This project came from repainting a living room in Seattle, Washington. With the weather and limited natural light, paint choice mattered more than I expected.
Before photo – darker walls and uneven paint.
I initially picked a darker shade, thinking it would add warmth. Once it went on the wall, the room felt smaller and gloomier, especially on cloudy days. I ended up repainting with a lighter neutral after living with it for a week.
During renovation – repainting and test patches.
Switching to a washable, low-sheen paint helped reflect more light. I still missed a small spot behind a bookshelf, which I didn’t notice until the furniture was back in place.
After photo – brighter, repainted living room.
If you’re renovating in Seattle, test paint colors in different lighting before committing. Natural light changes everything, and what looks good in the store might not work at home.
Honest Tip
Living with a test color for a few days can save you from repainting twice.