5 Tips for Sampling Paint Colours

How do you want your living space to look? Getting started may sound like half the battle. To start with, you can read some home décor and architecture magazines for some inspiration. Pinterest and Instagram is also a great source of information and inspiration. You can even create a mood board by putting your thoughts down just so you can get a better picture of what you really want.

Do note that the colour swatch on a mood board looks completely different when you test it directly on the wall. The same paint colour can actually look drastically different when used in different settings. Also, take into account your flooring and furniture for colour cues and what function the room essentially serves. Know the right technique to test paint colours using this guide.

1. Paint the samples on the wall

We often see people test interior wall paint colours on white boards. This is actually not a smart way to test colours because the paint looks different on the boards than it does on the walls. The reason for this is that the texture is different so the paint looks different. And, it doesn’t seem to saturate the boards in the same way. So, make sure to always test your paint on the walls.

The best way to do this is by testing a 1 foot x 1 foot area. However, do keep in mind that the existing colour of the wall will also impact how the samples appear. Against lighter walls, the colours will appear darker while against dark walls, the colours will appear lighter.

Also, if you fancy a particular colour, don’t try just one shade of that colour. It is a good idea to try a few different variations of those colours so that you can pick the perfect one. A colour in the paint store can look completely different compared to the walls of your home, so trying it on the wall is non-skippable.
This exercise will let you understand which colours you don’t fancy and which colours you do.

2. Test on multiple walls

It is a good idea to test the paint on at least two walls- one that is well lit and the other that gets less light. This way you get a good idea of what the paint looks like in the entire room. It is also wise to look at the samples at different times of the day, especially when you tend to spend most time in the room that is getting painted. One shade might look better or worse, depending on the time of the day and the light conditions.

Take into account that the other colours in the room may influence the way the colour looks on the wall e.g. the leaves from the trees or the floor colours can play a role in the way the colour appears.

After you have gone through the effort of putting up your big samples on the walls, give it some time to dry up. Some paint colours look similar when wet and can take on a different look once dried.

So, don’t rush. Grab a cup of coffee, read your favourite book or listen to some music while the paint dries up. Don’t be hasty. Take your time to make the right decision.

3. Always use two coats of paint

When you change the wall colour, you do need two coats of paint. Yes, you read that right. It is necessary for proper saturation. Don’t be lazy. Don’t paint a tiny, 5-inch swatch and expect to achieve the full effect either. You won’t get the desired results if you don’t paint to the scale of the final result. Cover as much area as you reasonably can to decide if the colour is right for you.

Make sure to not skip the second coat of paint even while testing so that there is consistency with the final product.

4. Test with a primer for saturated or bright colours

You should opt for a primer before applying the two coats of paint in case of a saturated or an extremely bright colour. If you have a very dark or saturated paint such as orange, burgundy or navy on the walls, you will need to use a primer first.

5. Choose your floor, stain or carpet colour first

Most people don’t realise that they should be picking the colour for the floors first. This is for several reasons. First, there are several paint colours than there are carpeting options. If you begin with the walls first, you will find that it severely limits you in your flooring, area rug and other decorating options, which you wouldn’t want. Second, it’s better to have the correct flooring in place while you are testing the paint samples. Finally, it is time-saving to do the floors first and paint after or you will need to repaint the base moulding after the floors. In a nutshell, everything pans out smoothly when you do the floors first.

Bonus Tip: You can try Berger’s Virtual Painter which uses augmented reality to see exactly how different colours or a particular colour combination will look in your home, without even touching the paintbrush to your wall. It takes the guesswork completely out, helping you visualise the colours better. Now doesn’t that make your painting job easier?

Once you have done this homework, all you have to do is go ahead and contact the painting experts.
There you have it! The 5 top tips for sampling paint colours to help you decide the best shades for your home walls. Hope you find these tips helpful in getting your painting started on the right foot and making the walls of your home look like a beautiful dream!

Get in touch with experts of Berger Paints India for a memorable home painting experience. You can avail colour consultation for home interiors and exteriors, be it accent walls or interior and exterior wall colour combinations.