How to Choose Paint for a Room?
but first - Let's Talk about Light Reflective Value, Shall We?
Before you can jump into picking a color for a room willy nilly, you must consider something - how much natural light does your room receive? We only ask because, did you know your paint could be affecting the brightness of your room? If you have a room in your home that is dark, try choosing a paint with a high Light Reflective Value. Major paint manufacturers conveniently share this information on their website or on the back of the paint chip. Please note the higher the LRV number (or closer to 100) the more effective it will be in reflecting light, conversely, the lower the number (or closer to 0) the more the paint will absorb light and make the space appear to be darker. For hallways and staircases that don't receive much natural light, consider using a paint color with a higher LRV value. Like wise, for rooms that receive a lot of natural light, using a paint with a lower LRV can tone down rooms that feel too bright.
These are all, of course, design tendencies. Tendencies can be strategically broken, but for most people these general guidelines are relevant and helpful. Happy designing!
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