by Amanda Baggaley-Lacerte
One of the most essential elements to consider when choosing a paint colour and often the most overlooked, is light. As the appearance of colour is reliant on light, light has a significant influence on how we view colour.
Colour is not static. The same shade of blue, for example, can look very different when viewed under artificial lighting and then in the daylight. In fact, the same colour in the same room can appear dramatically different during different times of the day.
The technical term given to describe the phenomenon of the change in a colour’s appearance when viewed under different lighting conditions is metamerism.
In our homes the three most common sources of lighting are incandescent, florescent and halogen.
Incandescent is the most common type of interior lighting. This type of light radiates a warm, yellow glow. Incandescent lighting will enhance yellow tones and cause blue tones to appear more grey.
In contrast to the warmth that incandescents will flood a room with, florescent lighting casts a cool, blue-based light over a space. This brand of lighting enhances cool colours, like blues and cool greens.
Halogen lighting or “white light” is the most accurate light for viewing colour as it is the closest approximation to natural daylight. It will shed a crisp white light over an area.
All light sources, from artificial lighting to the natural light of day, have different spectral power that affects the way we see colour, therefore, it is important to view the colour swatches under the lighting conditions in the room that we intend to paint. And, not only should we consider the artificial lighting of a space, it is as important to consider the natural light and the direction from whence it comes.
A south facing room has the “purest” light most of the day, that is, colours appear the most accurate. Any colour scheme will work well in this type of exposure.
Direct sunlight will make bright colours look even brighter.
A northern exposure will emit a cold light all day. To add warmth to a north facing room, avoid using cool colours. Instead, choose bright or warm colours to counter the effect of the cold light.
Eastern and western facing rooms change throughout the day. For example, in the morning, an eastern exposure is bathed with bright and warm light and as the day progresses, the light becomes less bright and cool. The opposite is true for western facing rooms; not very bright and cool in the morning, warm and sun-filled in the late afternoon. Decorate with a mixture of warm and cool hues to complement the changing light.
Most retail stores are lit with florescent bulbs. Unless you are choosing colours for a room with florescent lighting, take your paint chip or your fabric swatch into the natural light or ideally, bring a sample home with you. If you are choosing a colour from home, remember to view your colour sample at various times during the day. A colour viewed by the natural light in an eastern exposure during the morning hours will appear very different when viewed in the evening under incandescent lighting.
Other than light, what other elements do you consider when choosing a colour??
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