Using wet samples to choose the perfect paint color for your home.

So, you’ve narrowed down your search for that “just right” color for your home to a few candidates. Now what? How do you select the final color with confidence?

Many paint stores not only offer advice, but also wet samples. We at Pro Paint Inc. offer samples of the colors you choose in quart sizes for only $6.99. This allows you to paint a small section of the specific color you’re considering onto a wall in your home.  Or, if you aren’t ready to paint this weekend, find a large piece of cardboard to paint so you don’t have a big square of paint on your wall until you actually get around to painting.

It’s key to paint two coats and let it dry for at least two hours—that way you’ll get a true color sample (one coat would be too light, and paint changes in appearance from when it’s wet to when it’s dry). I like to paint both sides of a corner so I have the sample color on two walls and against the floor. Then wait a day or so to see how the color changes in various lighting situations. See how the color looks in morning light, afternoon sunshine and artificial lighting at night. You want to make sure that you like the color throughout the day and that it works for that space with different light sources.  And if you decided to paint a piece of cardboard or other item you can put it up to different walls and see how the light hits that color from different directions as well.

Wet sampling also gives you an opportunity to see how your top paint choices look with your furniture, floor, wall hangings, window coverings and other décor in the room. This knowledge will help you make your final paint selection with confidence.

If you’re ready to spruce up a room in your home and update it with a new color, there are lots of resources available to help you. Before you know it, you’ll have a new look and a new appreciation for a space in your home.