At Color Store, Inc., we’ve been helping our neighbors across Iowa and Nebraska select and try out Benjamin Moore’s library of over 3,000 colors with Benjamin Moore paint samples for over 35 years. We know the value of getting a renovation started off on the right foot, and that’s why we’re breaking down how and why your next painting project should start off with a selection of paint samples.

Why a Physical Paint Sample Is Best

While scrolling through digital paint chips online from the comfort of your home is easiest, digital doesn’t always cut it. Unless you’re working with a high-end monitor at specific settings, the color profile on your screen most likely doesn’t match the true value of the color. Nuance is lost and depth can be difficult to discern when compared to how a color reacts to light in your space.

The last thing you want is for that eye-catching pricey paint color purchase to clash with your furniture and flooring. A physical paint swatch better accounts for lighting, the sheen of your walls, and even the existing undertones of your room compared to a physical or digital chip or sample card. These conditions can dramatically alter how a color appears.

How to Best Use Paint Swatches

Benjamin Moore paint samples are only as good as how they’re used. Here are our tried-and-true tips for getting the most out of your color swatch:

• Start with Physical Paint Sample Cards or Chips: Physical swatch cards, chips, or gradients can be a great starting point for learning about different colors—but don’t stop there! Once you narrow down your closest options, then try moving on to tester size paint samples for swatching.
• Apply to Large Areas: Don't just dab a tiny bit of paint to your surface. Apply a sample to a section of your wall in areas that receive light from different angles to get a more accurate representation of how the color with act in your space.
• The More The Merrier: Sample multiple colors at once! You’re going to repaint soon, and this will allow you to test your top options at once for convenient comparison.
• View at Different Times of Day: Lighting changes dramatically throughout the day. Observe your samples under natural light, artificial light, and during the evening.
• Consider Your Existing Elements: Look at how the samples interact with your furniture, flooring, and trim.

Deciding on a Finish for Benjamin Moore Paint Samples

You likely already have some idea of the color palette you want to test on your walls, like a versatile greige or a trendy mauve hue. Walking into your local Benjamin Moore paint store with an idea of what sheen will work best in your home can also make the process easier from swatch to finish. Every paint comes in a variety of sheens or opacities. If you have a narrow selection of colors, choose multiple opacities so that you can get a hands-on understanding of the style of paint you’re interested in.

• Matte: Provides a velvety, non-reflective surface. Perfect for hiding imperfections and creating a sophisticated, modern look.
• Eggshell: Slightly more reflective than matte, offering a subtle sheen. Durable and good for high-traffic areas.
• Satin: Offers a noticeable sheen that enhances the beauty of the wall and is more durable than eggshell. Excellent for living rooms and dining rooms.
• Semi-Gloss & Gloss: The most reflective finishes, ideal for trim, doors, and cabinets where durability and easy cleaning are paramount.

If you have any questions, our experienced color consultants can guide you in the right direction. 

Get Started with Our Benjamin Moore Paint Stores near Des Moines, IA and Omaha & Waukee, NE

When you’re ready to go beyond a “digital dollop” and see your dream color in-person, Color Store is here to help. We’re locally owned and operated, happy to service Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas.

Schedule a free color consultation to get started, or visit one of our paint stores in Des Moines, Omaha, or Waukee.