What to Expect During an Interior Design Color Consultation
Choosing paint colors should be fun, but most people tell me it’s one of the most overwhelming parts of designing a home. There are endless options, undertones you don’t even realize exist until it’s too late, and the constant worry: What if I pick the wrong one?
That’s where a color consultation comes in. It’s one of my favorite services because it takes all the guesswork out of the process — and lets you feel confident that the colors in your home are working with you, not against you.
Why Trust a Designer for Color?
I’ve walked into more homes than I can count where a “safe” white turned yellow under natural light, or a gray read as blue once it was on the wall. Color is complicated, and the truth is, you can’t always trust what you see on a tiny swatch at the paint store.
As a designer, I’ve tested hundreds of colors in real homes, under real lighting conditions. I know which shades actually hold up and how to balance undertones so they look timeless and fresh, not trendy or flat. That expertise means you’re not wasting money (or weekends) repainting.
Why It Matters
Color sets the entire mood of your home. It can make a room feel larger or smaller, calmer or more energized, modern or traditional. When you get it right, the difference is huge — not just in how your home looks, but in how you feel in it.
Interior Design Paint Consultation in California
How a Color Consultation Works
Every consultation starts with me coming to your home (or virtually, if needed) and walking through the spaces you want to paint. Together, we look at:
Lighting: natural light vs. artificial, and how it changes throughout the day.
Existing Finishes: your flooring, countertops, cabinetry, and furniture all influence what a color looks like.
Your Style + Goals: do you want bright and airy, cozy and warm, sleek and modern?
From there, I’ll pull curated swatches and show you a short list of colors that actually work for your home. You’ll get recommendations for walls, trim, ceilings, or cabinetry if needed. And yes — I’ll also tell you exactly how to test them properly before painting.
What You’ll Walk Away With
By the end of the consultation, you’ll have:
A clear, expert-guided plan for your paint colors.
The confidence that your colors will look good in your specific home, not just in photos you’ve seen in other people’s homes.
Peace of mind knowing you’ve avoided the costly trial-and-error process most people go through.
What we’re looking for when it comes to paint colors:
Ever heard of undertones? Undertones are the main reason why it’s important to hire an interior designer via a color consultation. There are undertones in every color, and the trained designer eye can spot them from a mile away. For example, grays are known to have sneaky undertones like blue, red or purple. You may not notice those tones when looking at the sample, but you’ll notice them (likely) when it’s too late. It could be in the afternoon that your dining room that was once gray is now looking purple.
A common misconception
Did you know that white paint colors sometimes have the sneakiest undertones? You may think that “it’s just a white color” and you can just choose something. But in the hundreds of white paint color options out there, there are many MANY colors. And it’s important to pay really close attention to the color you are selecting and how it works in your space. White/off-white might actually be the toughest paint color to choose.
Interior Design Paint Consultation in California
Virtual Option:
Not located in Southern California? I offer virtual paint color consultations all the time. After a short phone call to discuss the style of your home, the lighting, and discuss the direction of the paint colors, I’ll order paper paint samples to your home. These ship overnight, and once you receive them we will do a FaceTime or I will have you send me pictures at different times throughout the day.
Pricing
In-person paint color consultations start at $450 and price is determined based on the number of colors we are selecting, driving distance and how long it will take us to select them in your home. Virtual paint consults start at $350 and depend on number of colors and how long it will take to select the best colors for your space.
An Invitation
If you’ve been staring at swatches and second-guessing yourself, a color consultation is the easiest way to move forward with clarity. Paint can completely transform the way your home feels and selecting the right one is the first step toward a beautiful home.
To book your color consultation, book a quick discovery call so that we can discuss your unique needs. Phone calls not your thing or too busy for one? Send photos and details to dani@dainteriorsco.com, and we can provide a price quote for your space.