Most people don’t think about paint undertones until it’s too late. They pick a colour, paint the wall, and then wonder why it looks weird next to the floor or why it feels off in the light. It happens all the time.
Paint undertones are the subtle colours hidden beneath the main colour. They’re not something you notice right away, but they completely change how a colour looks in a space. White isn’t just white. Gray isn’t just gray. Every colour you see on a paint chip has a base. That base has an undertone. That undertone can either work with the room, or fight it.
Let’s say you paint your walls a shade of white. It looked clean in the store. But now, at home, it feels yellowish or pinkish or even greenish. That’s the undertone showing up in your lighting, next to your furniture, next to your trim. It doesn’t mean the paint is bad. It just means the undertone doesn’t match the space.
Knowing how to read undertones changes everything. And once you get the hang of it, choosing paint becomes a lot less frustrating.
What Are Paint Undertones?
Paint undertones are the secondary colours that show through once the paint is dry. Every colour is made from a mix. Even the so-called “neutrals” have hints of something else in them. That hint? That’s the undertone.
There are two basic types of undertones: warm and cool.
Warm undertones include red, orange, and yellow. Cool undertones are blue, green, and purple. These influence how the paint will behave once it’s on your wall and under your light fixtures.
You could have a beige that leans pink or a gray that leans green. That’s why not all grays feel the same. Some feel crisp and modern, others feel muddy or soft. It all depends on the mix behind the main colour.
This is why swatches and test patches matter. You can’t pick a colour in isolation. It needs to live in the room for a bit before you know how it’s going to act with your house painting job.
Why Paint Undertones Can Make or Break a Room
Undertones affect mood, light, and how everything else in the room looks. One undertone mismatch, and suddenly your new paint clashes with your couch or throws off the trim colour.
Paint undertones should support what’s already in the room. Floors, countertops, tile, and furniture all have their own undertones. If you ignore them, the space won’t feel right.
A soft gray wall with blue undertones might look great in one room and completely wrong in another, especially if there’s warm wood flooring or taupe furniture involved. If the undertones don’t match, the colours fight each other. If they do match, the room feels calm and cohesive.
It’s not about picking the “right” colour. It’s about picking the right undertone.
Most Popular Undertones Right Now
Some undertones trend harder than others. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a big move toward warmer whites, soft greiges, and earthy neutrals. These tend to feel more inviting, especially in natural light.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a good example. It’s a warm white with soft, creamy undertones. People love it because it’s not stark, not yellow, and not gray. It sits in this sweet spot that works with a lot of materials -wood, brass, stone, black trim. If you search “SW Alabaster undertones,” you’ll see how much people dissect it. That’s because undertones make a huge difference in how it behaves.
Alabaster works best in homes that already lean warm. Think hardwood floors, natural light, tan leather, or creamy countertops. Pair it with cool grays or stark whites, and it can look a little off. But in the right setting, it looks soft and classic.
Other popular undertones include grays with green or violet bases, and whites with a drop of beige. People often ask for “white paint with gray undertones” when they want a cooler, more modern vibe without going full-on gray.
How to Choose the Right Paint Undertone
Start with what you can’t change. Look at the floors, cabinets, and big pieces of furniture. What colours do you see in those? Do they lean warm or cool? That’ll tell you what direction you need to go with your paint.
Next, get a few swatches that match your general idea. If you want white, grab three with different undertones, one warm, one neutral, and one cool. Tape them to the wall. Check them in daylight. Check them at night. Look at them next to your trim and floor.
You’ll start to see the differences, even if they’re subtle. One will probably feel better than the rest.
If it still feels confusing, a colour consultant can help. We work with undertones every day. We know which colours play nice together, and which ones will surprise you and not in a fun way.
Common Undertone Mistakes
One of the biggest mistakes is assuming all whites are the same. They’re not. Some read yellow, some go gray, some are dead neutral. If your white feels “off,” check the undertone.
Another mistake? Picking a paint based on how it looks in someone else’s house. Their light, their floors, their furniture, it’s all different. What looks great there might look totally different in your space.
Don’t forget the lighting. Undertones change depending on the light. Natural light will pull out different tones than artificial light. North-facing rooms often make colours look cooler. South-facing rooms make them look warmer.
Last thing – don’t rely on tiny swatches. Paint at least a two-foot square on the wall so you need to see the colour in action.
Final Thoughts on Paint Undertones
Paint undertones aren’t extra credit. They’re foundational. When you understand them, everything else about colour starts to make sense. Picking paint becomes less about guessing and more about matching.
If you’re planning a refresh, take a minute to figure out what undertones you’re working with. It might be the reason your last colour didn’t feel right. Or the reason your new one finally does.
At Encore Painting, we look at more than just the topcoat. We look at what’s underneath because that’s what shapes the whole look.
Need help figuring out undertones for your home? Reach out. We can walk through the space and recommend colours that don’t just look good in theory – they work in real life.