personality – it’ll also boost your home’s value. That said, one thing every home painter needs to be mindful of is the interplay between light and color; it’s possible that certain light can affect your paint colors and change how they appear! Here’s what you need to know.

How Does Light Affect Paint Color?

Picture this: you’ve just painted your walls a beautiful new color, you move back all of your furniture, and switch on one of your table lamps – and suddenly, the paint on your walls changes color! This is the last thing you should want to happen. However, the way the light affects color often isn’t on our minds when we’re setting out to paint.

Natural lighting, which is essentially all sunlight entering your home from the outdoors via windows, doors, skylights, etc. is a big threat to your painted walls. It can drastically alter their colors – and this light varies in intensity throughout the day and seasons, meaning you really need to be mindful of how much is entering your home. For example, morning light tends to be a little cooler and bluish, while evening light is warmer and yellow or reddish. Seasonal light functions similarly; summer sunlight is intense, while winter sunlight is paler in comparison.

Artificial light, or light that’s emitted from lamps, wall sconces, fluorescent lights, warm-colored bulbs, and other interior sources, can also be quite problematic for interior paint. Like natural light, these bulbs vary greatly in intensity and produce different tones of light. Any interior light source can also produce shadows or even block light in some cases.  

How Can I Keep My Results Intact?

Curtains and blinds are your best friends here; they can help you manage your natural light with ease, and they are relatively affordable and easy to install. Doors without windows can also work well here, or windowpanes that can be closed or shuttered. With artificial lighting, you will want to be careful with where your light sources are positioned. Consider portable ones if necessary and move things around as needed, paying close attention to where shadows are being cast on your walls. You may also need to swap out bulbs as needed for different, less-intense options.

You can also consult with a team of professionals. They’ll be able to provide expert advice and guide you toward colors and lighting that look incredible, no matter what you’re hoping to accomplish!

About Platinum Painting

Our team here at Platinum Painting has proudly served the homeowners of McKinney for several years, and we’d love to assist you with your upcoming painting project! We offer a wide range of services including both interior and exterior house painting. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up a FREE in-home estimate, visit us online or contact us today for assistance! Telephone: (469) 617-6476.