Finding The Perfect Paint Match For Your Room

Choosing the right paint colour for a room can be tricky, and matching paint colours can be even more challenging. There are several methods to find the right paint match, from using colour wheels and paint chips to cutting out a small sample of the drywall to take to a paint store for colour matching. Light plays a crucial role in how paint colours appear, and natural light changes throughout the day, so it's important to test paint colours at different times of the day and in various lighting conditions. While finding an exact paint match may be difficult, these techniques can help you get as close as possible to your desired shade.

Using paint chips to match colours

Paint chips are a great way to match colours when you don't have the original paint on hand. If you're trying to match the paint on your wall, you can carefully cut out a small, quarter-sized chip from an area of the room that's less visible, like behind an electrical outlet cover or furniture.

Then, bring the paint chip to your local hardware store or paint store, where they can use a colour-matching scanner called a spectrophotometer to find the matching paint. If they go by code, you will get the exact colour the chip was supposed to be. You can also try putting a dot of paint on the chip to confirm the match.

If you're unable to tell the finish of your paint by just looking at it, you can use the paint chip method to figure it out. Paint stores will not only be able to match the colour but also identify the finish.

Before you head to the paint store, make sure you clean the surface to be matched with a damp rag, let it dry, and then proceed with the colour matching.

It's important to note that light determines how paint colour appears, and natural light and artificial lights can affect how the colour looks on your wall. To get a clearer picture, tape the paint chips to your wall and observe how the lighting works with the colour at different times of the day.

Cutting a small sample from the wall

If you are unable to find the name or code of the paint colour you want to match, you can cut a small sample from the wall. This method is especially useful when you want to touch up spots on a wall or paint an entire wall.

Firstly, you should determine where to cut the sample from. It is best to take the chip from a low-visibility spot, such as behind an electrical outlet cover. You should cut a small piece, ideally a one-inch square, from the wall.

Then, take the paint chip to your local paint store or home centre. Smaller hardware paint stores or paint-only stores are preferable because they are more likely to have an "eye-match" person who can help select the correct sheen, which is just as important as the colour. You will need to know the brand and sheen of the paint, and the staff at the store will be able to identify the finish.

It is worth noting that paint matching is not an exact science, and even with the original formula, the results may not be exact. The best option is to get a close match and repaint the entire surface.

Using a colour-matching app

The Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio App is a useful tool for finding paint colours that match your desired hue. The app allows you to access fan decks, match your favourite hues to Benjamin Moore colours, and visualise these colours on different walls and surfaces. You can also browse the Benjamin Moore colour collection, save your favourites, and order colour samples to see how they look in different lighting conditions in your space.

Sherwin-Williams' ColorSnap Visualizer app offers a similar experience, with a database of over 1,700 colours. The app integrates augmented reality (AR) to help you visualise the paint colours in real-time. ColorSnap also allows you to create custom palettes, save colours, and estimate the amount of paint you need by entering the dimensions of the area you plan to paint.

In addition to these apps, there are other colour-matching tools and devices available. For example, the Color Muse app pairs with a colour-matching device that can scan any flat surface and match it to Sherwin-Williams paint colours. This device can also identify the sheen level of the paint.

When using these apps and tools, it's important to consider the lighting conditions in your space, as light can significantly impact the appearance of paint colours. It's recommended to test paint colours in different lighting arrangements and at various times of the day to ensure you're happy with the colour before committing to it.

By utilising colour-matching apps and tools, you can take the guesswork out of choosing the right paint colour and feel confident in your selection.

Considering lighting and sheen

Lighting and sheen are key considerations when choosing a paint colour for a room. The way we perceive colour depends on the light an object absorbs and reflects. For instance, black absorbs all colours, whereas white reflects all colours. The direction of natural light in a room will also influence the appearance of colours. North-facing rooms have cool, bluish light, so bolder colours are more suitable. South-facing rooms receive a lot of high-angle light, which brightens dark colours and makes lighter colours glow. East-facing rooms have warm, yellow light in the morning, which turns blue later in the day, so reds, oranges, and yellows are a good choice. West-facing rooms have beautiful warm evening light, but scant morning light that can cast shadows and dull colours.

The sheen of paint refers to how it reflects light, with some light being absorbed and some reflected. Glossy finishes will reflect light and change the appearance of colours, so it is important to consider the lighting in the room when choosing a sheen. LED and fluorescent lights give off cool, bluish tones, while incandescent or halogen bulbs reflect yellow and golden tones. Windows letting in natural light will also influence the interplay between light and sheen.

There are several types of sheen, including flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Flat sheen has no shine, while matte has a slight sheen and richer colour. Eggshell has a light sheen and is a good choice for rooms with children or pets as it is more durable and easier to clean. Semi-gloss is even more durable and is often used for traditional homes, while modern organic style homes may be better suited to less shine. Satin is a good choice if you want some sheen but are bummed out by semi-gloss. High-gloss sheen is very shiny and hard, making it ideal for cabinets and trim, but too reflective for walls.

When choosing a paint colour, it is important to consider how the room's lighting will affect its appearance. Paint squares of drywall with samples of your chosen colours and move them around the room during the day, evaluating them under different lighting conditions. You can also hang paint chips or swatches on the wall to observe how they look in natural and artificial light. Remember that the amount and angle of sunlight will change throughout the day, so a colour that looks good in the morning may not be the right fit in the evening.

Testing the paint before committing

Testing paint samples on your walls is a great way to see how the colour will look in different lighting conditions and next to your decor. However, it can be messy and time-consuming, as you will need to sand and prime the wall before painting it.

A good alternative is to use sample boards. You can purchase large boards and double-sided tape from your local home improvement store. Paint the boards with at least two coats of your chosen colour and allow them to dry completely. This will give you an accurate representation of the colour. You can then move these boards around the room to see how the colour looks in different lighting conditions and whether it matches your decor.

If you are testing multiple colours, paint them side by side on the board, leaving some space between them. This will make it easier to compare the colours without overwhelming your eyes.

You can also use poster boards or foam boards, which are cheaper and easier to move around. However, keep in mind that the paint may not saturate these boards in the same way it does a wall, so the colour may appear different.

Testing paint colours before committing is crucial to ensuring you don't waste time and money on the wrong colour. By taking the time to test and compare colours, you can be confident in your final choice.

Frequently asked questions