Are You Losing Sleep Over Choosing A Paint Color?

I get it … your painter is hounding you for your color choices and your head is about to explode because you have 23 tiny gray paint chips taped all over various walls.

That is not how to choose a paint color.

Slapping it up on the middle of the wall and staring at it for a few days isn’t right either!

I’ve seen this strategy played out over and over again with very little success in choosing the right color.

At one of my recent paint consultations the homeowner had 15 different shades of gray plastered smack dab in the middle of three different walls.

Sound familiar?

Sooo step 1. Stop! no. more.

What’s wrong with slapping a paint sample or multiple samples up in the middle of a wall?

Because, my friend, paint must be viewed in context next to your fixed elements, such as tile, carpet, countertops, backsplash etc. In other words, a fixed element is anything that is permanent and can’t be moved or that is not being replaced.

Now you’re ready to hold up or tape the tiny paint chip(s) next to those fixed elements to get somewhat of an idea of which color will work. But first, tape them to a white sheet of paper or small poster board.

Why?

Because unless your wall(s) are currently white, you must isolate the proposed color from the current color.

And for the love of color …

NEVER view paint chips horizontally unless you’re painting your floor!! They must be viewed in the manner that the paint will be applied, which most of the time is vertically.

When you’ve narrowed down your choices purchase samples of the paint and a few posterboards.

Why?

Because unless you have gobs of money to throw around on a repaint, those tiny chips, (which have good intentions), can be misleading. They’re only printed color … not the real deal. Who would’ve thunk it?!

Next, paint your colors on posterboard. Two coats please. Once dried, place or tape them next to your fixed elements. How’s the undertone? Does it play nice with your fixed elements? How about the LRV? The what? You know, light reflectance value. Is it too light, too dark, or just right?

Like this!

Perfect? Great! But you’re not done yet!

Move the boards around and look at them during the day and at night, cloudy day, sunny day and on different walls.

Why?

Because color changes under different lighting. Make sure you absolutely love your color no matter what time of day it is or what the lighting is like.

Can you test paint directly on the wall? Stay tuned. We’ll tackle that question next time, friend.

Meanwhile, if you’ve lost your mind, or you have no time and the painters are knocking at your door. I can help!