Q: Will the color I choose appear lighter or darker than it does on the paper color swatch?
A: The basic answer is neither. If mixed properly, the paint color applied to a surface should remain true to the color swatch. However, there are environmental and psychological factors that play into changing what is “true” to “how something appears”. Check out what can affect your paint color below and contact us today for more information on how we can give your home the look you want!
Choose Colors Based on Room Lighting
You may be wondering why does lighting effect paint colors? The type of light and quantity of light — natural light, incandescent, florescent, halogen, and LED lighting — all will change the way a color appears in a room. Some lighting will cast yellow tones, while others will cast blue tones. Choosing a color in the room’s lighting is key in color selection.
The types of paint finishes you choose also has an effect on the color.
• Flat has a chalky appearance in finish, absorbs light, and can make a color look slightly lighter.
• Semi-gloss/gloss will make a color look darker. The sheen will reflect the light, causing the color to be darker.
• Matte or eggshell usually the most true to color when considering finish. It neither reflects nor absorbs the light. It does not have the chalky appearance of a flat nor the sheen of a semi-gloss.
• Caption has the same color different sheen.
Psychological:
Our eyes can play tricks on us. The scientific word for this is metamerism. Metamerism is a psychophysical phenomenon in which colors look different under differing circ*mstances. When selecting paint colors, we automatically compare a color to those that it is next to on a color chart. Looking at a color individually either by paint sampling or large single swatches will give a more true impression of a color and it’s value.
We also psychologically compare a color to what the wall is currently. Hold a paint chip up against a red or yellow wall, and the color will automatically change to your eye; yet another effect of metamorphism. Looking at a color against a white background, or against your trim color, will give you the truest representation of your color selection.
• Below Caption: Sherwin Williams Sea Salt, and how it relates to the other colors on the paint swatch chart.
• Below Caption: SW Sea Salt alone.
How A Color Consultant Can Help
Deciding how to choose the right paint color can feel a little daunting. Turn to your local Philadelphia area trusted expert color consultants at Nolan Painting. Our Color Consultants have been expertly trained to select compatible colors for your home that match your style. You won’t have to wonder if the paint color will match the swatch when it is applied. Contact us today and let us ensure you get the right interior paint color for your home.
FAQs
The answer is: if the paint is mixed properly, the color should remain true to the color swatch when applied to a surface. However, there are a few environmental and psychological factors that can affect the actual color and the color's appearance. Environmental factors include: Light.
When you choose paint How do you choose the color? ›
Consider Room Size
Lighter colors can make a small space feel more open. Dark colors can make surfaces appear closer, giving vast rooms a more intimate feel. Bright, cool whites can make a space feel larger and more open while warmer shades can make a space feel intimate and cozy.
How are the colors on a paint swatch related? ›
On a paint strip, all of the colors are variations of the same formula. They share the same undertones but have different intensities. The very bottom color will give you the best idea of the undertone and color family. Be cautious of comparing two swatches next to one another.
What is the difference between a paint sample and a swatch? ›
Colour Swatches: Tape Them Up
If you don't want to paint, a Colour Swatch is a great alternative to Paint Colour Samples. A quick and easy way to view paint colour, Colour Swatches are… Paper samples that are larger than Display Chips.
Are color swatches accurate? ›
A paint chip viewed in the aisle of your local paint store can't convey how it will look on all four walls at various times of the day. The same rule applies for a color you have seen used in another home. The exact same paint can look drastically different when used in different settings.
Does paint look lighter or darker than the sample? ›
The answer is: if the paint is mixed properly, the color should remain true to the color swatch when applied to a surface. However, there are a few environmental and psychological factors that can affect the actual color and the color's appearance. Environmental factors include: Light.
Does paint look darker or lighter? ›
Does Paint Dry Darker or Lighter? Paints typically dry darker, particularly oil, acrylic, and latex paints. However, that doesn't mean it will look different than what's on the paint swatch. If you mix the paint properly, it should look the same as the color you picked out once it dries.
How big of a paint swatch do you need to color match? ›
You'll need a chip that's at least one-inch square for the best results. At the paint store, staff will use their spectrophotometer to analyze the chip and match it to their brand's closest color.
Why does my paint look different than the sample? ›
Science helps to explain why colors seen at a paint store or on a paint chip can look so different at home. The size of a color sample, the lighting in which you view it, and the colors of other walls and objects nearby all have an effect, Fairchild said. “The two big issues are lighting and context,” he said.
What do the numbers mean on paint swatches? ›
The number represents where that color falls within the hue. Snow Shadow Blue's 50 means that it is in the middle of the Blue Green hue. A 00 would mean that the color is closest to the Green hue, and a 99 would mean that it is closest to the Blue hue. The numbers fall between 0 and 99.
Sample paint was created to test a color on a wall… that's it. So it doesn't have any of the bonding agent that normal paint has to make it durable and to bond to the wall.
Can I use Sherwin Williams sample paint? ›
Peel & stick samples are easily removable so that you can reposition them anywhere and observe the color in different areas and lighting. That's what makes them so effective at helping to identify your ideal paint color. Peel & stick samples will not harm your wall or paint in any way.
What color paint to brighten a room? ›
Cooler paint colours help walls to recede, making the room feel more spacious and light. Go for pale shades of grey and blue for maximum lightening effect.
Do you paint samples on paper or wall? ›
Don't Paint the Walls
Instead, paint your testers onto large pieces of card or paper so they act as paint sample cards.
Are color swatches free Home Depot? ›
You can find Behr and Glidden paint samples from Home Depot in-store or online in 8-ounce sizes. Free Behr and Glidden liquid paint samples are not available, but small color swatches as loose cards are free. For professional painters and designers, color fans displaying thousands of colors are available for purchase.
Why does my paint look darker? ›
' If you choose to use a single coat of paint to speed up the painting process or save some money, the chances are your paint shade won't look the same as you'd hoped, but the same also goes for too many coats. Using three or more coats of paint will probably make your shade look darker than expected.
How to determine paint color on a wall? ›
Peel the painted drywall paper from the wall while trying not to damage the drywall itself. Once you get your sample, take it to your local paint store or a big-box retailer like The Home Depot or Lowe's, and they will match the color using a spectrophotometer.
How do I find the right paint color to match my wall? ›
You can use a craft knife to very gently cut through just the paper layer of the drywall. Choose an obscure area of your wall and cut out a square shape around 4 x 4 inches and take it to your paint store. They should be able to color-match it and tell you what the finish of the paint is.
How do you choose paint colors that flow from room to room? ›
You don't have to commit to one color throughout, even in a common area. “When you have rooms that connect, and you want to create a nice flow, choose a color that is a few shades lighter or darker within the same color family and tones,” Banbury says. “It is easier on the eyes when you transition from room to room.”
