How to Choose the Perfect Little Greene Paint Colour (Free 2-Minute Colour Quiz)
- 18 hours ago
- 6 min read
Choosing a paint colour sounds simple… until you’re standing in front of a wall of colour cards wondering:
Will this look too dark?
Will it look green in my room?
Will it work with my flooring?
If you’ve ever bought a paint sample that looked perfect in the shop but completely different at home, you’re not alone.
The truth is, paint colours behave very differently depending on light, room orientation, and surrounding materials.
That’s exactly why we created a simple Little Greene colour quiz to help narrow things down. A starting point.
Try the quiz here 👉
Takes less than 2-minutes
It takes around 2 minutes and recommends colours based on your room, lighting and style preferences.
But before you try the quiz, let’s explore why choosing the right colour is often harder than it looks.
Why Choosing the Right Paint Colour is So Difficult
One of the reasons people struggle to choose colours is that paint never behaves the same in every room.
Several factors affect how a colour looks once it’s on the wall.
1. Natural Light Direction
The direction your room faces changes how colours appear.
North-facing rooms
Cooler light
Colours appear darker
Warm neutrals work well
South-facing rooms
Warmer light
Colours appear brighter
Cool greys and greens often look balanced
East-facing rooms
Bright mornings
Cooler later in the day
West-facing rooms
Softer mornings
Warm evening light
This is one of the biggest reasons people end up repainting.
2. Surrounding Materials
Paint colour always reacts with its surroundings:
flooring
worktops
curtains
furniture
natural light
A colour that looks perfect next to a white card in a shop can look completely different next to oak flooring or stone tiles.
3. Paint Undertones
Most paint colours have hidden undertones.
For example:
A grey might contain:
green undertones
blue undertones
brown undertones
This is why a colour can suddenly appear green or purple once it's on your wall.
The colour itself hasn’t changed — the light and surroundings have revealed its undertone.
The Little Greene Paint Difference
One reason many designers prefer paints from Little Greene is their depth of pigment and heritage colour palette.
Their colours are carefully developed to work beautifully in British homes, particularly in older properties where lighting conditions can be more complex.
Some of the most loved shades include:
Rolling Fog
A soft neutral that sits beautifully between warm grey and stone.
French Grey
A classic grey-green that works particularly well in traditional homes.
Slaked Lime
A timeless off-white that adds warmth without looking yellow.
Olive Colour
A deeper green that works well in kitchens and living rooms.
However, choosing between these colours still depends on your room and lighting.
Which is where the quiz helps.
Instead of staring at hundreds of paint swatches, the quiz asks a few simple questions about:
The room you're decorating
Light direction
Your style preference
The mood you're trying to create
Based on your answers, it suggests colours that should work beautifully in your space.
Take the quiz here 👉
Many people find the result confirms the colour they were already leaning towards — while others discover options they hadn’t considered.
Why Starting With Sample Pots Still Matters
Even after choosing a colour, the best approach is always to test it.
Paint a large sample area on your wall and observe it throughout the day.
Look at it in:
Morning light
Afternoon light
Evening lighting
You’ll often notice subtle shifts in tone.
If you'd like to explore colours and sample pots further, you can browse the full range here:
Browse Little Greene paint colours 👉
Common Mistakes When Choosing Paint Colours
Here are a few mistakes we see regularly when people choose paint colours.
Choosing colours in artificial lighting
Most shops use bright artificial lighting which can distort colour.
Always test colours at home.
Using colours straight from Pinterest
Beautiful images online rarely reflect the actual lighting conditions in your home.
A colour that looks perfect in a magazine could look completely different in your space.
Skipping sample testing
Even the best colour choice should still be tested before committing.
Sample pots are a small investment that can save repainting an entire room.
If you're unsure where to start, the easiest approach is:
Take the colour quiz
Narrow down to 2-3 suggested colours
Order sample pots
Test them in your space
This removes a lot of the guesswork.
Start the quiz here 👉
Share Your Colour Result
One of the most interesting parts of the quiz is seeing which colours people get.
Some of the most common results so far include:
Rolling Fog
French Grey Pale
Slaked Lime
Olive Colour
If you try the quiz, feel free to share your result and see what others are choosing.
Don’t Be Afraid of Bold, Deep Colours
Many people instinctively avoid darker paint colours.
They worry the room will feel smaller, gloomy or overpowering.
In reality, when used correctly, deep colours can create some of the most striking interiors in a home.
Some of the most beautiful spaces we see use rich tones such as deep greens, navy blues, charcoal greys or dark reds. Paints from Little Greene are particularly good for these shades because their high pigment levels create depth and richness rather than flat colour.
The key is understanding how light interacts with darker colours.
How Light Changes Deep Colours
Unlike pale colours, bold shades respond dramatically to changes in light throughout the day.
In natural daylight, a dark green or navy can appear rich and luxurious. In softer evening lighting the same colour becomes cosy and atmospheric.
This is why darker colours often work beautifully in spaces where you want a more intimate or relaxing feel.
For example:
North-facing rooms
These rooms receive cooler light. Darker greens, blues and charcoals can work extremely well here because they embrace the mood rather than trying to fight the lack of light.
South-facing rooms
Rooms with strong sunlight can actually soften deep colours. A bold navy or forest green will appear lighter and more vibrant in this light.
Evening lighting
Under lamps and warm bulbs, darker colours create a sense of depth and warmth that pale colours simply can’t achieve.
Rooms Where Dark Colours Work Beautifully
One of the biggest myths in decorating is that dark colours should only be used in large spaces. In reality, they often work best in smaller rooms.
Living Rooms
Deep greens, navy blues or charcoal tones can create a cosy, relaxing environment perfect for evenings and entertaining.
Pair them with warm lighting, textured fabrics and natural materials for a balanced look.
Dining Rooms
Dining rooms are one of the best places to experiment with bold colours. Rich tones add drama and sophistication and create a more intimate atmosphere for evening meals.
Bedrooms
Dark colours can make bedrooms feel calm and restful. Shades like deep green or smoky blue create a cocooning effect that encourages relaxation.
Hallways
Many people default to white or pale grey in hallways, but darker colours can actually add character and depth to these transitional spaces.
Tips for Using Bold Colours with Confidence
If you’re new to darker colours, here are a few simple ways to start.
Start with one feature wall
Painting one wall in a deep colour can introduce richness without overwhelming the space.
Balance with lighter elements
Contrast darker walls with lighter furnishings, artwork or wood tones. This keeps the room feeling balanced.
Use the right lighting
Warm lighting helps bring out the richness in darker shades and prevents them from feeling flat.
Always test with sample pots
Darker colours can shift significantly depending on the light in your home, so testing samples is especially important.
Let the Room Guide the Colour
Ultimately, the most successful interiors happen when the colour works with the room rather than against it.
Light direction, room size and existing materials all influence which shades will feel balanced and natural.
If you’re unsure which direction to go, the easiest way to narrow down your options is to start with a simple colour recommendation.
Try the Little Greene Colour Quiz and see which shades suit your space 👉
You may even discover that a bold colour is exactly what your room needs.
Final Thoughts
Choosing paint colours doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
Once you understand how light, undertones and room orientation affect colour, the process becomes much easier.
And if you’d like a quick way to narrow down your options:
Take the 2-minute Little Greene Colour Quiz
It might just point you towards the perfect colour for your space.
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