How to Identify Your Wall Paint Color

Determining the exact paint color on your walls can be essential for touch-ups, repainting, or interior design projects. This guide will help you not only match the existing wall color but also give you tips for communicating with paint suppliers.

Visual Inspection

Start with a simple visual inspection in good lighting. Colors can look different under natural light compared to artificial light, so examine your wall at different times of the day. This basic observation will give you a rough idea of whether the color tone is warm or cool, and what its base color might be.

Using a Paint Color App

Several smartphone apps are available that can help identify wall paint colors. These apps allow you to take a picture of the paint, and they will provide suggestions from various paint manufacturers matching the color. Brands like Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Benjamin Moore have their own apps, which can be very useful.

Paint Swatches and Samples

Purchase a selection of paint swatches that look similar to your wall color and compare them under various lighting conditions. Once you narrow it down, you can buy a small sample to paint a patch on the wall to see how well it matches. Make sure the patch is fully dry before making any decisions, as wet paint can look different.

Consult With Professionals

If you're struggling to find a perfect match, consider consulting with a professional. Bring a chip of the paint (you can lightly sand a small area and lift off some of the paint with a putty knife) to a paint store. Professionals have color matching technology that can provide a very close match to the existing paint on your walls.

Understanding Undertones

Identifying the undertone of the paint can be as crucial as the color itself. Undertones can be cool (blue or green), warm (red, orange, or yellow), or neutral. A mismatch in undertone can result in a color that seems off even if the hue matches perfectly under a certain light. Consider asking a design professional if you're unsure about the undertones.

Conclusion

Matching the existing wall color can be a meticulous task, but with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve great results. Visual inspection, the use of technology, and professional help are all viable paths to ensure the continuity of your wall color. Whether you're doing minor touch-ups or a significant repaint, these steps can guide you to a successful color match.