Paint colors can look surpisingly different once they go on the wall.
It's a mistake most home decor enthusiasts have probably made at least once. You buy that wonderful paint based on the carefully chosen color card, you paint the wall, and somehow the color comes out looking completely different than it did on the card. Why does it look so different on the wall? There are a number of factors that can contribute to this.
Light Versus Color
First, paint can often look different on the wall simply because of the room's lighting. Remember that most of us choose our paint colors under the bright fluorescent lights of the paint or home improvement store. Home lighting, on the other hand, is often dimmer and darker, and different kinds of bulbs may add to the impression of a completely different color. To avoid this outcome, bring home your paint cards and look at them in your room's actual lighting. If the color still looks good, try painting a few brush strokes of your chosen paint color on the wall first, to judge under the actual lights of the chosen room, to ensure that you still like what you see. And don't forget to view your room at varying times of day--a wall will look much different in morning light than it does after sundown.
Application
Another common reason your paint on the wall looks different from the paint on the card may be attributed to your technique in applying the paint to the wall. Did you use one or two coats? Did you apply a primer first, or brush on the paint over an existing color? To ensure you get the color you prepared for, your best bet is to use the proper primer before applying your wall paint, and then apply your paint evenly in at least two coats. Otherwise, skimping on paint or brushstrokes can lead to heartache when the colors don't come out as expected.
Perception Versus Reality
You also want to be cautious when working with accent walls, because an accent wall in a complementary color acts upon the surrounding walls in subtle ways, while an accent wall in a more vibrant or opposing color, can actually change the perception of the surrounding wall colors, making them appear darker, lighter, or more intense. Textures or finishes can sometimes also clash unexpectedly with a wall color, or change the way you perceive its color. What if you paint a wall a reddish tone, for instance, in a room with a red-brick fireplace? Those fireplace bricks may actually make your red wall color look darker, lighter, or just plain less red than it actually is.
Wall Color Upkeep
Paint colors can also look different from their sample card counterparts simply because of dust or dirt. If you've been doing a lot of renovation, for instance, dust or residue can settle on the walls and give a dull, grayish tint to your wall color. Be sure to lightly wipe down your walls after any major remodeling or renovation work. Darker paint colors can also fade, and, in general, will do so more quickly than light colors.
Human Error
People make mistakes, especially people who are busy store clerks. When getting your paint, always double-check at the store that the paint color in the can matches the color on your color swatch, and that it is the color you were expecting.
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