There are many occasions in life where you make what is retrospectively the 'wrong' choice, but can get over it fairly quickly - picking the wrong sandwich at lunch, perhaps, or wishing you hadn't chosen to wear cream trousers to do the school run.
There are other circumstances where making the wrong choice feels much more consequential; for example when you spend a load of time and money to paint an entire room in your house a new colour, and then realise that you absolutely hate it.
Many of us have been there with the interior design mistakes, and it can be costly - let alone a massive headache - to put right. To help you avoid those paint choice errors, we spoke to Rob Abrahams's, Co-Founder of COAT, to find out his top tips for choosing paint colours at home - and the common mistakes he sees which lead to people getting it wrong.
Rob Abrahams's, Co-Founder of COAT, has shared his top tips for choosing paint colours at home.
- The biggest mistake people make is thinking they're choosing a colour, when really they're shaping a room. A wall colour needs to sit comfortably with your flooring, sofa and joinery, so it helps to start with what you already have. If you've got warm timber floors or a tan sofa, for example, lean into warmer paint tones rather than trying to fight against them.
- Before you look at swatches, get clear on how you want the room to feel. If it's a bedroom you might want something softer and more calming, whereas a kitchen or living space can handle a bit more energy. Even narrowing it down to "warm and relaxed" versus "fresh and bright" makes the decision much easier.
- Light will completely change how a colour reads, so it's worth paying attention to the direction your room faces. In a north-facing room, cooler shades can feel quite flat, so something with a bit of warmth, such as a soft off-white or a muted beige, will sit better. In a south-facing space, you can go slightly deeper or richer with colours like without it feeling heavy.
- When you test colours, move them around the room and look at them throughout the day. A shade might feel perfect in one corner but completely different on another wall. Try placing samples next to woodwork, next to fabrics, and near windows so you can see how it behaves in real conditions.
- It's much easier to decide on a palette early on rather than picking one colour and trying to build around it. A simple approach is to choose a main wall colour, a slightly lighter or darker tone for woodwork, and one accent shade. For example, a warm neutral on the walls, a softer version on skirting boards, and a muted green or clay tone as an accent.
- What feels "safe" in the moment can sometimes date the quickest. Cool grey with bright white is a good example as it can feel quite stark, especially in softer light. If you’re unsure, shifting just slightly warmer, towards taupe, stone or chalky tones, will usually give you a result that feels more comfortable.
- Small rooms are actually a great place to try something bolder. A deep green or a rich red-brown in a hallway or study can make the space feel more welcoming. If you’re hesitant, you can always paint the walls and leave the ceiling lighter to keep some contrast.
- White isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. In kitchens and bathrooms especially, a very bright white can feel quite cold. Swapping it for a warmer off-white or something with a slight cream or plaster tone can soften the whole space without making it feel dark.
- Strong colour works best when it has a clear role. If you’re using something bold, let it lead rather than competing with lots of other shades. For example, a single deep colour on walls paired with softer neutrals elsewhere will feel much more balanced than multiple bold colours fighting for attention.