This is a “how I learned from experience” sort of tip. Did you know that most paint companies now sell samples of their paint? These cute little bottles cost between $2-$3 and are a great way to try out a color before you invest in a gallon of paint.
A few months ago I was feeling adventurous, went down to Home Depot, bought two little jars of paint, came home and immediately painted two swatches on my wall.
It was great to see the color on my walls, because I realized I didn’t like the sample on the left, which was the sample I liked better on the card. The problem with this idea is that almost two months later this is what you see when you walk in my house.
Welcome to my home and two yellow splotches on my wall. With soccer season and finishing up school I haven’t had a chance to paint the walls and every day I look at my splotches. I mentioned on Facebook how this bothered me and I got an awesome suggestion. I only wish I would have known this little paint trick two months ago!
Take a large piece of craft or butcher paper
and paint the enter piece the sample color. Hang the butcher paper in your room to test out the paint. Move the butcher paper around the room to see how the color looks in different light. You can leave it hanging for as long as you like, but when company comes you can always take it down! The best part, you don’t have to look at your sample paint splotch for a few months if you don’t have time to paint!
Considering I have two large rolls of butcher paper sitting in my craft closet I’m kicking myself for not thinking of this idea! But, from now on I’m going to paint paper before I paint my walls.
Liz says
Or paint your samples under a already hanging picture if you can! And then cover it back up till your ready to paint.
jennifer p says
Great Idea!
I painted my sample under a picture. Months later when it was time to paint I had forgotten it was there & It scared me when I took the picture down & there was a huge red smere on my wall!
🙂
Karen says
………..and make sure you put the color name on each sample piece. Ask me how I know about this. He He!
Elizabeth says
Great tip! My bedroom needs to be repainted but I get nervous choosing a color just based on the card. For your wall, maybe you can find a poster to tack or tape up until you have a chance to paint? Even a map or an educational chart from your homeschool materials? When I was young my mom “decorated” our school room/office with maps, alphabet charts, etc.
Tabitha Valencic says
Love it! Now I know before we even start looking at paint colors.
Brittney - Our Greener Acres says
Great idea!! I’ve always heard of painting a sample but not on butcher paper. I like how you can move it around to see how it looks in different light. I’ll have to store that one away for future use.
Diana says
Brilliant! My problem was not just the large blue square on my wall, but we ended up NOT wanting to change th color on the section of wall! Now we’ve had to paint match (which isn’t actually quite the same) and will have to paint it again. Grr…….I’ll be doing this next time. 🙂
Lori A. says
Oh my…I wish I had this tip months ago. Yes, months. We have a big green block and a big gold/yellowish block in our living room & front entry way. BIG. I didn’t do little splotches like you. I really wanted to see how it would look. We have the same thing (other colors) around our master bedroom. Our walls are still the blah painters color that were here when we bought our house…so I should just be able to slap some primer over them and it won’t be so bad…someday. 🙂