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Choosing the Perfect Paint Color: Tips, Tricks, and Tools (Part 1)

Have you ever painted a room in your house, only to have it turn out to be not quite the right color? Unfortunately, I have done it too many times. My son’s nursery was supposed to be a pale sage green, yet it ended up bright, almost neon. 

Have you ever brought home an excessive number of color cards? Or spent too much money on paint sample after paint sample, only to still not find the color you want? If you only knew how many shades of gray I painted on my master bathroom wall… it’s not fifty, but it feels close! 

four brightly-colored paint samples on the wall: green, red, orange, and blue
Photo by David Pisnoy on Unsplash

Not being able to find the perfect color is disappointing and frustrating. What should be a simple process can defeat you quickly. But don’t despair! I am using my recent experience to help you discover simple tricks, techniques, and tools for finding the right color and shade as quickly and as painlessly as possible. We’ll start by highlighting the Sherwin Williams Virtual Color Consultations tool

Sherwin Williams Color Consult: What Is It?

The global pandemic and stay-at-home orders created the need for companies to improve their strategies for reaching customers. As a result, Sherwin Williams introduced the virtual color consultation. This scheduled appointment occurs “via text, email, phone call, or video chat” and helps their customers find the perfect paint color and shade for any project. Quite honestly, it is brilliant!

How Does It Work?

Customers visit the SW website to request a virtual appointment. Before the scheduled appointment, the color consultant sends you a questionnaire to learn more about your goals. They also ask you to include pictures of your space and promise to spend at least 30 minutes on your project. After this, the consultant provides you with up to six colors recommendations, curated personally for you. Additionally, you can request that up to ten color cards be mailed to you at no charge. If you prefer, you can pick up these color cards in most stores, just be sure to check the Covid restrictions in your area.

beautiful gray bathroom
Photo by Dan Smedley on Unsplash

My Experience

I’ll be honest: I remained skeptical about a virtual color consult. How would it be possible for someone to see my space over a computer screen and give me good advice? Would the consultant care about my project when they are working for free? Would I get generic recommendations, or would they tailor the consultation to my needs? 

Despite my skepticism, I decided to give it a try. Finally finding the perfect gray for my master bath would be worth the effort. I joked earlier about having fifty sample shades of gray on my walls. It wasn’t quite that many, but I definitely had the hardest time trying to find a light version of gray that would match the Downtown Gray of my bedroom. Every gray I tried on my own would pull blue or purple undertones. I was frustrated, to say the least. Armed with doubt, I scheduled a virtual appointment, completed the questionnaire, and received a detailed reply from my color consultant. 

Let me tell you, it was magical! The consultant suggested six variations of gray, providing a thorough explanation for why she thought the colors might work in my space. She made herself available to answer questions about the colors, should I have any. And she even gave several tips for how I should test the colors in my space before buying a paint sample. 

beautiful light gray bathroom
Photo by Chastity Cortijo on Unsplash

The End Result

All of the colors she chose were beautiful, but two of them worked perfectly with the color of my master bedroom (Check out her suggestions for SW Agreeable Gray and Gossamer Veil here).  My frustration diminished because I was no longer shooting arrows in the dark. And now I have a beautiful gray bathroom that coordinates perfectly with my master bedroom.

It should be no surprise that someone with design and color experience took one look at my space and provided good recommendations, yet I am still amazed at just how well the process worked. It was quick; it was helpful; it was easy. And, best of all: it was free. 

More Tips, Tricks, and Tools to Come

If you like this tool, be sure to check back next week for more tips and tricks for finding the perfect paint color.

| | Tips, Painting, interior design, paint colors, choosing a paint color, color consultation, techniques

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