How to Test Paint Colors Without Ruining Your Walls (or Your Sanity)

Painting is the fastest way to change up a room. After all, the colors we surround ourselves with can affect our mood, boost our home value, and overall help you get the home of your dreams. If you’re anything like us, you’ll be scrolling through Pinterest painting ideas before you even decide on a general color you want in your house. Once you have that down, though, there is a crucial step before interior painting: testing! Sampling paint colors before painting protects your budgetandyour sanity.

4 Stress-Free Ways to Test Paint Colors

Our painters have had the opportunity to test and paint with hundreds of different hues. In our years of experience, we’ve gathered different methods to test paint colors. Here are our top five methods to test a paint color and finish before applying it to your walls:

1. Peel and Stick Sample Swatches

Most big-brand paint companies, such as Sherwin-Williams now sell 12”x12” adhesive color samples that peel off without residue. You can put them up on your walls, move them around, and repeat with ease! You can even order two or more of each shake and stack them edge to edge for a larger read. 

2. Paint––but in a Strategic Spot

Another option to test paint colors is to actually apply the paint! When you do this, you’ll either want to apply the paint to a small area of the wall (not advisable in all cases), or, you can get inexpensive white foam boards, roll on two coats of paint, and prop the panel against different walls. This will help you get a true sense of color and texture without touching drywall.

3. Use a Digital Paint Visualizer

There are a few different online tools, such as our online paint visualizer, that you can use to see how a paint color will look on your walls. Most of these tools simply need a photo of your space and the software will virtually paint the walls itself! This is a great way to narrow down your choices quickly.  

4. Compare Finishes

Not all paint finishes are made equal. Color reads darker in glossier sheens. So, if you’re torn between matte, satin, or gloss, sample them all! A shift in sheen may provide you with the depth you are looking for. 

Remember the Three-Day Viewing Rule

Our painters always recommend the same three-day viewing rule: if you’re unsure of which color you want on your walls, live with your samples for 72 hours. Check the swatches morning, noon and night. How does it look on a sunny day? A cloudy day? By day three you’ll probably have a good idea of which color sparks joy and which ones need to go. 

3 Common Color Selection Mistakes to Avoid

There are wrong ways to test colors, too. Here are a few things to avoid when proceeding with your color selection process: 

• Testing Just One Room: A color might not look great in a closet, but may sing in the kitchen. 
• Not Testing Enough Space: Anything smaller than a postcard won’t show undertones!
• Not Using Enough Coats: Always apply at least two coats of paint for accurate opacity. 

FAQ: Last-Minute Color Questions Answered

Q: Can I skip paint primer for color samples? 

A: Yes! It is okay to skip primer for areas you are testing. Just remember that the final paint will appear more “true” once paint is applied. 

Q: How big should my paint sample area be? 

A: We recommend aiming for 1×1 ft (30×30 cm) minimum. 

Q: Do I need to seal sample spots before repainting? 

A: A light sanding and one coat of primer will erase sample edges. 

The Color Experts at CertaPro Painters Can Help

Testing paint color isn’t extra work. Look at it as a preventative therapy for your walls! Invest in a few days up front and you’ll save hours of repainting (and gallons of regret) later. 

Ready to pick that perfect hue? Grab a handful of swatches or call our painting experts today!