You’ve decided to redecorate, or perhaps you’re finally putting your own stamp on a new home. The beginning of this process always feels exciting. You’re full of ideas, picking up paint charts, imagining how everything might come together.

But before you know it, you’re four paint charts deep, completely overwhelmed by colour options and wondering who knew there were so many shades of white. What felt like a simple decision suddenly feels anything but.

Your head is spinning with endless possibilities, and that’s before you’ve even thought about paint finishes.

After designing customers’ homes for over 35+ years between us at The Living House, we completely get it, choosing a paint colour isn’t easy. That’s why we’re sharing our tips on what to do before you start decorating. So, as tempting as it is to pop to the DIY store and choose your paint colours on a whim, read this blog first.

Decide on your full room colour scheme before choosing paint

You might be thinking, “I want to paint my living room green” and while it’s great to have an initial idea, we would always encourage you to consider the room as a whole first. Try not to choose a paint colour in isolation without thinking about the full picture.

Instead, decide on your overall room colour palette before committing to paint. That means considering your key pieces first, such as your sofa, armchairs, bed, and other larger furniture items. Otherwise, you risk choosing a paint colour you love, only to find it’s difficult to source fabrics and furnishings that actually work with it.

There are far more paint options available than there are fabric and furniture choices, so don’t unintentionally limit yourself. If you’re making bigger changes and investing in key pieces, always plan the full colour scheme first, then choose your paint to support it.

This is exactly where our service The Colour Fix comes in. If you would like expert help choosing paint colours for your room, as well as thoughtfully selecting complementary tones for key pieces such as your sofa, we can ensure everything feels cohesive and considered from the very start.

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Find out which direction your room faces before choosing your paint colours

This is something many people don’t think to check before choosing a paint colour, but it’s incredibly important. It’s also one of the first questions we ask every customer when designing their space, as a north facing room can feel completely different to a south facing one.

The good news is, it’s very easy to find out. Simply open the compass app on your phone and point it towards the largest window in the room.

If you have a north facing room, it’s important to be mindful of colours that may make the space feel cooler, as these rooms naturally receive less direct sunlight. Instead, look at shades with warmer undertones such as yellow, red, or pink based hues to help bring warmth and balance into the space.

If you’re unsure which shades work best in each direction (north, east, south, and west), we’ve created a paint guide to help. It’s designed to point you in the right direction, quite literally, and help you discover colours that will work beautifully in your home.

Discover our paint guide > 24 Perfect Paint Colours for North, East, South & West Facing Rooms

Always buy paint samples before committing

As interior designers, we will always recommend getting paint samples before committing to a colour, it’s one of the simplest ways to avoid costly mistakes. Yes, there is a small upfront cost, but it is far more worthwhile than spending hundreds of pounds on paint, only to realise once it’s on the walls that it isn’t right, and by that point, there are no refunds.

That being said, try not to go overboard with samples. If you’ve followed the steps before this, you should already have a clearer direction, which helps you avoid collecting and purchasing dozens of unnecessary options.

Test paint samples properly (and in the right way)

Once you do have your paint samples, one of the most common mistakes we see is people painting them directly onto the wall. While this might seem like the obvious thing to do, it is paint, after all — we would strongly advise against it.

Instead, paint your samples onto sheets of paper or card and pin them up around the room. Don’t just test one spot, place them in several different areas so you can see how the colour behaves in different light conditions throughout the day.

Doing this also gives you much more flexibility, as you can easily move the samples around and see how they work alongside other elements in the room, such as fabric samples, your sofa, or existing pieces that the colour needs to complement.

Consider the paint finish

Once you’ve chosen your paint colour, the next decision is selecting the finish that will work best in the space. This is often overlooked, but it plays a significant role in both the look and longevity of your walls.

It was only last week while I was waiting in the paint queue that I overheard someone being asked what finish they would like their paint in, and it was in that moment they were making a very quick, last-minute decision. It’s such a common scenario, but it really highlights how often this detail gets overlooked until the very end.

We would always recommend considering how the room is used day to day. High traffic areas such as hallways, stairs, kitchens, or any space that acts as a walkway will naturally experience more wear and tear over time, especially in family homes. In these cases, choosing a durable, scrubbable finish will make a huge difference, allowing you to wipe walls clean without worrying about damage.

Most paint brands now offer a scrubbable matt finish, so you don’t have to compromise on appearance for practicality. For example, options include Farrow & Ball Dead Flat or Modern Emulsion, Little Greene Intelligent Matt Emulsion, and Fenwick & Tilbrook Pure Matt Plus.

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If you want to avoid costly design mistakes, take a look at our online interior design packages to give you all the help you need. Whether you're looking for guidance on choosing a colour scheme, struggling with your room layout, or planning a full redesign, we can take the stress away and give you the confidence to move forward. Our online interior design packages are a flat fee and can work to any budget, large or small, saving you money along the way and ensuring you get the results you want and expect!

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