Using paint color strips effectively involves more than just picking a shade you like from the store. Here's how to use them to make the best color decisions for your space:
Steps for Using Paint Color Strips
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Take the Strips Home: The first crucial step is to bring the paint color strips home. Store lighting and in-store atmosphere significantly differ from your home, affecting how colors appear.
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Test on Your Walls: Don't rely on the small strip alone. Brush paint samples directly onto your walls. The reference specifically states, "Take the samples home and brush them on the walls of your room." This is the best method to see how a color looks with your furniture, lighting and decor.
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Paint Broad Sections: The reference advises, "Paint broad sections of the wall at eye level." It's crucial to paint larger areas instead of small dab to see the full impact of the color.
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Eye-Level Placement: Make sure the swatches are placed at eye level. This helps you view the color accurately and understand its overall appearance as you interact with the space.
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Don't Be Shy: "The larger the section the better to evaluate the color, so don't be shy" highlights that you should not hesitate to paint larger swatches for a true representation of the color.
Why This Method is Important
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Accurate Color Representation | Viewing the color in your home's lighting and against your existing furnishings gives you the most accurate color preview. |
| Avoid Costly Mistakes | Testing larger areas avoids the mistake of painting an entire room a color that doesn't meet your expectations. |
| Better Decision Making | Seeing colors on your own walls helps you make a confident and informed decision about the final paint choice. |
| Test in different Light | Observe paint swatches during different times of the day, to see how the color changes with natural and artificial light. |
- Even Dark Shades Can Be Tested You can paint over these test plots even if they are dark shades, and if needed use a primer to prepare the wall for final painting.
Tips for Best Results:
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Multiple Locations: Paint sample sections in different areas of the room, particularly in corners or near windows where the light varies.
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Live With It: Observe the samples for a couple of days to see how the color looks in different lighting and at various times throughout the day.
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Consider Undertones: Pay close attention to the underlying tones within each paint color, as they may become more apparent in larger areas.
By following these steps, you can confidently use paint color strips to select the best colors for your painting project and create the perfect atmosphere in your home.
