Color has the potential to make a room feel bigger or smaller, brighter or darker, peaceful or exciting. How do you know which colors will be ideal for each room in your home, based on the feelings they evoke and the atmosphere they create?

When it comes to interior design and home renovation, giving your walls a fresh coat of paint is often the most appealing effort vs. impact kind of project. Figuring out which colors will accentuate the look and feel of individual rooms, on the other hand, can be a difficult task. The shades you choose can have a considerable impact on the atmosphere you’re trying to create.

Ready to see which colors will look the best in each room of your house? Take a look at our short guide below to help you choose.

choosing the right paint color for every room in your home

Knowing Your Color Basics


Warm Colors

When you look at a burning fire or consider the tones of a sunset, what colors do you see? Fires, volcanoes, and the sun feature vivid orange, yellow, and red tones--so they’re considered warm colors, because they often represent heat. Warm colors can evoke a feeling of excitement or passion.

 

Cool Colors

Colors such as blue, green, and violet are considered cool because they reflect tones in nature that have a calming effect or cool temperature: the sky, running water, and tree leaves. Cooler colors typically make a room feel peaceful and, with the right amount of light, spacious as well.

 

Neutral Colors

Colors that are neither warm nor cool are described as neutral, or sometimes “earth tones,” as they represent hues in nature that contrast with both warm and cool shades. These colors are brown, gray, white, and black.

You can make cool and warm colors more neutral in feel by adding black, white, brown, or gray undertones.

Examples of warm neutral colors:

  • Maroon
  • Burnt orange
  • Beige

Examples of cool neutral colors:

  • Peach pink
  • Powder blue
  • Lilac

 choosing the right paint color for every room in your home

Selecting a Color Based on The Direction Your Room Faces


North Facing Rooms

Rooms that face towards the north are considered to have the “best” lighting, as it is indirect and relatively consistent throughout the day. This effect will enhance the colors in your room in either direction: cooler colors become even more tranquil, and warmer colors get a boost in vibrancy.

 

East Facing Rooms

Rooms that face east are brighter in the mornings and dimmer in the afternoons. Neutral tones will look elegant during both times of the day. Select gray or beige to make a room appear more tranquil in the morning and airy in the afternoon.

 

South Facing Rooms

South-facing rooms receive the most sunlight. It’s best to avoid using cooler tones in these areas, as the colors may appear flat.

The best colors to pick for south-facing rooms are warm tones such as lighter shades of pink or yellow. Capitalize on the sun’s power and create a cozy atmosphere.

 

West Facing Rooms

West-facing rooms will be more subdued in the morning and brighter in the afternoon, so consider cool neutral colors such as lilac or maroon. This is the same principle as east-facing rooms as it will make your area appear brighter in the morning and more soothing in the afternoon.

choosing the right paint color for every room in your home

What About Color Psychology?

There’s more than just the positioning of the room to consider. What may be even more important is HOW you use the room. Bedrooms, offices, and kitchens all support different moods and activities, and the colors you choose should support them.

As mentioned earlier, cooler tones tend to evoke a sense of peace and tranquility while warmer colors make one feel excited or stimulated. The low-key feelings you sense when you see a particular color could relate to color psychology. This isn’t a hard and fast science, but the next time you find yourself in a room of a specific color (as opposed to the neutral colors), see how you feel on a base level.

Color psychology is the study of hues and how it affects human behavior. For example, the colors you see in a particular food brand could influence your perception of how it tastes, and make you more or less likely to purchase it. (Have you ever wondered why almost all of the major fast-food brands feature red in their logo? Red has been shown to increase activity and appetite.)

So how can color affect your perception of a room? And which tones can create positive moods instead of negative emotions?

 

Bedrooms

Avoid using energetic colors in bedrooms, as this may affect your sleep. Vivid reds and neon yellow could make you feel too excited, leading to problems with insomnia.

