5. Look to the Light
If you're considering changing out your lights, the best time to do it is before you select a paint color—not after. Some of today's more energy-efficient models can cast a grayer tone than incandescent bulbs, as Grech learned when she installed LED pot lights. She had to add a few extras to make the room as bright as it was before, and restore the color to the shade she loved.
As you choose potential paint colors, Grech recommends painting a sample area on the wall and taking a look at it in the morning, afternoon and night, so you can see how the light affects it throughout the day. What's most important is how the color looks when you're likely to use the room the most, she says.
Published 08/19/2013
