Hi, I'm painting the interior walls of our dark house. Want to brighten it up a bit. The walls are currently a dull greyish white (or pale grey) that leans toward green. Will a bright neutral white paint like Dulux's white polar quarter make the interior noticably brighter than a warm white? Or is it better to go with a less bright warm white, like Dulux's antique white USA?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
If you get smart light bulbs that let you chance the hue and colour of the light then it doesn't matter so much because you can change how the rooms look with an app on your phone, to a degree anyway. Recommend LIFX bulbs as you can dim them all the way down to barely visible, unlike Philips Hue.
Brighter whites will give a small area the illusion that it's larger, as darker colours give the opposite.
Then living in Melbourne, you want warmer whites living in a colder climate.
I don't know much about paint, but just painted my toilet walls in yellow, They said the paint base had to be yellow to make the colour, Yellow base isn't very popular, so it cost me $60 for 2 liters and coverage not too good.
Ask the paint shop about the bases because that can make a big difference on the price, so I've been told.
You can buy sample pots to paint a few areas in your house to see the effect during the day and night.
My old walls were also kinda dull greyish white due to age. In my recent reno, i opted for Dulux Vivid White which is like pure bright white and it gives a high contrast to my dark floorboard. I wouldnt have opted for a warm white due to my floor. It also depends on what else you have around you. Honestly, a bright white makes everything look ultra fresh and an illusion of space. Maybe it is time for that change.
You should consider room orientation when selecting paint colours and the amount of direct sunlight depending upon size of windows/doors.
Independent paint store person recommended Lexicon Quarter for darker, south-facing room.
Dulux Whisper White.
Brightens all rooms. Warm enough to not be too stark. Balanced enough to tie together all other whites (fixtures and furniture) without too much of a difference that it is noticeable.
Antique White USA is actually cream once it's on. A bright white is Designer White.
How about Fair Bianca Half?
I have my whole unit painted in Antique USA White with White ceilings. Did that 20 years ago and if and when I decide to refresh it, I will do the same again. Matches any furniture and most floor coverings etc. Easy on the eye, and I am more than happy with it. You can add colour with rugs, furniture etc, and can change furniture, floor coverings etc without having to repaint the house.
I like it too but worried it may be too dark for my dark house.
My house is a bit dinge and I actually avoided white all together. My office is a jewel tone green (is long, narrow and has only a small window at one end), most of the house is Taubman's sesame bun. Bright/warm colour really did help to brighten the house up (despite naysayers!). The window trims and doors are a warm semi-gloss white though (taubmans Bassinet). Floors a mid-dark hybrid plank.
If you are set on white, I would go warm- if you go cool or neutral in a darker house it will feel grey and gloomy and lighting can make it clinical, at least a warmer white will give a more light cozy vibe.
Think about the times light does enter, what colour/quality that light is, use of the rooms, how big/glossy the furniture is etc. Grab sample pots and put dabs in corners and wall centers, and leave them for a week- try and see it in all light conditions (sun, rain, times of day).