Children and adults usually don’t use the same colors in their rooms. Some tones are traditionally considered to be too mature for children, though in recent years, there has been a shift towards highly sophisticated children’s rooms that eschew bright primary colors in favor of sleek adult-like neutral.

For adults, the color beige is a neutral and relaxing shade that will make you feel peaceful at night while creating an airy atmosphere during the day. For maximum elegance, accentuate your beige walls with bright white trimmings, carpets, and drapes—perhaps with a few calming blue accents thrown in.

Beige might not be very exciting to a little kid, but stay away from bright exciting colors. Children benefit from calming, cool tones such as blue because of the soothing effect it has on the mind. Its peaceful tranquility is just what children need to calm down after a busy day.

 

Office Space

You may enjoy the color green (in darker, more sumptuous shades like emerald and moss) for your office space, as it pairs well with wood often used for office furniture such as oak.

Green is a cool tone that symbolizes nature, freshness, prosperity, and good health.

 

Bathroom

Neutral colors such as white and lighter tones of gray are best used for bathrooms. It boosts luminosity and offers a feeling of purity & cleanliness—definitely something you want in a bathroom, right?! Create contrast by tiling your floor with light gray or blue marble, or opt for bright hand towels, to add a splash of color.

 

Kitchen

Create a warm and exciting space by painting your walls a brilliant cherry red, as this color represents passion, action, and energy. Red is also known to stimulate appetite, so it will be the perfect warm tone for your kitchen.

White pairs well with red, so you might choose white tiles and kitchen cabinets to really make your walls pop.

 

Children’s Playroom

A bright and warm color such as yellow is the type of hue you want to paint the walls of your children’s playroom.

Yellow is a fun and energetic color that makes one happy and optimistic. It’s the color of the sun and is often used to represent warmth and cheerfulness. Children should feel happy and energetic in this kind of environment, so yellow will be an ideal color for a playroom.

 

Creative Spaces

Do you have a place in your home where you often create art? A workshop, art studio, or drawing room might be painted with this unique hue, as it’s regarded as a magical, spiritual color that triggers creativity. It’s associated with power, luxury, and the body’s spirit. 

Lighter shades of purple can also have a calming effect on the mind, making it appropriate for meditation rooms, bedrooms, or office spaces.

 

Entryways & Small Spaces

Orange is a combination of red and yellow, which are both energetic colors. Because of its eye-catching nature and ability to draw attention, orange is often associated with caution, but can be used as a gorgeous burst of color in small spaces.

Orange is great for entryways, as it can get visitors excited to see the rest of your perfectly designed home. It also acts as a punchy accent (when used with restraint) in smaller spaces, such as nooks in the living room or on the back panels of built-in shelving.

 

Living Rooms

Of all the rooms in the home, living rooms are the most multi-functional. So, it’s difficult to recommend one “winner above all” color for the space. It depends heavily on how you tend to use the room.

This room also tends to be dominated by large furniture: big couches, end tables, coffee tables, a flat-screen TV, and maybe an entertainment console, bookshelf, or fireplace. That’s a lot going on! So, you may decide to choose a color that best complements the furniture in the room, rather than anything else.

No kids in the house, or love high drama? Combine white and black for the height of edgy elegance: black walls and light fixtures paired with a white ceiling, white carpet, and white drapes. With such stark contrast between these two basic colors, you have the freedom to play around with accent colors as the mood strikes you.

 choosing the right paint color for every room in your home 

Before You Begin

Use this guide to help you narrow down your choices, but remember to paint a few swatches before deciding to paint the whole room!

Large swatches of 2’ x 3’ will give you the most accurate idea of how a color will behave as the light shifts throughout the day. Often the way it looks in the store isn’t the way it looks at home, because in each room the lighting and furniture are different. Try to limit yourself to testing 3-4 colors in each room at once, so you don’t fall prey to decision fatigue.

Tweet us @Sparetoolzapp to tell us which colors you’ll be choosing for your next home improvement project!

