Tips on how to sample paint colors
Advices
Build confidence in the paint color you'll ultimately choose by sampling color choices at home.
Benjamin Moore offers a range of paint samples so you can eliminate the stress of wrong choices, and instead - focus on the transformative power that a fresh coat of color brings to your home. Choose the paint sampling option that works for you.
Benjamin Moore Color Samples
Display Chips: In-Store & Readily Available
Available for free from your local Benjamin Moore store, Display Chips are how most homeowners get started on their color search.
Tips for Using Display Chips
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Pull and play Cut them, fold them, leave them on your walls…use Display Chips to narrow down which color family you’ll eventually choose.
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Going darker? Lighter? Display Chips are great for seeing different color values, as they are typically organized by gradations of color.
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Stack them up Layering and observing helps you compare nuances in warm vs. cool colors and undertones.
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Graduate Once you narrow down a few favorites, move to Paint Color Samples and/or Color Swatches.
While Display Chips may be Benjamin Moore’s smallest color swatches, they remain a vital starting point for narrowing down color.
Paint Color Samples: Brush Them On
Paint Color Samples are pint-sized cans of paint in the color of your choice. Details include:
- Each 235ml can covers approximately 1m X 1m areas.
- Comes in an eggshell finish.
- Available for purchase online or at your local store.
Tips for Using Paint Color Samples There are two ways you can use a Paint Color Sample:
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Brush directly on your wall: This is most effective if your wall is white or a light neutral - the new color won’t compete against your existing one.
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Brush on a white foam core board: This approach lets you easily move color samples around the room throughout the day to see how the color appears in different lighting.
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For exteriors: When testing color outside, use the white foam core board approach, as Paint Color Samples are formulated for interior use only.
Whichever method you choose, brush on two coats to see the most accurate color depiction.
And remember to live with it - observe your painted wall samples over time and during different times of the day. Don’t rush your decision!
MORE COLOR SAMPLING TIPS
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Get the Right Angle
Don’t physically look down on Display Chips or Color Swatches - hold them up against the wall. Ceilings? Same concept - look up for the best color representation.
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Add a White Border
Place your Display Chip or Color Swatch against a white piece of paper to make sure the existing color doesn’t influence how your sample color appears.
The Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio™ App
Try out colors virtually with the free Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio™ app.
Select paint colors and apply them to photos on your phone, see colors in real time with the Video Visualizer, browse interactive fan decks, and more!
Fan Decks: Take Color Collections Home
A fan deck lets you peruse hundreds of Benjamin Moore paint colors from the comfort of your home. In fact, each Benjamin Moore fan deck gives you convenient access to a world-class Benjamin Moore Color Collection, including Affinity®, Benjamin Moore Classics®, Historical, Color Preview®, Off White Collection and more.
You can have fan decks shipped to your home.
Need more inspiration? Download a color brochure, sample our best-selling colors and Color a Room in any one of our 3,500+ paint colors. Check out our article on How to Choose Interior Paint for additional help.