Selecting a paint color can be a paralyzing task: with seemingly millions shades of white alone, how can one possibly decide? Paint shades convey multitudes: colors can be energizing or evocative, cozy or cutesy. And in the world of interiors, paint colors are more than just a backdrop—they can be a statement, a mood-setter, or a signature. So, we decided to sit down with Joa Studholme, color curator and creator of some of the most storied Farrow & Ball shades in history (Dead Salmon, anyone?) and create the ultimate guide to selecting paint colors for your home.

The good news: “There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to decorating,” Studholme says. “Luckily, we all gravitate to different styles, live in different light conditions and like different colors—the world would be a much duller place if this were not the case.” However, Studholme notes, it’s wise to bear these three key elements in mind when decorating: the architectural elements of the room, the light, and your own personal style.

Below, we get to the heart of all the questions you might have about choosing paint colors for your home.

How to connect the color palette with your home

Every room is different, and choice of color should be influenced by the particular conditions of the space: how the color functions, the room’s architecture, and where exactly the color is used. Most people want to create a flow through their home: “[Flow] produces an unchallenging environment, where you can drift from room to room without being jolted by the use of color,” Studholme says. This can be achieved in a number of ways, whether you want a pared-down, simple feel or a fantastic riot of color.

The simplest way, Studholme suggests, is to use one group of neutrals or a tone on tone graduation of the same color, such as Pigeon, Blue Gray, Muzzle and Cromarty from Farrow & Ball, for example. This color drenching will result in a totally harmonious look—but it’s always best to use the stronger shades in the darker areas and the lightest in the light filled rooms, Studholme warns. If you want to use strong colors, it’s best to work floor by floor, taking into account which rooms you can see from the same vantage point in the hall. “If the colors used in these rooms have the same intensity, then they will sit sympathetically together,” Studholme explains. “And of course one trim color and/or ceiling color throughout the house does wonders for creating a flow!”

Dark vs. light—and when to use which

“It is always tempting to turn to light colors for small, dark spaces, but this generally results in a dull, visually unappetizing room,” Studholme warns. Although a strong color might seem counterintuitive, the results can be wonderfully theatrical and much more exciting than any attempt to create light by painting a room white. Conversely, large, bright rooms are best celebrated with lighter tones, which then lead to glimpses of intriguing darker colors in smaller adjacent rooms.

On calming colors and statement colors

Calming colors tend to be warm—“they feel like they are giving you a hug,” Studholme says. Blush and plaster pinks like Scallop and Setting Plaster from Farrow & Ball are huge favorites for creating the ultimate in tranquil spaces. The same applies to colors that have a strong connection with nature. When subtle blue Cromarty or its green equivalent Eddy are painted in rooms, “it literally makes your shoulders drop,” she sighs. Studholme’s favorite statement colors right now are strong but fairly muted: Duster and Marmelo. “Both are rich and earthy without being overwhelming; despite being bold, they have a quietness which sits particularly well in the homes of 2025.”

Color’s effect on ambiance and mood

Post pandemic, when so many of us are spending more time at home, it makes sense to use lighter colors in the rooms we use during the day and stronger colors to retreat to at night. In this way, Studholme says, “we celebrate natural light and distinguish our working day from our relaxing evenings. We naturally feel more active in fresh, lighter colored rooms and more cozy in intimate, darker spaces.”

Natural light, artificial light, and everything in between

In terms of discerning how the natural light falls, it’s simple, Studholme says: “This is just a case of standing in the space at different times of day and looking at how the light falls on the walls.” Make note of where the sun is hitting and at what time, and come back to visit a few times to check to ensure it feels the same each time.