To freshen up a room’s decor or put the finishing touches to a redesign, there’s nothing better than applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls!
There are plenty of websites offering colour schemes and showcasing the latest hues. But choosing your paint colour online might prove disappointing, and you’re better off coming to the store to get a sample. Why? Here is an explanation of the many factors that influence colour perception…
The RGB system
First of all, you need to know that computer screens and smartphones use the RGB system, which stands for red, green and blue. It is based on the combination of these three colours to produce a vast spectrum of more complex hues. Each colour has a brightness level ranging from 0 to 255. When all three are combined to their maximum degree (255, 255, 255), we get white, and to the minimum (0, 0, 0), we get black. Colours always look brighter on screen than on paper (or on your walls).
Screens: changing settings
If you’re looking at an image on a computer screen and the same photo on your smartphone, it’s very likely that certain shades won’t be identical, since the colour settings on each screen are different. One of the reasons for this is the backlighting system, in which the light is diffused behind the screen, i.e. BEHIND the colour, whereas with paint on a wall, the light is projected ON top of the colour. So it’s hard to tell whether a screen is actually displaying the right paint colour!
Room lighting
Lighting in a room has a considerable impact on colour perception. That’s why you should test the paint before making your final choice.
You can obtain a colour chart from our in-store advisors or, even better, a sample jar of the desired colour. This will enable you to stick the small cardboard or apply the paint to the wall in question and see how the light in the room affects the perception of the colour. Then observe the colour at different times of day, in both grey and sunny weather, in natural and artificial light. If you like the colour under all these conditions, you’ve found the right shade for you!
The colour pigments used by Benjamin Moore
Did you know that Benjamin Moore produces its paint colours from their own exclusive resins (binders) and colorants? This enables the company to offer you high-quality products with long-lasting, vibrant colours.
Speaking of changing colours, Benjamin Moore’s Colour Stories® line offers 240 bold shades whose appearance varies, depending on the light, to reveal subtle nuances. Dare to try them?
Don’t hesitate to consult our in-store experts for advice on choosing your paint colours!
