“Avoiding Costly Paint Mistakes: What to Know Before You Choose a Color”

Choosing a paint color seems like it should be simple - until you're standing in front of 100 shades of white or beige, holding up tiny swatches and hoping for the best. I know this not just as a designer, but from personal experience.

When we built our own home in 2021, I assumed starting from scratch would make decisions easier. No conflicting countertops. No dated tile to work around. But in truth, having endless options can make it harder. The pressure to get it right the first time, especially when you know how costly it is to repaint or rework things, can lead to sleepless nights.

Even as a professional, I felt that weight. When it's your own home, or your forever home, you don’t want to just "wing it." You want confidence in every choice. Whether you're building new, updating an older space, or just trying to refresh a room, here are the three most common paint mistakes I see and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Choosing Color Without Understanding Undertones

Choosing a neutral paint color sounds easy, until you realize how many undertones are hiding beneath the surface. Beige, greige, and even white paints can carry subtle hints of pink, yellow, green, or orange. These undertones don’t always show up on a small swatch or in bright store lighting, but once the color is up on the walls, it becomes much more obvious - and sometimes very wrong.

Years ago, before I knew what I know now, my husband and I bought our first pre-owned home. It was 1996. The upstairs had bright emerald green carpet in the guest rooms, and honey oak trim throughout (which was trendy at the time). I was looking for a neutral wall color that would work with my deep chestnut-toned antique bedroom set. While I was at work, my sweet husband surprised me by painting the room with a taupe I picked out. The only problem? It wasn’t taupe - it was pink. So pink. We still laugh that it must’ve been called something like Sunset Whisper, because who wouldn’t want their bedroom to glow like a whispered sunset?

Our first “neutral” wall color back in 1996 paired with emerald green carpet and honey oak trim. This was my first lesson in undertones. And yes... we repainted the whole thing a week later.

We repainted the room with a much more neutral choice, but it taught me early on that paint labels are not always reliable. Undertones matter. Choosing a color that doesn’t coordinate with the fixed elements in your room - like flooring, tile, or furniture - can throw everything off.

When undertones work with your existing finishes, everything feels calm and connected. This updated bedroom shows how the right wall color brings it all together.

To truly see undertones, I now test colors on white poster board instead of placing them directly on the wall. That way I’m seeing the color in isolation, without being influenced by existing paint or trim. I also compare multiple colors side by side to better understand their differences. The photo below shows three colors that seem “neutral” at first glance, but reveal their true personality when placed in front of white and held against the sofa behind them they are attempting to harmonize.

Notice how the third option (far right) relates best to the green-beige tone of the sofa behind it. Without this comparison, it’s easy to choose a color that “almost works” but ends up clashing in real life.

Taking the time to identify undertones is one of the most important things you can do to make sure your final color choice feels right - not just in the store, but in your actual space.

Mistake #2: Choosing Paint in the Wrong Lighting

Lighting isn’t just a factor. It’s one of the most important elements that determines how your paint color will actually appear on your walls. What looks soft and creamy in the morning light can suddenly feel dingy or yellow at night.

That’s why I always recommend testing your paint samples in front of a large sheet of white poster board (you should also do this with fixed elements such as tile, countertops, stone, etc.). Never place the samples directly over your existing wall color. The clean true white background allows you to see the true color without interference. Then, move those samples around your home and observe them at different times of day. You’ll be surprised how much lighting changes everything.

These samples were placed near a window in natural daylight to show their true appearance. Testing paint in real lighting conditions is key to seeing how it will actually look in your space.

Natural daylight is always the most reliable when evaluating color, but it’s equally important to check how it looks under artificial light. Warm bulbs, cool LEDs, and even shadows from furniture can shift the feel of a color. I recommend testing your top two or three options near key areas like windows, corners, and next to trim or flooring. Then observe them throughout the day, especially during daylight hours. This gives you the clearest sense of how the color will live and breathe in your home.

Mistake #3: Choosing the Paint Color First

Out of all the design decisions you’ll make, paint might feel like the easiest. It’s everywhere, it’s affordable, and it’s tempting to pick your favorite color and build around it. But that approach often leads to costly mistakes and repainting later.

In truth, paint should be the very last decision you make, especially if you’re building or remodeling. Your fixed elements are far more permanent and expensive to change. Think about flooring, countertops, backsplash tile, stone fireplaces, and cabinetry. These take up large visual space and often have strong undertones of their own. Even your upholstery and large furniture pieces can quietly demand a specific undertone in the paint to feel cohesive.

The undertones in this room all work together - the wall color complements the flooring, tile, and furniture, creating a soft, harmonious look.

I’ve seen clients fall in love with a paint color too early, only to realize later that it clashes with their tile or counters. Paint may seem like the simple choice, but it’s one of the trickiest to get right. When you choose it last, you give yourself the best chance of making a space that feels polished and pulled together.

Sometimes, though, we have the fortune of having all our fixed elements harmonize beautifully. Soft white countertops with a gentle gold vein, paired with an equally lovely soft white subway tile, and medium-stained hardwood floors. (Which, by the way, are the design equivalent of blue jeans—they go with almost everything.) Even then, you still need something to guide your decision. Whether it’s a favorite piece of artwork, a beautiful rug, drapery, or bedding, these more personal pieces can become your inspiration. From there, your paint color supports the story you’re already telling.

Every space needs a starting point. In this room, a piece of artwork was the spark that guided everything else — from the color palette to the pillows and accent pieces. Choose your inspiration first and let the paint bring it all together.

Choosing the right paint color is about more than picking a shade you like. It’s about understanding your space, your lighting, your furnishings, and the quiet influence of undertones that often go unnoticed until it’s too late. With the right guidance and a thoughtful approach, paint can be the finishing touch that brings your entire home together.

If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you're building new, remodeling, or just trying to get one room right, I offer both local and virtual color consultations designed to take the stress out of the process and give you confidence in your choices.

You can explore my services (https://www.beeceeandcompany.com/services) or reach out anytime. I’d love to help you choose color that feels like home.