Have you ever picked up a can of white paint with the intention of repainting some trim or an interior door only to discover that it looks a little yellow next to your walls when dry?  I’ve been there.  It can feel overwhelming standing at the paint samples of your local paint store trying to select the perfect shade of white for your Locust Grove house especially when they all start to look the same; here are some tips to help.

First: Take samples home.

Many decorating trends in 2024 have transitioned away from the cool gray tones and into warmer neutral tones.  A creamy white shade can help transform your room, but it can be hard to tell what one to pick.

Instead of trying to select a paint color under the fluorescent lights of the store, bring home a bunch of paint chips to look at in your space.   Once you’ve narrowed it down, head back to the store to get some small paint sample containers to paint on the wall.

Second: Observe the natural sunlight that enters the room.

Each room in a home gets a different amount of natural light throughout the day.  Because of this, shades of white will look different in a brightly light room versus a naturally darker one.  Cooler whites (they have a more blue or pink undertone) may be better suited in spaces that are brighter while warmer whites (ones with yellow undertone) may work better in darker spaces of your Locust Grove house.

There are also several shades of white that have neutral undertones.  These shades give a bright white color.

Once you have selected a few shades, paint some sample squares on your walls and observe them throughout the day to see how the light or lack of light affects the color.  You should also paint the samples on every wall of the room since some walls get light shining directly on them during the day while others do not.

Third: Know the undertone

The undertones of paints, the multiple colors that are mixed together to create the shade, can influence the overall color of a shade.  Like when you think you’ve got a completely void of color white shade that dries seemingly pinkish.  One easy way to find the undertone of a paint is to find the shade on a paint sample that has various shades underneath.  The darkest color on the strip will help you identify the undertones in the white shade you are considering for your Locust Grove house.  For example, if you select a white and follow the strip to the bottom to see a bold green color, that green color will be an undertone of your white paint.  This means when you put it on the wall, the overall shade could feel a little green.  You will want to select a color that has undertones that complement the other colors in your flooring and large furniture pieces.

If you are uncertain of the undertone of a specific shade, you can always ask the paint experts at your local store to give you some guidance.

Fourth: Pick a finish

Paints come in a variety of finishes from shiny gloss to flat mattes.  Selecting a specific finish can also make the color feel a little different.  In rooms that have a ton of natural lighting, a matte finish keeps the room bright without making the walls feel shiny.  An eggshell finish is suitable in rooms that see a lot of use because it is a more durable finish than a matte.  Semi-gloss finishes are usually reserved for cabinets, trim, or in bathrooms.

While the colors mixed in the paint don’t change because of the finish, the overall look on a wall in your Locust Grove house will.