Why can the subject of paint color be so exasperating? If you are completing a full renovation or just refreshing a powder room, selecting the final paint color can become one of the biggest issues of the entire project. Why, you may ask, does a simple thing like color cause so many problems?

Here are some answers.

One of the major considerations is that every individual views color for how it affects their psyche. Some individuals need to live in the “light.” Clean, white, open spaces express freedom and autonomy, along with the opportunity to fill the space with limitless furnishing options. Others can only surround themselves with deep rich tones in spaces that envelop with warmth and security. It is easy to determine what type of person you are. The challenges arise when it comes time to select just the right “white” or the perfect shade of forest green.

One of the biggest considerations affecting a color is the light within the space. Both natural and artificial light can significantly change the value of the paint color from one surface to another. There have been many times a client expressed the concern that a different shade had been used on one of the walls. It was not until we all stood together and painted all the walls, using one can of paint, that we confirmed that, indeed, all four walls were the same color. Room orientation can also play a huge role. North-facing spaces tend to bring out cooler shadows, while south-facing rooms intensify warmth. When it comes to artificial light, designers will highly recommend incandescent bulbs for their warm wavelengths. LEDs project blue and gray tones that make whites look even whiter, and warm colors turn muddy.

Once your colors have been finalized, you then must determine their placement on walls, ceiling and trim. There is a trend right now that suggests using the same color on all surfaces creates a more unified space. If your room is devoid of architectural detail, that may be a good approach. But if you are fortunate enough to be blessed with costly crown moldings, detailed bases, chair rails and window casings or wainscoting, why would you want them to almost disappear? The added contrast with using two colors not only highlights these features, but allows the space to exude its true character. The effect acts as a true backdrop to all your furnishings, whether they be traditional or modern.

If your heart is set on using one color, switch up the finish to a gloss or semi-gloss on all the trim. That will provide just a slight difference in tone, allowing the trim to shine.

The one paint color selection on which I am steadfast is that you should never paint your ceiling “white” unless that is the color of the entire space. There is nothing more jarring to the eye, or disruptive to a room’s unity, than painting a white ceiling within a room of otherwise rich colors. The “white” relates to nothing else in the space, and causes visual confusion that disrupts the harmony that was so hard to achieve. Instead, either use a lighter tone of your trim color, or a cream, beige or light taupe shade that may be found in one of your fabrics. Putting an actual “color” on the ceiling will bring the entire room together, and serve to avoid that color disruption that can truly destroy an otherwise beautiful design. Remove the often used term “ceiling white” from your vocabulary.

Some final recommendations when selecting paint colors: Choose a brand with which both you and your contractor are comfortable. Color matching between brands can be successful, but not recommended for touch-ups. The tenet of dark colors work in small rooms and lighter colors work in larger rooms is a good one to follow. Try to have all your decorative elements like fabrics, case goods, upholstery and especially light sources available to help with color matching. And certainly employ large color boards to be placed on each wall before painting commences.

And keep in mind one final thought: It’s only paint!

Patricia Cove is Principal of Architectural Interiors and Design, providing services in all area of design and renovation.