In this Blog:
- Why It’s So Easy to Get a Paint Color Wrong
- Test the Actual Paint, Not Just the Chip
- Look at It in Different Light
- Look at What’s Already in the Room
- Give Yourself Time Before You Decide
- FAQ
- Still Deciding? We’re Happy to Talk It Through
- Further reading: Sherwin-Williams: How to Choose Paint Colors
Picking the wrong paint color is one of the most common regrets homeowners have after a project. It is also one of the easiest things to get right, if you know what to actually test before you commit.
Here is how to choose a color you will still like a year from now.
Why It’s So Easy to Get a Paint Color Wrong
A paint swatch is small, flat, and lit by store lighting. Your wall is none of those things.
Color shifts depending on the size of the room, which direction your windows face, your flooring, your trim, and even the rooms connected to it.
That gap between the chip in your hand and the actual wall is where most color regret comes from.
Test the Actual Paint, Not Just the Chip
Buy a sample size in your top choices before you commit to gallons.
Paint it directly on the actual wall, not on poster board propped in the corner. Poster board reflects light differently than your real wall does, so it will not show you the truth.
Let it dry completely before you judge it. Wet paint almost always looks darker and more saturated than it will once it cures.
Look at It in Different Light
The same color can look completely different in the morning, in the middle of the afternoon, and at night under a lamp.
We go deeper on this specific piece in our post on why natural light matters when choosing paint colors, worth a look if light is what’s tripping you up.
Live with your samples for at least a few days, and check them at more than one time of day before you decide.
Look at What’s Already in the Room
Your paint color does not exist on its own. It has to work with your flooring, trim, cabinetry, and any other finishes that are not changing.
Hold your samples up next to those fixed elements, not just against a blank section of wall.
This matters even more if you are deciding whether to paint your trim a different shade than your walls, since that contrast is one of the more common places a color choice can feel off.
Give Yourself Time Before You Decide
Do not choose a color the same day you pick up your samples.
Look at it in the morning. Look at it at night. Look at it on a cloudy day if you can. A color that feels exciting after a five minute glance can feel like a lot to live with once an entire room is done.
A few extra days of testing costs you nothing compared to repainting a room you don’t end up liking.
FAQ
How many paint samples should I test before deciding?
Two or three top choices is usually enough. Painting more than that on the wall at once tends to make it harder to compare, not easier.
Does paint sheen change how a color looks?
Yes. Glossier sheens reflect more light and can look lighter or more intense than the same color in a flat or matte finish, so test your sample in the sheen you actually plan to use.
Should my trim be a different color than my walls?
It can be, but it is not required. It comes down to the contrast you want and the style of the room. We break this down further here.
How long should I wait before deciding on a color?
At least a few days. That gives you time to see it in different light and decide if you still like it once the initial excitement wears off.
Still Deciding? We’re Happy to Talk It Through
If you’ve narrowed it down and still can’t decide, that is a completely normal place to land.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation, or give us a call at (616) 890-8274. We are happy to help you think it through.
