Trying Out New Paint Colors

About ten years ago we redesigned the kids bathroom. It turned out great, but I hated the new paint color and eventually, we repainted. Here are some tips for what I SHOULD have done.

‍

DO NOT paint directly on the wall.
Painting test swatches on a wall is a no-win scenario. If you’ve already applied a primer coat then you’ll have to sand everything off and repaint to achieve a smooth, professional finish. And if you haven’t applied the primer coat yet, the paint color will look different when it goes on over top.

‍

DO use a sample board.
Your local hardware store will have a giant sample board that you can tape to the wall and use to try out paint colors. You can even buy sample-size drywall if you want to see exactly how the paint will saturate the wall. Be sure to tell the staff why you want a sample board. They’ll help ensure you get all the right supplies.

It may require more effort to set up a sample board, but having a mobile paint sample is useful – even in a small space. You can move your board around to see how the color changes in shadow and in light. You can also compare the colors to your room décor side-by-side to see how everything matches.

‍‍

DO let your sample paint colors dry thoroughly.
The color of the paint will change over time. Don’t decide on a color after a single day. Keep checking back to decide if you look the color when it’s fully dry. (In the case of our kids bathroom, the paint continued to lighten in color over the following week and lost a lot of the initial depth that we loved.)

DO consider lighting
If you plan to install new light fixtures as part of your space renovation, bring in a work light and hang it where the new fixtures will go. This will help you better decide which colors work.

Speaking of different lighting, be sure to check out your sample board at different times of the day. Some paints look very different in natural light compared to artificial light.

‍

DO ask painting professionals when you need help.
If you want your project done right the first time, ask the professionals. With over 35 years’ experience, our experts at Cityscape Painting are passionate about paint. Call us for an estimate today at (952) 469-5901.