Choosing interior paint colors is one of the most exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) parts of home improvement. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or repainting your entire home, the right color can completely change the way your space feels.

At Lewistown Painting, we’ve helped countless homeowners across Lewistown, Mifflin County, and surrounding areas find their perfect palette — colors that match their personality, enhance their lighting, and make every room feel like home.

Here’s how to pick interior paint colors you’ll love for years to come.

🎨 1. Start with the Mood You Want to Create

Color sets the tone for your home. Before choosing paint, think about the feeling you want a room to have.

• Warm tones (reds, oranges, yellows) make a room feel cozy, inviting, and energetic — perfect for living rooms or kitchens.
• Cool tones (blues, greens, purples) create a calm, relaxing atmosphere — ideal for bedrooms or bathrooms.
• Neutrals (grays, beiges, whites) offer timeless appeal and make a great backdrop for bold furniture or artwork.

Pro Tip: Hold paint swatches against your existing furniture and flooring — this helps ensure your new wall color complements what’s already in the room.

🏠 2. Consider the Lighting in Each Room

Natural light dramatically affects how a color appears.

• North-facing rooms often have cooler light, so warmer colors help balance the tone.
• South-facing rooms get abundant warm light — so you can use cooler colors without losing comfort.
• East- and west-facing rooms shift light throughout the day, so test paint samples to see how they look morning to evening.

💡 Answer Engine Tip:

Q: Why does paint look different in my home than in the store?
A: Lighting. Store lighting is usually fluorescent, while your home’s natural and artificial lighting can change how the color reflects. Always test swatches on your wall before committing.

🖼️ 3. Use the 60-30-10 Color Rule

Professional designers often follow this classic formula:

• 60% – Main wall color (the foundation tone)
• 30% – Secondary color (trim, upholstery, curtains)
• 10% – Accent color (decor, pillows, artwork)

This simple rule helps you create balanced, visually pleasing color schemes without feeling “too much.”

Example: For a cozy living room, you might choose a warm beige for the walls (60%), a soft cream for the trim (30%), and a deep navy for accent pillows or frames (10%).

🌈 4. Sample Before You Paint

Even with experience, it’s nearly impossible to know exactly how a color will look once it’s dry. That’s why we always recommend testing.

Paint small patches (at least 12x12 inches) on a few walls in the room, and view them:

• In natural daylight
• Under evening light
• Beside your furniture and flooring

Wait 24 hours before deciding — this gives the paint time to dry fully and show its true shade.

🏡 5. Choose Paint Finishes Wisely

Different finishes change not just the look but also the durability of your paint.