Latest Blog Posts

A picture of wood pallets, which can be used for a lot of upcycling ideas. How to Repurpose Trash into Treasure
Want a more creative, and useful, solution for dealing with old stuff? We got you: Upcycling. Here are some ideas to get you started on repurposing seemingly unusable items!
A man feeding a giraffe during one of the amazing Airbnb experiences available. Our Favorite AirBnb Experiences of 2022
We love us some adventure every once in awhile. That's why we've put together this list of awesome Airbnb Experiences for 2022!
An example of an apartment toolkit. The Essential Apartment Toolkit
Apartment-dwellers are often low on space. Ain't nobody got room to store a whole garage worth of tools! Here, we're paring it down to just the top 9 essential tools every renter should have.
A tenant responsible fore repairs changing his light bulb. How to Know When a Repair Is a Renter's Responsibility (Plus, How to Get Them Done)
Tenants aren't responsible for most repairs, but there are a select few to be aware of. Let's review them and show you how to get 'em done!
A picture showing how plants and mirrors can elevate apartments. How To Elevate Your Apartment (Without Breaching Your Lease)
Wanna elevate your apartment? This guide's got a few (really) good ideas, and they're all super simple and cheap!
How to Revitalize Reclaimed Wood How to Revitalize Reclaimed Wood
Breathe new life into old timber with these 8 DIY project ideas using reclaimed wood!
Old tools ready to learn some new tricks for new uses. Teach Your Old Tools Some New Tricks
Your old tools can do more than you may think, you just have to be creative! Let's look at some novel ways you can put your gear to work.
5 Multifunctional Pieces of Furniture for Small Spaces 5 Multifunctional Pieces of Furniture for Small Spaces
Living in a small space can present some unique challenges. Using multifunctional furniture is one way to retain all the room for activities -- and your sanity.
5 DIY Ideas For Pets With Limitations 5 DIY Ideas For Pets With Limitations
Your home is your pet's home, too! Here's how to keep things comfy as your furry friend ages or develops physical challenges.
Cool old chairs and a table showing the benefits of secondhand furniture. The Benefits of Secondhand Furniture for Your Home
From DIY refresh opportunities to environmental impact — here are all the benefits of showing pre-loved furniture some...new love.
A family that co-creates on group projects. 4 Ways Collaborative Projects Can Strengthen Relationships
Whether you call it co-creating or working on a group project, the fact is it's all quality time — and it can bring you closer to the ones you care about most. In this article we cover how building things also builds bonds.
A couple considering their potential home design aesthetics. What Your Home's Aesthetic Says About You
Your home design philosophy is something that's deeply personal. It's a reflection of who you are! In this article we take a look at what that reflection might be. So buckle up, things might get lulzy.
A couple feeling the reward of self improvement through home improvement. How Home Improvement Can Build Confidence
The new year’s getting a little less…new, which makes this a great time to check in on your resolutions and see how you feel!
Man building the home goods he needs himself. How To: Build The Home Goods You Need
This how to guide isn't like other how to guides — this is about building simple and essential home goods you actually need. So get ready to learn how to build that thing you've always wanted. It's not as hard as you may think!
A woman using peer-to-peer platforms. The Coolest Peer-To-Peer Platforms of 2022
The sharing economy has BOOMED over the last decade, and it isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Peer-to-peer platforms have revolutionized the way we look for products and services.
5 Easy-To-Keep New Year’s Resolutions For Your Home 5 Easy-To-Keep New Year’s Resolutions For Your Home
Your home is likely where you spend most of your time — especially these days. That being the case, the way it looks and feels has a huge impact on your overall well-being.
DIY Projects To Make Your Home A Winter Wonderland DIY Projects To Make Your Home A Winter Wonderland
The winter months are finally here, and now is a perfect time to start making your home feel a little bit cozier--and festive! (If that's your thing.)
7 Ways To Optimize Your Home To Hold Heat 7 Ways To Optimize Your Home To Hold Heat
It's that time of year! ⛄️ Suffering from energy inefficiency? Read on for a handful of easy-to-apply tips that'll keep the cozy in, all winter long (no fire required).
How To Win Holiday Hosting How To Win Holiday Hosting
The holidays are fast approaching, and for many people, (now that we can carefully reconvene with friends and family!) that means a social calendar brimming with holiday parties.
DIY YouTube Accounts You Should Follow Right Now DIY YouTube Accounts You Should Follow Right Now

If you’re looking for some DIY inspiration, YouTube is a great place to start. Not only is it a Nirvana...

