{"id":23710,"date":"2025-06-16T13:39:51","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T17:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/?p=23710"},"modified":"2025-06-29T13:54:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T17:54:17","slug":"how-to-test-paint-colors-without-ruining-walls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/blog\/color-trends-blog\/how-to-test-paint-colors-without-ruining-walls\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Test Paint Colors Without Ruining Your Walls (or Your Sanity)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Painting is the fastest way to change up a room. After all, the colors we surround ourselves with can affect our mood, boost our home value, and overall help you get the home of your dreams. If you\u2019re anything like us, you\u2019ll be scrolling through Pinterest painting ideas before you even decide on a general color you want in your house. Once you have that down, though, there is a crucial step before <\/span>interior painting<\/span><\/a>: testing! Sampling paint colors before painting protects your budget<\/span>and<\/span><\/i>your sanity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4 Stress-Free Ways to Test Paint Colors<\/span><\/h2>\n

Our painters have had the opportunity to test and paint with hundreds of different hues. In our years of experience, we\u2019ve gathered different methods to test paint colors. Here are our top five methods to test a paint color and finish before applying it to your walls:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Peel and Stick Sample Swatches<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most big-brand paint companies, such as <\/span>Sherwin-Williams<\/span><\/a> now sell 12\u201dx12\u201d adhesive color samples that peel off without residue. You can put them up on your walls, move them around, and repeat with ease! You can even order two or more of each shake and stack them edge to edge for a larger read.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Paint\u2013\u2013but in a Strategic Spot<\/span><\/h3>\n

Another option to test paint colors is to actually apply the paint! When you do this, you\u2019ll either want to apply the paint to a small area of the wall (not advisable in all cases), or, you can get inexpensive white foam boards, roll on two coats of paint, and prop the panel against different walls. This will help you get a true sense of color and texture without touching drywall.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Use a Digital Paint Visualizer<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are a few different online tools, such as our <\/span>online paint visualizer<\/span><\/a>, that you can use to see how a paint color will look on your walls. Most of these tools simply need a photo of your space and the software will virtually paint the walls itself! This is a great way to narrow down your choices quickly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Compare Finishes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Not all paint finishes are made equal. Color reads darker in glossier sheens. So, if you\u2019re torn between <\/span>matte, satin, or gloss,<\/span><\/a> sample them all! A shift in sheen may provide you with the depth you are looking for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember the Three-Day Viewing Rule<\/span><\/h3>\n

Our painters always recommend the same three-day viewing rule: if you\u2019re unsure of which color you want on your walls, <\/span>live with your samples for 72 hours<\/b>. Check the swatches morning, noon and night. How does it look on a sunny day? A cloudy day? By day three you\u2019ll probably have a good idea of which color sparks joy and which ones need to go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3 Common Color Selection Mistakes to Avoid<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are wrong ways to test colors, too. Here are a few things to avoid when proceeding with your color selection process:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n