What inspires you? Color inspiration can come from just about anywhere, whether it is an article of clothing, a picture in a magazine, or something you see in nature. When you have a really specific color in mind, it can be hard to find just the right one in the paint store color cards. Is there a way to get a custom paint to match any color?
Absolutely! Color matching technology has existed for decades, and the options it offers are getting better all the time!
Options for Matching Paint Colors
The classic way to get a custom paint color is to bring a sample of that color to the paint store. This could be a piece of fabric, a magazine picture, or something similar. Most color scanners need the sample to be flat and relatively small. If the paint you want to match is already on a wall or surface, you can even scrape off a flake of paint and bring that in for matching.
A lower-tech method that can also be very effective is to bring a paint color deck into your home, and compare all the hues and shades to the item you want to match. This is a useful method if your color inspiration is on a non-portable or non-scannable surface.
Exciting new options also exist for using your phone to get color matches. For example, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams each offer apps that let you get color matches from any photo on your phone. That means you can take a picture of something inspirational and get a color match, or you can do the same with photos from Instagram and other sources. Check out Benjamin Moore’s Color Capture or Sherwin Williams’ Color Snap in the app store for your device!
Cautions with Color Matching
No matter how exact of a color match you get, it is almost impossible to get seamless touch-up paint to fix a small part of a wall. Even if you are using the exact same can of paint that the wall was originally painted with, a slight difference in sheen or texture will usually show up. Instead, repaint the wall from one corner to the other, so the seams between new and old will not be noticeable.
Also, just because you have the same color as that perfect photo you found online, it does not mean it will always look that way in your home. The size and shape of a room, and the way the lighting changes throughout the days and seasons, can all impact the way a color looks on your walls. These differences are usually subtle, but you should be aware that they can happen.
Consult Your Painting Company
The best way to get fantastic results with your paint color matching is to consult with a professional painter. House painting companies have access to many different color matching methods to get you the best possible custom paint. Also, a house painter can give you expert advice about how the dynamics of your specific rooms will affect the way a paint color appears. Finally, when you work with a local house painter, you are assured the best possible results with the least amount of effort and inconvenience!
Cherry Hill Painting offers interior and exterior painting services to New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia region. Contact us for a free house painting estimate, and find out why so many of your friends and neighbors here in New Jersey love Cherry Hill Painting!