get samples from the store or by little bottles(leftovers use for crafts) paint on wall and see what it looks light, home depot has these

if little light then a bright or light color is good
lamps will also determine what it look like also
so see what the colors look light in the evening

If I remember reading correctly, rooms with little natural light require more saturated hues, otherwise the walls will look a dingy off-white. Is that correct? Would I be better off going a shade or two darker than I really want, in order for the color to register?

That's correct. A dimly lit room will always be a dimly lit room. Painting a pastel, light color won't change that fact. The pastel, light color will more than likely look dingy in that quality of light. Rooms that get limited amounts and quality of natural light are the worse candidates for any flavor of white paint color

The key to choosing any paint color is to partner nuance with inherent light. Nuance of a color means - at the same time - considering the light/dark property of the color AND how vivid/dulled it appears in the room.

It is generally best to err on the side of more saturated than grayed or toned paint colors for dimly lit rooms. Because in order to see color you have to have light - can't have one without the other. So if the quality of light is a litle short, not very robust and full, you need to partner that light with a paint color that is robust and full in some way -- like one that is more saturated or maybe one that is mixed full specrum.

Doesn't necesarily mean it has to be darker - if you nail partnering the right nuance with the inherent light, you can use whatever value (value is light/dark) you want. Once you get much past a mid-tone, however, then it becomes a different color strategy. Because at that point of choosing to use darker colors, you're playing into the dim quality of light and pairing it with a similarly low-key quality paint color -- instead of coloring against the dimness, you're going with it.

ooo that is very interesting - thanks funcolors

Thanks for your help, funcolors.

If I could go back in time, I'd buy a home that gets more sunlight! I have this same problem with several of my rooms.

I also need help with choosing a paint color. I need to paint my family room a neutral color. It's a bright room with lots of natural light. It has natural wood trim that comes off kinda yellow/orange. One wall is all brick that has my fireplace within it. I have cherry tables that come off kinda warm, coppery. The sofa is taupe with pinky/grey undertones. Need to find a wall color that goes with everything including new curtains that are a brownish wine color.