Have you ever bought paint only for it to look different on your wall? Paint products come in various shades, and these can be extremely confusing. Sometimes, what you see on the swatches or product packaging may differ slightly from the actual paint colour. Thus, it's common to want a certain shade of white only for it to turn out differently after application. Therefore, as you shop, here are four steps to help you find the right paint shade for your project.

Test the paint on a wall

One mistake most people make is using swatches or chart to choose their shades. These options won't provide the correct shade of the product. Looking at the paint's packaging won't either. The only way to be sure is by testing the paint on an actual wall. Get a sample from the store and paint it on your wall. Is the colour what you envisioned? If not, keep trying until you find the right shade.

Follow the right painting procedure

The painting process includes using a primer and applying two coats of paint on a wall. When testing, don't hurriedly apply one coat. Use the right procedure. Prep the wall to remove old paint and debris. Use a primer before applying the first coat. Once the coat dries, go over the wall with the second coat of paint. Primers usually make a colour look darker than it is. If you don't like the results, go for a lighter shade.

Check colour under different conditions

When choosing a paint colour for your home, it's important to learn how it appears in different conditions. Does the room get adequate natural light? How does the paint look in natural and artificial lighting? Does the colour make the room look brighter or darker? To assess all these, test each paint product on the specific walls to be painted. Paint a large section of each wall so you can clearly see the final product.

Check the paint finish

As you test paint shades, don't forget the finish. Paint finishes include matte, high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin and many more. Satin and glossy finishes reflect light and make a room look bigger and brighter than it is. They are also easy to clean and maintain. Matte finishes are visually appealing, but they are hard to clean. As a result, they are suitable for low-traffic areas of the home. Have these things in mind when choosing the final product.

There's nothing worse than investing in quality paint only for you to get the colour or finish wrong. Have these things in mind when testing to ensure you find the right product for your project.

For more information, reach out to a paint store that offers products like Haymes trade paint.