How to Swatch Paint Color Selections
Here is a step-by-step process to assure that you truly see the colors you swatch and whether you like them in the room. Without a proper swatch, you might select a paint color you don’t like and have to repaint a room more than once.
1. Size of paint swatches: minimum size to truly see the color is 2’ x 2’, up to 4’ or 8’ wide depending on the location.
2. Location of paint swatches: generally you will want to swatch in multiple locations to see the color in different lights. You will want to see it at the ceiling line where it will be darkest as well as in the middle of the wall where it will be lightest. At the ceiling line, paint all the way to the ceiling—don’t leave a tiny strip of the existing color.
3. Wrap it around a corner: you also need to see the color reflecting on itself to see how it will look in a room. This will show you the color intensity once the paint color is throughout the room. For example, some colors have a high “glow factor”, bright pastels for example. A light blue, pink, purple, yellow, orange, or green, can really get intense once it’s reflecting on itself throughout the room. Some paint decks, such as Benjamin Moore, give a light reflection index number for each color to give you some idea of this.
4. Overlap the color swatches: if swatching multiple colors, put them next to each other and overlap the edges. Or, if you need to see each color by itself, then leave at least a foot a space between them.
5. Alternate options to painting on the wall: paint 2 large pieces of foamcore, cardboard, mat board, or wood panels, at least 2’ x 2’. Then you can put them together in a corner at various heights to see the color.
6. How to look at swatches: you want a large swatch so you can block out the surrounding colors when you look at it. It’s very important to look at the center of the swatch and avoid the edges. Colors change according to what other colors they’re next to, and sometimes the edges can look odd or have a colored edge. It can be helpful to look through your hands or through a square cut in a piece of paper or cardboard (preferably a gray or tan color) to block out the surrounding colors. Squinting can also be helpful to get a good sense of it. Remember to check the swatches at several times of day. If you will use a room primarily at night, be sure to check them then.
7. Other things to know about swatches: a swatch generally looks about a half shade darker than it will once an entire wall is painted. If you’re having trouble deciding between two colors, it might be a good idea to paint an entire wall, or half of a wall, in each color, going all the way to the edges.
8. If you’re using an intense color, remember that you will be seeing it with furniture and other things in the room. Don’t let the intensity of a wall full of color all by itself scare you!
9. If you’re under construction, and looking at swatches against primer or concrete sub-floor, remember that this makes it more difficult to really see a color as it will be. This is where a large swatch really helps. If you have a sample of your floor color and material, look against that, or place a painting drop cloth on the floor or even a piece of plywood. The grayness and texture of a concrete sub-floor can really pull the life out of a color, or make a very warm colors like golds, yellows, oranges and some browns, look just plain bad!
10. Circumstances and relationships in color are everything!
11. Printed or paper swatches are okay for initial selections, but make sure to use the actual paint for your color finalists for optimal accuracy and to see the color on your wall texture in your lighting.
Here’s to creating your vision!
These are only a few of the considerations to select a paint color you like. To avoid costly mistakes or to schedule a color consultation with Kathryn, contact me by commenting below or by email at contact@artbykd.com, or through my web site, http://www.artbykd.com.
How to Select a Paint Finish
Here is a step-by-step process to determine the best paint finish for your project. With new technology and paint formulations, there is a wide selection of finishes to choose.
1. Paint finishes available: flat, washable flat or matte, flat enamel, eggshell, low sheen or satin (or Pearl in Benjamin Moore), semi gloss, high gloss. Each paint company may have their own names for the finishes and small variations in sheen.
2. Determine the traffic flow and needs of the room: will the walls need to washed? If so how often and how much, how firmly? And, determine your personal preference. These are the two biggest considerations.
3. With new technology, any finish can be washable. The days of flat paint not being washable are long gone. Surfaces don’t need to be in semi-gloss paint to be washed anymore, or to withstand steam or moist rooms, like kitchens and bathrooms. The quality of the paint will affect how washable it is as well. It may still be difficult to wash a very low quality flat paint, while a high quality paint is usually washable in all formulations.
4. Consider your wall texture: sheen in a paint finish will tend to accent wall texture and irregularities. If you have orange peel knockdown texture, which is most common in newer construction, flat or eggshell is best for minimizing that. If you have hand-plastered walls, a flat or eggshell finish will look more authentic and old world. If you have totally smooth walls, the choice is yours.
5. Consider light bounce: sheen will bounce more light around a room. If a room is quite shadowed or has northern light, and you’re using a lighter color, an eggshell or satin finish might brighten up the room more than a flat or matte finish. Personal preference comes in here again: how much light do you like in a room? Do you prefer as bright as possible? Or perhaps no sheen might create more serenity for you? My sister, for example, craves light and prefers semi gloss paint down her dark hallway. In her more light-filled living room and dining room/kitchen, eggshell finish accents enough light for her, while minimizing the wall texture.
6. Consider the color you are using and the mood you want to create: with dark colors, usually a matte/flat finish looks best. There are cases where a shiny dark finish can create high drama. A matte finish, or low sheen finish can accent an antique or old world look, or help create a cozy atmosphere.
7. Trim and cabinets: again, all trim being semi-gloss is an outdated concept. It’s mostly personal preference. Semi or high gloss can accent beautiful woodwork and trim. If trim is irregular or in bad shape, an eggshell or satin finish will help diminish imperfections. In smaller rooms, lower contrast can help it feel bigger and smoother. A closer match in finish between walls and trim might be the better choice.
8. Create consistency and harmony by using the same finishes for walls, ceiling and trim throughout the home or office, or in different sections as it makes sense. If the same finishes don’t work through the entire space, then make a rule for different sections, such as one for the bedrooms and one for the living areas.
9. Remember, with today’s technology, there are no limits to the finish you select. It’s a matter of what you prefer and what looks best to you in your space.
Here’s to creating your vision!
These are only a few of the considerations to select a paint finish you like. Paint finish is closely tied to the color used. To avoid costly mistakes or to schedule a color consultation with Kathryn, please contact me by commenting below, by email at contact@artbykd.com, or through my web site, www.artbykd.com.
–KD
Art Luminous: Living a Color-full Life 