If you’re dreaming of that perfect shade of grey, but are overwhelmed by the various swatches, you’re not alone. Grey paint is one of the most popular colours for home interiors, and also one of the toughest to choose. Unfortunately, there is no single “perfect” shade of grey that will work for every room.

In reality, your decision on shade of grey will depend on the lighting in your house and the colours that surround it, combined with personal preference. By following these tips for how to pick the perfect shade of grey for your home’s interior, you’ll be able to better understand how to pick the shade that works for your home.

Know your Undertones

Grey can appear misleading in many colour scheme situations, so it’s important to factor in the underlying colour scheme of your room and your furniture within it. If grey is up against a red-coloured background, it can look slightly green. When viewed near a yellow background, it tends to look more purple. Consider the textiles with which you plan to decorate. Are they warm or cool undertones?

Warm undertones such as brown, taupe, red, orange and yellow should be complemented by a grey with warm undertones (tan or beige). Cool undertones on the other hand like blues, greens, and purples are best suited for a grey paint with cool undertones. A knowledgable painting contractor or paint supplier can help you find a shade of grey that will work with whichever undertones you prefer.

Know your Lighting

No matter which shade of grey you end up selecting, it will look different in natural light and artificial light. Consider where and when you spend most of your time in your home. If you spend most of your time there during the day, you may want to test your colour in natural lighting conditions. If you’re more of a night owl or are considering using grey in your bedroom, test it with artificial lighting to get your most desired look and feel.

A few questions to ask yourself when it comes to lighting:

Which direction do your windows face? North facing rooms don’t tend to get as much natural light, so if you choose a grey with warm undertones, the entire room will feel a bit warmer. South facing rooms get more sun and work better with cooler shades of grey.

Determine what type of bulbs you’re using with artificial lighting. Soft white/warm white bulbs produce warm undertones. Bright white/cool white bulbs produce neutral light and even have a slight blue tint that will bring out cool undertones.

Test Your Colours

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to a few of your favourite shades of grey, grab some samples and a small section of the wall with both warm and cool grey undertones to see how each one reacts to the light before making your final decision. You can also paint a small section of drywall which allows you to move that paint colour in different areas of the room and prevents you from having to cover up a few different shades on the wall once you’ve decided on a colour. Check out the painted sample throughout the day to see how the sunlight affects them and choose from there!