Painting Ideas: How to Pick the Perfect Paint Colour

Add some colour to your life and learn how to pick the perfect paint colour! Get tips for every room in your home with expert painting ideas for your bedroom, kitchen, living room, or bathroom.

Paint With All the Colours of the Rainbow

Get your next paint project started with Lowe's! Whether you're a beginner or an expert, we'll make your painting a breeze. Visit us in-store and speak with a Paint Specialist today. They can give you recommendations, mix your colour to order, and help you pick all the best painting accessories!

It’s important to start by finding a colour theme. There are three themes to choose from: 

• Analogous: This theme uses three related colours that lie next to each other on the colour wheel. This colour family can create moderate contrast and great combinations. 

• Complementary: This colour family is directly opposite of each other on the colour wheel. They create dynamic contrasts that complement each other well. 

• Monochromatic: These hues use several shades of the same colour which results in minimal contrast.

Tip: Always bring the paint chips home so you can get an idea of what the colour will look like in your room’s natural light!

You should also consider the type of paint. Paint comes in a variety of sheens and materials like latex or acrylic. Each type has a purpose and can greatly impact the overall look and quality of your finished look.  

Sheen

• Flat: This will give your wall a matte finish. Flat paint is best used for low-traffic rooms, ceilings, and accent walls. It is great for covering any imperfections in the drywall. 
• Semi-Gloss: Perfect for kitchens or bathrooms, paints with a semi-gloss sheen are super easy to clean. 
• Satin & Eggshell: A satin sheen has all the benefits of semi-gloss and gloss without the shine. Satin finishes are easy to clean and won’t give you that extra reflective look. 
• Gloss: Get all the benefits of an easy clean-up! This sheen is perfect for high-traffic items like doors, baseboards, and trim. 

Materials 

• Latex: Probably one of the easiest paints to work with, latex paint takes almost no time to dry and can be applied with ease. Latex-based paint is perfect for ceilings and walls. 
• Acrylic: Acrylic-based paint is waterproof, making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Its protective coating allows for easy clean-up and is durable enough to withstand high-traffic areas of your home. 
• Water: Water based-paints are low-odour, eco-friendly, and easy to clean. Because of its thin viscosity, you’ll need to use a primer to help the paint stick to the wall. 
• Oil: Oil-based paints are super sturdy, so it’s perfect for baseboards and doors!

Try Our Online Paint Selector

Need help finding the right colour? Try our online paint selector, where you can easily browse shades, order online and pick-up at your local store.

Find zen in your bedroom by picking the perfect wall colour! Look for pastel colours like sea blue, soft green, or lavender. Colours with blue and green hues are neutral and encourage a serene and relaxing atmosphere. Soft lavenders and pinks are calming and elegant. 

Colours like cream, cool grey, beige, and bright white provide a versatile canvas for layering different looks. They lend themselves well in rooms with mismatched furniture or bright accents like pillows, blankets, and decor.

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house, so it is imperative to capture the right mood in the wall colour. For something with a lot of energy, go for teal, bright violet, or navy blue. These colours work best with light cabinets and countertops. 

If you want your kitchen to be bright and joyful, colours like yellow, peach, and green apple will do the trick. Since these colours will brighten up the space, they’re great if your kitchen has minimal natural light!

Consider an accent wall near your dining area. A pop of pastel orange, paired with bright white walls, will give your kitchen a unique look!  

Tip: Look for a semi-gloss or gloss sheen—it will make cleaning-up a breeze!

The living room is the ultimate gathering place for your family and friends, and the paint colour can have a huge impact on the space. Go with bold colours like crimson red, orange, deep purple, or teal. These hues will add contrast to any neutral coloured couches or arm chairs. 

Deep grey or chocolate brown will give your living room a more traditional look. They coordinate well with leather couches and hardwood flooring. Try adding a bright, colourful area rug for more dimension and texture! 

Durable and easy to apply, satin or flat sheens are perfect for living rooms.

No boring bathrooms allowed! The right colour will create an eye-catching bathroom that you and your family will love. If you're going for a vibrant look, dark blues and teals are perfect. Get creative and try colour blocking! This will create a dynamic washroom that is not only creative, but unique. 

For smaller bathrooms you'll want to choose subtle colours like grey, bright white, or soft blue to help the space appear larger. Have fun by adding different patterns and colour combinations that contrast your vanity, shower curtain, or bath mat. 

Tip: Look for waterproof paint to avoid any mildew or mold build up!