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Since most stores won't let you return paint, it's important to get the color right the first time. (They can sometimes remix it to make it lighter or darker.) Some tips to save you time and money:
Don't go paint shopping empty handed. Bring a few items in your favorite colors, photos that inspired you, fabric swatches, a favorite blanket; anything to help guide your selection.
Consider lighting. Unless you live in a windowless warehouse under industrial fluorescent lights, the color you see on that two-inch paint chip will look at least somewhat different at home.
You wouldn't choose a new hair color based on a single strand, so forget taping an itty-bitty paint chip to a wall and trying to imagine it covering the room. Some stores now offer a genius alternative to paint chips: pint-size paint samples. Buy one for each shade you're considering. Paint separate pieces of white poster board with each color option. Hang them on the wall and observe during different times of the day to get an accurate read: what looks dreamy in daylight can turn dingy once the sun goes down.
Try custom color. Some stores can mix a custom color to match a piece of fabric. Check with your local paint retailer to find out exactly what they can do for you.
Consider sheen and texture.Matte paint and textured finishes absorb light, so the color may appear a bit darker than it would in a semi-gloss or smooth finish. Ask your retailer about the best paint for your project (walls, trim, furniture, etc.)
It may seem like just an extra step, but priming the walls first can save you from having to paint multiple coats later. If you're painting over another color (especially a darker one), a coat of primer is necessary to prevent the old color from showing through. Rich colors, like red, may also require a tinted base coat to achieve the right shade. |