7 Celebrity Homes To Get Design Inspo Flowing 7 Celebrity Homes To Get Design Inspo Flowing
Feel like you’re stuck in a bit of an interior design rut? Looking at celebrity homes is a great way to get your creative juices flowing.
Purrfect DIY Ideas: Projects Your Pets Will Appreciate Purrfect DIY Ideas: Projects Your Pets Will Appreciate
There’s nothing like having a pet at home. They bring us joy, companionship, and unconditional love. (Well...OK, maybe cats have some conditions.)
The DOs and DON’Ts of Tiling The DOs and DON’Ts of Tiling
Tiling is a DIY project anyone can do to spice up a kitchen or bathroom!
10 Spooktacular Ideas for Halloween Home Decor 10 Spooktacular Ideas for Halloween Home Decor
When you were a trick-or-treating youngster, chances are one of your favorite parts about Halloween--besides rocking a wicked costume and stuffing your face with sugar--was checking out all the spooky decorations your neighbors tricked out (sorry) their homes with. Now that you’re--ahem--an adult, Halloween might look a little different (or maybe not...we don’t judge) but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t still be fun.
6 Tips for Creating the Perfect Work From Home Space 6 Tips for Creating the Perfect Work From Home Space
Working remotely sounds like hitting the work jackpot. PJ’s all day, no long commute, and no unnecessary small talk. But it can be hard to stay productive when the fridge and Netflix keep calling your name. That’s why we’ve compiled some tips on how to create the perfect WFH space for optimal productivity.
Tools for Generations: Baby Boomers Through Gen Z Tools for Generations: Baby Boomers Through Gen Z
No matter the size of the project or skill level required, there are tools available for every generation to succeed.
5 Basic Home Repairs Everyone Should Know 5 Basic Home Repairs Everyone Should Know
It would be awesome if houses and apartments never needed any maintenance. Until someone figures out how to build self-repairing homes (looking at you, Elon), we should all have a little DIY maintenance know-how.
6 Unique Ways to Connect With Your Community 6 Unique Ways to Connect With Your Community
Beyond unpacking boxes, picking out curtains, and buying an unnecessary number of succulents, one of the best ways to truly feel settled into a new home is to connect with your neighbors. For those of us who are a little green to networking, here are 6 unique ideas to help you start building meaningful relationships in your community.
7 Ways to Divide a Room (Without Building a Wall) 7 Ways to Divide a Room (Without Building a Wall)
Open floor plans have received a lot of love in the last several years, but what’s one to do when the space is...too open?
Tik Tok's Most Celebrated DIY Trends Right Now Tik Tok's Most Celebrated DIY Trends Right Now
Many people are still bound (or, rather, re-bound) to their homes and growing tired of their pandemic-necessitated hobbies. 
8 Ways to Make Your Rental Feel like Home 8 Ways to Make Your Rental Feel like Home
Buying a home may be the easiest way to feel like you have a place that’s truly yours (since, in that case, it...literally is) but you don’t need to be a homeowner to make a place your home. 
5 Great Apps and Services for Finding Your New Apartment 5 Great Apps and Services for Finding Your New Apartment
Welcome to the Internet: effortlessly soar through cyberspace at lightning speed to find exactly what you need, right now.
6 IKEA Hacks You Should Try Right Now 6 IKEA Hacks You Should Try Right Now
IKEA is known for its affordable prices, maze-like stores, and...equally maze-like assembly instructions.
How to: Build & Fill a Garden Box How to: Build & Fill a Garden Box
If you’ve never grown your own food, just imagine it for a minute:
How to Keep Cool Without A/C How to Keep Cool Without A/C
It’s too damn hot.
How To: Make a Home In Your Home For Your Pets How To: Make a Home In Your Home For Your Pets
Once upon a time, if the family dog wasn’t banished alone to a dark, doorless dog house, he slept on an unforgiving floor in the house -- with not so much as a comfy memory foam bed with removable faux fur cover, matching bolsters, and built-in aromatherapy to ease his humiliation.
Best Practices for Organizing Small Spaces (Yes, That Small) Best Practices for Organizing Small Spaces (Yes, That Small)
Want the secret to mastering small spaces?
Your Lawn is Useless (But It Doesn't Have to Be) Your Lawn is Useless (But It Doesn't Have to Be)
At its best, your lawn is a beautifully dense, vibrantly green...um, patch of grass.
Drywall Repair Tips for Beginners Who Don’t Want to Learn the Hard Way Drywall Repair Tips for Beginners Who Don’t Want to Learn the Hard Way
There are a lot -- and we mean a lot -- of drywall repair tutorials available on the Internet, and we know you’ll find your favorites.
DIY Home Improvement Resources That Will Actually Teach You Something DIY Home Improvement Resources That Will Actually Teach You Something

