Paint Color Lighting Preview

How This Tool Works

This tool simulates how paint colors appear under different lighting conditions by applying color temperature adjustments. Warm light (2700K-3000K) emphasizes red and yellow tones, making colors appear warmer. Cool light (5000K-6500K) emphasizes blue tones, making colors appear cooler. Daylight (5500K-6500K) provides a neutral reference.

The tool uses color temperature algorithms to adjust RGB values based on the light source. This gives you a preview of how the same color can look dramatically different depending on your room's lighting.

Understanding Color Temperature

• Warm Light (2700K-3000K): Incandescent bulbs, warm LEDs, candlelight. Creates cozy, inviting atmosphere. Makes warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) pop. Can make cool colors (blues, greens) appear muted.
• Cool Light (5000K-6500K): Fluorescent bulbs, cool LEDs, some daylight. Creates bright, energizing atmosphere. Makes cool colors pop. Can make warm colors appear less vibrant.
• Daylight (5500K-6500K): Natural sunlight at midday. Most neutral and accurate color representation. Varies throughout the day (warmer at sunrise/sunset, cooler at midday).

Tips for Choosing Paint Colors

• Test Samples: Always paint large samples (2x2 feet) on multiple walls and view at different times of day
• Consider Room Orientation: North-facing rooms get cool light, south-facing get warm light
• Match Light Sources: Consider your primary light source (natural vs artificial) when choosing colors
• Finish Matters: Matte finishes absorb light, gloss finishes reflect it - this affects color appearance
• Time of Day: Colors look different in morning, midday, and evening light - test at various times
• Adjacent Colors: Colors are affected by surrounding colors and surfaces in the room

FAQ

• How accurate is this color preview?
  This tool provides a visual approximation of how colors appear under different lighting. Actual appearance will vary based on paint finish (matte, satin, gloss), room orientation, time of day, window placement, and specific light fixtures. Always test paint samples in your actual space.
• What is warm light vs cool light?
  Warm light (2700K-3000K) has a yellow/orange tint like incandescent bulbs and warm LEDs. Cool light (5000K-6500K) has a blue/white tint like fluorescent and cool LED bulbs. Daylight (5500K-6500K) mimics natural sunlight. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K).
• Why do colors look different under different lights?
  Different light sources emit different wavelengths of light. Warm lights emphasize red/yellow tones, making colors appear warmer. Cool lights emphasize blue tones, making colors appear cooler. The same paint color can look dramatically different depending on the light source.
• Should I choose colors based on warm or cool lighting?
  Consider your room's primary light source. North-facing rooms get cool daylight, so warm colors can balance it. South-facing rooms get warm daylight, so cooler colors can balance it. For artificial lighting, test samples under your actual fixtures at different times of day.
• How do I find the hex code for a paint color?
  Many paint brands provide hex codes on their websites or color tools. You can also use online color pickers or image tools to extract hex codes from photos. Some paint stores have digital color matching tools that provide hex codes.
• What if my room has mixed lighting?
  Rooms with mixed lighting (windows + artificial lights) will show color variation throughout the day. Test paint samples on multiple walls and view them at different times. Choose colors that work well in both warm and cool light if your room has mixed sources.