White reflects light the best of all colors.
Reflectance is the measure of how much light a surface bounces back. Different colors absorb varying amounts of light, and the remaining light is what we perceive as color. Here's a breakdown:
- White: Reflects almost all light that hits it. That's why it appears bright and is commonly used to maximize brightness in rooms.
- Light Colors (Off-white, Pale Gray, Light Yellow): These colors also reflect a significant amount of light, making them good alternatives to pure white if you prefer a softer look. They are generally more reflective than darker hues.
- Dark Colors (Black, Dark Blue, Dark Green): Dark colors absorb most of the light, reflecting very little. Black, in particular, absorbs almost all light, which is why it appears dark.
Essentially, the lighter the color, the more light it reflects. The darker the color, the more light it absorbs. Choosing white or very light shades is the best way to maximize light reflection in a space.
