Selecting a paint color is not for the faint of heart. There are so many challenges and variables that come along with it—lighting, undertones, color families—it’s endless. That’s why today I’ve put together my top tips for selecting the perfect paint color for your next home project.

1. Sample, Sample, Sample: Don’t be afraid to buy samples, whether they are little paint pots or peel-and-stick samples from @samplize. If you go with paint pots, paint the swatches on scrap pieces of wood or drywall (don’t forget to apply primer first!). This will allow you to move the samples around the room and see how the color looks on different walls with different lighting at various times of the day.

2. Sleep On It: Don’t feel rushed to choose a color right away. Observe how the color looks when it’s light out, dark out, cloudy, sunny, rainy, etc. All of these elements affect how the color appears in your space.

3. Don’t Ignore the Undertones of a Color: If these are ignored, the color could clash with other elements in your room.

4. Pay Attention to the RFP Number: This indicates how much light will bounce off the color. It ranges from 0 to 100. Use this as a guide for setting the mood in your room. The lower the number, the less light you will get.

5. Use Online Tools Like Paint Match: If you find a color you like but something isn’t quite right or it’s out of budget, this website will direct you to matching paints and similar colors across different brands.

6. Trust Your Gut and have Fun With It: Remember, it’s just paint; it isn’t permanent. Take a chance and paint the walls. I’m sure you’ll love it, and if not, you can always paint again. It’s the easiest, most inexpensive way to make a big impact in any space.

So, let me know—will you use these tips on your next project?