How to Sample Paint Colors Without Painting the Wall

Paint has the power to transform any space, and choosing the right colors is vital to achieving the aesthetic you want. 

You can scroll down long pages of options online or rifle through stacks of paint swatches at a store. But to get a clear idea of how each color will actually perform in your home, there’s no substitute for sampling. 

In the past, this meant buying sample cans and painting various colors onto your wall, trim, or cabinets. Not only was this process messy and wasteful, it also meant you had unsightly spots that weren’t going anywhere until you made the commitment and painted the space. 

Happily, those days are gone. Samplize has made choosing paint colors simple with large-format peel-and-stick samples.

Why Peel-and-Stick Samples Are Best

Samplize samples are painted (not printed) with two coats of real paint. This allows for 100% color accuracy, meaning you can truly see how each option will look in various spaces and lighting conditions. 

They can wrap around corners and work on a variety of surfaces, from walls and trim to furniture and cabinetry. The large size of each sample means you get a better idea of how each color looks and feels. And when you’re done, they peel away easily, leaving your space unchanged until you’re ready to paint. 

What’s more, we deliver your samples overnight, so you don’t have to wait to find your perfect color. 

Read on for tips on using this mess-free and stress-free sampling method of sampling paint colors. 

How to Decide Which Colors to Sample

Samplize offers 1000s of colors from leading brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams. So how do you narrow down your search? Start by considering these factors. 

1. Lighting and Room Size

Lighter paint colors will make a room feel brighter and a smaller room feel more spacious. Darker colors help a larger room feel cozier, but do best with ample natural light.

2. Fixed Elements

Consider the parts of the room that won’t be changing, such as flooring, tiles, countertops, cabinets, and furniture. You’ll want potential paint colors to work well with those elements.

3. Flow

Think about how colors will look when glimpsed from hallways or other rooms. Do they transition smoothly? Are the undertones consistent? This is especially important in homes with an open floor plan.

4. Your Desired Mood

Color impacts how a room feels. If you want a calming vibe, consider soft greens, warm whites, and muted blues. For something cozier, you might want a greige or deeper color. For a dramatic effect, look at navy, charcoal, and dark green hues. 

Assembling Your Stack of Samples

Once you’ve thought through the factors above, you’re ready to start exploring your paint color possibilities. 

You can start with Samplize color bundles, where you’ll find a wide range of options organized by color families and themes, from warm whites and bright creams to favorites for bedrooms and living rooms. 

You can browse collections curated by color experts and trusted brands, find tips and inspiration in the Samplize blog, or explore on your own. 

When a color strikes you, just add it to your cart. When you have a good stack of options, complete your order, and your samples will arrive at your door the next day. 

How to Use Your Peel-and-Stick Samples  

Start by holding your samples up to other elements in the space you’re going to paint. See how each color interacts with furniture, curtains, flooring, and artwork. Even if a color doesn’t match those elements, you’ll want the undertones to play well together. 

When you’re ready to apply your samples to a surface, start by testing one on an inconspicuous spot. Once that’s done, feel free to stick all your samples on side by side. 

Seeing the colors in the space, you might already spot some favorites. But take your time, here. First impressions are important, but you should allow at least 24 hours to make this decision. Observe the colors with various lights on and off. Draw the curtains or close the blinds. Look at them in the morning, at noon, in the evening, and after sundown. Light impacts how each color looks, and you’ll want a color that’s pleasing to your eye around the clock. 

After all this, you might have narrowed your options down to a few. You might really like one, but wish it was a little brighter or deeper, or had a slightly different undertone. In this case, go back to Samplize.com and find similar hues that fit those criteria. You can have those samples delivered the next day and repeat the process until you’ve found your perfect color. 

Ready to Begin?

Samplize makes sampling colors into a mess-free and stress-free process. Start your search for your perfect colors here, and design your ideal aesthetic with confidence.