Light has a way of changing under different light conditions. This is one of the main reasons that it is a bad idea to pick a paint color while you are standing in the paint store. You must see how it reacts with the light in your home. Even how it looks at different times of the day is important to know when choosing which is right for your situation. This is why paint stores have color swatches for you to take home and look at. Choosing a paint color that looks great in natural sunlight is ideal.
Mesmerism
Mesmerism is the term used for the way that light affects colors. This is a part of your everyday life. Colors can be deceiving in some places while when brought into natural light, can be viewed clearly. You need to take things into consideration about the area that you are about to paint. The amount of light that will get to this area, the types of interior lights that will be on the area, and what time of day you may be using the room the most are all important factors. The color you choose may not look exactly like it does at the paint store.
Natural Sunlight’s Affects
Natural sunlight helps provide a natural balance between the cool and warm ends of the light spectrum. It is not always consistent and can be affected by changes throughout the day. Being cloudy or clear can also play a huge role. Interior painting is affected by lighting. They type of light and positioning can change how it looks greatly.
Chameleon Colors
Some colors in your house painting are affected by light more than others. Grays, gray-blue, gray-green, mauve, and lavender are a few of these cases. They are almost like chameleons colors and make a room more interesting.
Artificial vs. Natural Light
When it comes to judging how artificial light will affect the color, start with the lights off. You should check during two specific times of the day, nightfall and at night. While some light will still be coming in at nightfall, no additional light will be available at night. The colors will be directly influenced by what lighting you have near them and what is pointed at them. Three types of bulbs are generally used inside.
Types of Light Bulbs
Incandescent bulbs give a warm light that adds some yellow and ambers to the color of the room. Your warm colors like red, yellow, and orange will appear more vibrant and intense under this type of light. Cooler colors will become more dulled.
Fluorescent lights give off a slightly bluish light and work well with paints that are blue and green. You can even buy special fluorescent lights to give off an even cooler light.
Halogen lights are the closest things to replicating natural light. It is mostly white and does not add anything from the light source in the way of color. It sometimes has the effect of cooling colors down.
Direction of Light
The direction that the light is coming from can also play a factor in the way we see color. Northern exposure s light from the north. It is indirect and cool. It can even appear grey depending on exactly where you live. Choosing a cream or yellow paint will amplify this sunlight.
Southern exposure is warm and can become intense during the middle of the day. Rich greens and blues will almost appear to glow.
Light can affect the way you see colors dramatically. Depending on the type of light, the direction of the light, the source of the light, and the time of day your paint could look completely different.