Is there a knack for understanding paint colours?

[thelegohooverer]

Is there a way for a decor-idiot like myself to find this out? I’ve been browsing paint websites (fleetwood, colour trend and dulux so far) but they don’t make it clear at all. Or at least not to me! There doesn’t even seem to be a logical order to it that I can detect.

I’m on a tight budget and while don’t mind ordering a few sample pots I don’t want to get them (and pay shipping) and discover that they’re all unsuitably warm toned. I just can’t figure out how to tell this myself.

When I get it on the wall I’ll know if it’s wrong. But I can’t see (like my lovely sil can) that a colour has a hint of yellow or mauve or whatever.

Is there a knack or a trick that can be learned? Is there a logical order that I’m missing? Or a guide to translating paint names?

Hi - you aren’t missing anything! Each company creates its own way of arranging colours. Some are more logical than others but very few share how they are arranged.

Both Dulux and NCS (Johnstone’s) do have logical systems, but few know how to interpret them.

I think I have a couple of infographics that show how. I will post as I find them.

There is an excellent system that EVERY paint company uses to conceive, make and match paint - but NONE share that system from their labs to the front of house, marketeers and us.

It’s a waste as it highlights the key measurable attributes of a paint colour so you don’t need pfaff and guess. It’s called CIELAB.

Using it, it’s possible to measure a colour’s
L = Lightness. (Value) How light or dark does it appear.
C = Chroma. How near to neutral or how colourful is it?
h = Hue Angle°. Showing in which Hue Family it sits.
(EVERY paint colour belongs to a measurable Hue Family)
LRV = How much light does a paint color reflect back?

By using this information it’s possible to compare colour attributes in detail. Without it, everyone is using their best guesses.

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thelandofcolor.com/chroma-explained-in-plain-english-with-case-studies/

You may find this article and others in this blog of interest.

And here’s how to read a Dulux Code

Thank you!!!

I absolutely hate choosing paint, so much bollocks!

Same when I need a toner for my printer, it’s blue, pink and fucking yellow!

Unhelpful OP, sorry

The best thing to do for most people is to get loads of paint cards and look at them in lots of different lights. Ideally then once you've narrowed down your choices, get some testers and try them in different places in the room. Colours look completely different in different lights.

Also keep in mind that what is underneath will affect the colour and that most paints will need at least two coats and this will also affect the way they look on the wall.

The internet has made it much easier. Lots of the branded paints will tell you on their websites what the colour base is and whether it is warm or cool toned, contains yellow or green etc.

Is there a b&q near you? Can you go and get a load of those little cards?

I would start with that (and pick a few lighter and darker than you actually think, then have a look at them at home, in different parts of the room and in different lights.

Generally I feel I can now go off the pain chips, but if you’re unsure then narrow it down to a couple of colours and get testers. Then either paint them in a few different spots in the room, or paint on some paper/card that you can move around.

B&q sell valspar paint, which offers a love your colour money back - I think some other paint companies do it too.

If you have no idea where to start, think about the big things in the room e.g. a sofa, or rug - it is much easier to find a paint colour to go with a rug you like than vice versa! Paint is actually the easiest thing to colour match, so although it’s the practical first thing to do when re-decorating, it should actually be one of the last things you pick when re-designing a room.

I agree with the above. Rarely are you starting with a completely blank canvas.

Taking direction from the key fixtures, (flooring,worktop,windows) or furnishings, (rug, artwork, sofa), helps to harmonise the different surfaces & paint via their colour attributes.

thelandofcolor.com/bringing-perspective-color-undertone/

If you can avoid getting sucked into the undertone abyss -
that will help too. (See the article link above).
It was quite an eye-opener for me!

🌈