Wall colour matters. A projector casts light on its display surface, and such surface colour determines the image’s brightness by indicating the amount of light reflected and absorbed.
For instance, a white wall would reflect more light than all the rest, so pictures on this wall would appear bright while often lacking contrast. A grey wall absorbs light, improving the black level and contrast while reducing the brightness. The wall colour you choose depends upon your projector’s brightness, the room’s light, and the image quality you want.
Best Wall Colors for Projectors
White and grey are the most commonly used wall colours for projection purposes. Both have pros and cons related to your specific projection setup.
1. White Walls – Best for Bright Rooms
A white wall is the most popular choice to project on, mainly because it reflects the most light and thus provides the brightest and most vivid images. However, white walls also reflect ambient room light, which can affect contrast and make dark scenes appear washed out.
When to Choose a White Wall:
- If your projector is less than 3,000 lumens (lower brightness), most commonly mini projectors like YG300, which is relatively low in lumens and the HY300 smart projector, which has good brightness but not as bright as the standard projectors.
- If you use the projector in a room with ambient light that cannot be fully darkened.
- If you want high brightness and are willing to sacrifice some contrast.
2. Gray Walls – Best for Dark Rooms and High Contrast
Grey walls absorb more light than white walls, which helps increase contrast and makes blacker areas within the image appear richer—this is especially useful when watching movies with many dark scenes. The downside is that grey will absorb some brightness from your projector, meaning it should work bright enough to compensate for it.
When to Choose a Gray Wall:
- If your projector is 3,000 lumens or higher (higher brightness).
- If you use the projector in a dark or dimly lit room with no ambient light.
- If you want better black levels and improved contrast for movies and gaming.
Choosing the Right Wall Color – A Factsheet
Not all white or gray walls allow projection in the same way or to the same effect. The exact shade of that wall will be a deal-breaker when it comes to picture quality.
- Pure White (High Reflectivity) is most suitable for business presentations or classrooms where brightness outweighs deep contrast.
- Off-White or Light Gray – A middle-ground choice where brightness and contrast achieve a harmonious balance.
- Medium to Dark Gray – Ideal for home theatres and setups used for movies, gaming, and presentations.
- Black – Not recommended for projection. Black absorbs almost all light, reducing brightness and making images nearly invisible.
Other Factors Affecting Projection Quality
1. Smooth vs. Textured Walls
Textured walls for projecting videos and images often lead to uneven quality, resulting in poor and distorted images and shadows. You may need to sand your wall to achieve an even surface, or consider painting it with projector screen paint, which helps fill in some imperfections.
2. Projector Screen Paint (Alternative to Normal Paint)
Projector screen paint is an alternative to conventional paint. This option is for those who do not want to buy a separate projector screen; it enables better-projected images because its reflective properties are better than ordinary paints. The paints come in variations of white and grey, depending on your setup’s requirements.
Final Recommendation: Which Color for Your Wall?
| Your Setup | Best Wall Color |
|---|---|
| Low-brightness projector (under 3,000 lumens) | White |
| High-brightness projector (over 3,000 lumens) | Gray |
| Bright room with lots of light | White |
| Dark home theater setup | Dark Gray |
| Mixed-use setup (movies, gaming, presentations) | Light Gray |
If you decide not to install a projector screen, light grey or off-white paint is the most suitable choice for most home setups. A moderate colour in this particular shade gives sufficient balance to contrast and brightness so that your projected image appears clear and brilliant yet avoids excessive glare. If your projector is bright and you want that cinema experience, medium grey will provide the black level and colour depth.