Choosing the perfect paint color for your space can be a stressful task, especially when you want to make sure it looks perfect on your wall before going all in on your painting project and committing to a color. While paint colors aren’t permanent and can be changed, choosing the wrong paint color is disappointing, creates a lot more work, and can be costly if you paint the entire wall before deciding you don’t love the color. If you’ve ever wondered just how to test paint colors without painting the wall entirely, we’ve got you covered with a few tried and true tips from our professional painters to help you choose the best colors for your home and test them like a pro.
How to Test Paint Colors Before Painting
Before you commit to a paint color, you definitely want to test it first to see if you love the color and if it harmonizes with your space. There are a few different ways you can test paint colors before painting so you can get a good idea of the true color before you break out your paintbrush and roller.
Use Larger Paint Samples
One of the most common ways to test paint colors without painting the wall is to use paint swatches and hang them on the wall you want to paint to test the color in your space. However, these swatches are often too small and have too little surface area to really see the true paint color and its undertones.
Instead of using these small paint swatch samples, create a larger paint sample to see the most authentic color. To do this, get a small, sample-sized jar of paint and a piece of 8.5 x 11 (or larger!) poster board from your paint store. Paint two coats of paint on the poster board, let it dry, and hold it against the wall to see how the color looks and harmonizes in your space.
If your wall is currently painted with a color that is a bit distracting, you can surround the sample with a white sheet to eliminate distraction and get a better idea of what the color will look like on the wall. Hold the poster board sample up in different areas of the room to see how different lighting impacts the color.
If your paint store has them, you can also purchase peel-and-stick paint samples, which are often larger than typical paint swatches. You can stick these right on your wall to test them out before committing to a color. These peel-and-stick paint samples are easy to remove, so you don’t have to worry about them damaging your wall.
Utilize Color-Matching Apps
Another great option for testing paint colors without painting the wall is to utilize color-matching apps on your phone. These apps allow you to see how paint colors look in different lighting. The Color Snap app is one of our favorite color-matching tools for testing paint colors like a pro.
Oftentimes, paint stores offer color-matching apps or other virtual painting tools on their websites. These tools allow you to upload a photo of your space and test different paint colors to see how they will look on your walls. Some tools even have features that allow you to change the color of the trim and ceiling so you can see the complete look of the room… Joanna Gaines style!
Paint the Sample Directly on the Wall in Various Areas
Painting a 1 foot x 1 foot sample of paint directly on the wall in various areas of the room is an effective way to test paint colors without painting the entire wall. This works well because walls have their own unique texture, which is much different than a piece of cardboard that you may sample colors on.
Be sure to use two coats of paint when you test the color and paint a few samples in different areas of the room to see how it looks in different lighting. Always test your paint samples during the daytime hours to see how it looks with natural light.
If you are in between different colors, leave about a 1-foot space in between them to get the best comparison.
Overall, there are many effective ways to test paint colors without painting the wall. Whether you choose to use large paint samples, virtual color-matching tools, or paint samples on the wall, just make sure you take the time to test the color in different lights and in various areas of your space for the most authentic representation of the color.
With these tips and tricks, you can have fun experimenting with different colors and find the perfect shade for your home. If you need help choosing the perfect color for your space, check out this blog post, where we walk you through this step-by-step.
Have you found the perfect color for your space but need help bringing it to life in your home? We’d love to work with you to bring your vision to life!
Book a free consultation with our team of professional painters today!
