Inspiration can come from anywhere when you’re choosing a paint color for your home. Picking the perfect one sometimes feels like the hardest part. Here are seven tips for picking the right paint for you: First, stick to your favorites. Find colors you already love in your wardrobe or inspirational photos. Use these as guides and follow your style.

Second, use existing furniture and accent pieces as a guide. You can coordinate your walls with these focal pieces. Bold colors that look great on a lamp or a piece of furniture can be overwhelming on a large wall. Instead, choose a quieter shade of that color, or a complimentary color for the wall.

Third, think about your room size. How big do you want the room to feel? Darker colors can make a room feel smaller and more cozy, while lighter shades can make a room feel larger and brighter.

Fourth, keep an eye on nearby walls. Consider the overall color scheme of your home. Shade should flow as you go from space to space, still not sure? A color fan can help pinpoint your existing color for easy comparison in the store.

Fifth, analyze the lighting in the space before you paint. Colors look different under different types of light, so try them out with the appropriate lighting first. Natural daylight shows the truest color, whilst incandescent lighting brings out warm tones and yellows, and fluorescent lighting casts a sharp blue tone.

Sixth, consider the function and mood of the room. Narrow down options by determining the purpose of the room. Want an energized room? Use warm reds and yellows. Use browns and grays to create a more relaxed room. The level of gloss, called sheen, also comes into play. A higher sheen can reflect light and brighten the room, whereas flat finishes give a subtle cozy feel.

Finally, try some samples. The only way you can know how your color will look before painting the entire room is to paint samples. Just paint directly on the wall, or a primed piece of drywall. Move the drywall to different parts of the room to see the effect.