How To Choose The Right Paint Colors For Your Home Using Easy Online Visualizer Tools

You can make choosing a paint palette for your home easier by using these fabulous virtual painting tools that are easily available on the websites of your most popular paint brands.

Are you considering a new paint scheme for your home but are feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the options? We all know how difficult this task can be. Especially for the color challenged, it can be quite intimidating.

However, did you know that most paint companies offer a very helpful tool right on their website to assist you with this daunting task? This handy tool, typically referred to as a Color Visualizer, allows you to see what your chosen paint ideas might look like in your own or a similar type of room. These easily accessible tools may be able to assist you in making a more confident decision. Or make it a little less scary to go for that more daring paint color!

Most of the color visualizers offer the option of uploading a photo of your own room. Or you may choose from one of several sample photos offered. These sample photos are divided into groups by rooms, kitchen, dining room etc. I am definitely not the most technologically advanced person but I found most of these tools are straightforward and relatively easy to use.

I would advise trying this method before you head into the store to choose your samples. Just keep in mind that the actual color will likely look a bit different from what you are seeing on the computer.

Here are my examples of some results you can achieve using visualizer images from some of the more popular paint companies.

Behr ColourSmart Visualizer

The above images are from the Behr ColourSmart tool. Here I chose a bedroom scene from their selection of images then chose a warm yellow and cool blue. I can really see the difference between these two colors and the effects they have on the room. The yellow is much warmer and more cheerful while the blue is more calming.

Overall their tool was easy to use and features two tabs, one for Explore Colors. Where you can search all of their colors and palettes. And the other Visualize Colors, where your image will be found. I recommend that you choose your paint palette first then move on to Visualize Colors.

HGTV Home By Sherwin Williams

The above image is from HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams. This tool had some lovely Photoshop style images to choose from and was very easy and fun to use. However, this is not to be confused with the Color Snap Visualizer found on the actual Sherwin Williams website.

Sherwin Williams Color Snap Visualizer

Above is a living room scene from Sherwin-Williams Color Snap Visualizer.  I found their tool a little hard to find. I eventually found it under Color Selection Tools shown at the bottom.  They also have options for using this on your Ipad or an Android as well as the Web version which I have provided a link for.

This tool wasn’t as clear cut in applying the paint as some of the others but it did have a handy button that you could click to show what the colors would look like at night.  And I do like how it shows the before picture as well.

Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer

The above images are from the Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer. This is another one that is a little hard to find as I had to scroll down to the bottom area and it wasn’t overly obvious. However, this tool was relatively easy to use. Though instead of clicking the areas you want to paint. As was the case with the others. You instead click the labeled boxes above the picture to paint those areas. Took me a minute or two to figure that out.

Kelly Moore My Color Visualizer

Then we have the Kelly Moore My Color Visualizer. This one was definitely not as easy to use as the others. In comparison it was a bit clunky as I actually had to use a brush tool to paint the sections then clean it up with an eraser. I do notice that it is representing the paint in light and shadowed areas. As far as I can tell this above image is the only one available for use. Though you can, as with the others, upload your own image.

It should be noted that most of these programs requested you sign up in order to save your image. For my part, I simply downloaded or exported the image as I have way to many accounts and passwords as it is. Though if you are wanting to save your choices with a particular company you should go ahead and sign up.

Photoshop Client Room Rendering

Then finally for another option in visualizing color we have a complete Photoshop rendering of an actual living room using  a clients chosen paint chip colors.  This allows you to see how the current room colors mesh with your paint choice. And might even encourage you to go a little more bold once you see the final look. I particularly find this helpful to show clients how the ceiling color will look. Too often people are apt to ignore this important aspect of the design scheme.

Tip: While these color visualizers are extremely useful for choosing a basic color direction, you will still want to visit the paint shop to get some paint samples of your chosen colors. Most paint companies offer larger sized paint chip samples which are much more useful than the small chips. I recommend requesting at least 2 of each sample so you can position them in a shadowed and sunnier part of the room to see how the color changes.

Hint: Keep in mind that the natural and manufactured lighting in the room will have a much different effect than can be shown on a computer. Therefore you will likely have to make some adjustments to your chosen color either going a bit warmer of cooler. For this reason it is a good idea to take home a wide variety of samples from your chosen color theme.

What do you think? Have you ever used this tool for your own design projects? Do you think it would be helpful or just a hassle to try to figure out yet more new technology? Let me know in the comments below.

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