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The Power of Lighting

Paint Doesn't Lie -
But Light Sure Does

You can fall in love with a colour on a swatch, only to see it shift the moment it hits your walls. That's not a paint problem - it's a lighting reality.

 

From foggy Eastern Passage mornings to bright overhead LEDs in a Bedford basement, the way a colour reads on your walls depends on the type, temperature, and direction of the light in your space.

 

We'll show you how to factor in both natural and artificial lighting so your chosen shade always hits the mark - rain or shine. 

Natural Light vs. Artificial Light

Natural Light vs. Artificial Light | Rolling Thunder Painting Company

Natural Light

Natural Light

Natural light is constantly shifting - morning, noon, and night all cast different tones.

The direction your room faces plays an equal part in the effect of lighting:

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  • North-facing rooms: Cooler, indirect light. Colours tend to look muted and bluer.

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  • East-facing rooms: Bright, warm light in the morning, fading cooler later in the day. Colour choice depends on the time of day the room gets the most use.

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  • South-facing rooms: Warm, steady sunlight. Colours appear warmer and more vibrant.​

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  • West-facing rooms: Cooler mornings, rich golden light in the afternoon and evening. Colours are time-use dependant here as well.

*DIY Tip* - To find which way your room faces, all you need is a compass (yes, there's an app for that). Point it at the biggest window/main light source in the room. Whatever your compass reads (N/S/E/W) is the direction your room faces.

Artificial Light

Your lightbulbs play just as big a role as the sun. The type and temperature of artificial lighting can shift the tone of your paint completely.

Common Bulb Types & Their Effect On Colour

  • Incandescent/Halogen: Cast a warm yellow glow - great for rich or cozy colours.

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  • Fluorescent: Cool and sometimes harsh - can make warm colours appear dull.

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  • LED: Available in all kinds of temps - choose "daylight" LEDs to keep things bright and balanced.

What's light temperature?

Rolling Thunder Painting Company's Kelvin scale

The temperature of your lighting affects both the colour and the mood. It's measured in Kelvin (K) - a scale that runs from about 1000K to 10,000K, though most in-home lighting sits between 2700K and 5000K. Lower numbers give off a warm, yellowish glow - think bedrooms, living rooms) - while higher numbers feel brighter, cooler, and more blue-toned - think offices or your garage.

Quick Tip:

  • ​Warm light - Boosts warm tones (reds, beiges, yellows)

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  • Cool light - Sharpens cool tones (blues, greys, greens)

Lighting sets the tone for colour - LRV decides how far it goes.

See our Light Reflectance Value page to learn more.

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