We bet a lot of DIY social media accounts and sites make you oooooo, ahhhhh, and dream of transforming your...

Is Renting More Sustainable Than Buying? Is Renting More Sustainable Than Buying?
With the idea of environmental responsibility taking up more mental real estate in the past few years, we’ve all been looking for ways to minimize our impact and give Mother Nature a little breather.
Everything You Need to Know About Side Hustles Everything You Need to Know About Side Hustles
The pandemic has, over the past year, left many people with more time and less cash. Whether walking dogs, turning professional skills into a freelance gig, checking off someone’s shopping list, or any of dozens of other options, folks have taken advantage of technology to get the bills paid.
12 Tools Every Millennial Should Have (and Why) 12 Tools Every Millennial Should Have (and Why)
From avocado toast and Instagram to 3D-printed custom prostheses (Disney characters or tattoos, anyone?) and Uber, Millennials are famous for innovation. Allergic to the status quo, we’re built for “figuring it out” and finding unique ways to do things. 
DIY TikTok Tile Table Sparetoolz How To: Build TikTok's Tile Table
This 80s-flavored decor trend is taking the internet by storm. Here's how to bring it home for yourself.
How to Keep Plants Alive Here’s How To Keep Plants Alive In Your Home, Even If You Kill Everything
If you've convinced yourself that you're a perilous threat to all floral life and so are destined for a plant-less existence...we have good news.
Here Are Some of the Best Airbnbs in Each State Here Are Some of the Best Airbnbs in Each State
Despite Airbnb’s bizarrely humble beginning (and some pretty intense hurdles--legislative and logistical), nothing has been able to squelch its meteoric rise to multi-billion-dollar company. Turns out millions of people find it perfectly acceptable to sleep in a stranger’s bed. Who knew?
Trendy pink lettered neon sign on brick wall Taking Out the Trash: Interior Design Trends That Should Stay in 2020
We’re all ready to throw 2020 down the garbage chute. Here are some home design trends that should be tossed out with it.
Green and blue botanical wallpaper applied behind gold bathtub How to Apply Wallpaper (And What Not to Do)
Yes, we know, wallpaper is infamous for being a nightmare. Just hear us out.
Parents hang picture on wall as child stands nearby to help with project 5 Home Improvement Projects Kids Can Help With
Including kids in "grown-up" projects doesn't just present opportunities for memory-making; it also shows them that they are capable little humans, who will grow into self-sufficient big humans.
Modern living room painted white and featuring honey-colored wood floors and accents, a large gas fireplace and textured grey sofa 25 Things You Need to Know About Maintaining a House
Maintaining a house requires effort, but it doesn't have to be difficult. Here are 25 tips to get you well on your way to a happy home.