Choosing the right paint color can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. My secret weapon? Learning how to make paint swatches! Plus, keep reading for a few of my go-to tips for painting your home.
When it comes to painting a room, choosing the perfect paint color can often feel daunting. Nobody wants to go through the hassle of painting only to decide later they don’t like the color! But don’t let the pressure of getting it right on the first try keep you from painting at all.
The good news is that there’s a way to make choosing a color easier. My pro tip: make DIY paint swatches!
Why Make Paint Swatches?
You might be wondering why any of this is necessary. Why can’t you just use the swatch from the store? And that’s a great question!
When painting your own swatches, you’ll able to see the paint at a much larger scale. The paper swatches have also been printed, so the finish can read different to the eye.
Aside from the obvious of saving you from having to repaint a room, making your own swatches has a fair amount of other positives too!
PROS
- You’ll get a better sense of how the color feels in your space
- You won’t have to paint over anything (great if you’re working with moody colors)
- You can move the color around, wall to wall
- You can take the color shopping when sourcing items for a room
- You can use the leftover sample paint for touch ups
Even though making your own swatches might add a bit more time and overall cost to your project, in the end it’s well worth the investment.
How to Make Paint Swatches
Making your own paint swatches is easy! All you need to get started is:
- Paint samples (usually around $5-$6)
- Brushes
- Thick art paper, I like to use this one
If you’re considering a specific color, I suggest playing around with saturation levels and undertones when choosing your samples. You can do this by scaling up and down on the paint swatch and moving left and right on the sample wall.
While you could use printer paper, those options will most likely curl once the paint is dry. Using paper intended to be painted will be easier to use.
Paint your swatches, edge to edge on the paper. This way when your swatch is on the wall, you can see what it looks like next to your trim and the other colors in the room. Let dry overnight before using.
Don’t forget to write the paint name on your paint swatch!
Bonus Color Tip: Avoid making any choices in the hardware store! The lighting will never match the lighting in your home and the colors will read differently.
Take all swatches home to get the best idea of how the color will be in your space before ordering paint samples.
[These were my pink paint swatches from our entryway makeover!]
5 Tips for Painting Any Room
Now that you have the perfect paint picked out, it’s time to add some color to your home! Follow these quick tips for a great finish:
- Take the time to prep. This means using good quality tape to protect any areas you don’t want paint to be (I love Frog Tape). Prepping also means patching + sanding any holes and cleaning your walls to make sure they’re ready for paint.
- Quality does (unfortunately) matter. As much as I’d like to tell you that painting can be very affordable, the truth is you will get better results with higher quality supplies. A $1 brush is great for making swatches, but the last thing you want when painting a room is to have to dig out bristles from the paint. Invest in a good brush and a good roller.
- Try reusable supplies. Cheap plastic drop cloths can be temping, but the truth is that they never stay in place. A cloth drop cloth can be used again and again throughout a lifetime. I also recently came across the Repaint Tray and am happy to not have to keep tossing cheap paint liners with every project.
- Paint on a dry day! Rain or humidity will lengthen the amount of dry time your paint needs. Since most paint needs two coats, you’re better off waiting for a nice day to paint.
- In between coats, place your brushes in a plastic bag. This will prevent them from drying out!
So that’s how to make your own paint swatches! While they might take a bit more time, going slower when it comes to painting and decorating will really allow you to focus on what you like and what makes you happy. It will also give you better results in the end, and what’s not to love about that?!
Let me know if you have any questions when it comes to choosing the right paint color for your home!
For more home decor tips, check out my book Colorful Living!