One of the quickest, most cost-effective ways to update a room is with a fresh paint job. The challenge, of course, is finding the perfect color. You gather paint samples and even test them out in different light but can’t quite picture that little swatch covering an entire wall. We’re here to help. These five color-matching apps are the best virtual paint apps we’ve found.

If you’re new to this technology, don’t worry. These apps are easy to use and work for both Android and iOS platforms (sorry, Windows phone users). Capabilities vary by app, but at a minimum they allow you to match paint colors to a color from your photo library. They also show you how that color looks on a wall – inside or outside.

ColorSmart by BEHR Mobile App

ColorSmart by BEHR Mobile AppColorSmart by BEHR allows you to preview, match, and coordinate paint colors without ever touching a brush or roller. Browse through BEHR’s Ultra and Premium lines, use the app’s photo match tool, and preview your colors. The app also lets you upload your projects to social media. And, a big plus for many users, you can save your calculations, color choices, and images, a feature many virtual painting apps lack.

http://www.behr.com/consumer/colors/mobile-apps

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Nippon Paint Colour Visualizer for Home Interiors

Nippon Paint Colour Visualizer for Home InteriorsThe Nippon Paint Colour Visualizer app lets you select your favorite Nippon paint color, upload your photo, and start painting. The app allows you to paint around obstacles, and even keeps shadowing and texture so you get a true feel for how the paint will look in your room. You can save and share your projects and the app even recommends color schemes based on your uploaded photo.

http://www.nipponpaint.com.sg/colours/nippon-paint-mobile-app/

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Paint Tester by Luminant Software

Paint Tester by Luminant SoftwareThe Nippon Paint Colour Visualizer app lets you select your favorite Nippon paint color, upload your photo, and start painting. The app allows you to paint around obstacles, and even keeps shadowing and texture so you get a true feel for how the paint will look in your room. You can save and share your projects and the app even recommends color schemes based on your uploaded photo.

http://www.nipponpaint.com.sg/colours/nippon-paint-mobile-app/

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ColorSnap Visualizer

ColorSnap Visualizer

ColorSnap Visualizer from Sherwin-Williams offers a variety of features designed to help you find the perfect color. You can match photos and narrow down your choice with the Kaleidoscope feature, which allows you to zoom in on a particular color. You can add color cards from the Sherwin-Williams store, as well as scan their color numbers. Then, paint one of their sample rooms and see how it looks in day lighting versus night lighting. Finally, use the paint calculator to determine how much paint your project requires.

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/try-on-colors/colorsnap-mobile

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Personal Color Viewer – Color Capture

Color CaptureBenjamin Moore offers DIY painters the Personal Color Viewer. The app allows you to use one of their preloaded rooms or upload your own photo to see how the color looks before you buy gallons of it. You can also explore a variety of color combinations for the perfect décor. Download the app version, “Color Capture” on either Google Play or the App Store

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/try-on-colors/colorsnap-mobile

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Online Paint Visualizer Tools:

Glidden Room Visualizer

glidden

This is one of two sites we found that offer a great visualizer tool in an online format instead of an app. With Room Visualizer, you can either upload your own photo or use one of Glidden’s pre-loaded options, which include interiors and exteriors. Once you choose your room, it’s time to pick your color. You can browse Glidden’s colors, search by name, or match a color scheme using a photo. From there, just paint your room. This tool is incredibly easy to use.

https://www.glidden.com/tools/room-visualizer

 

Valspar Painter

Valspar PainterLike Glidden, Valspar Painter lets you upload your photos or use their library to see how a color looks. The Valspar library also includes exteriors, so you can see how the color looks as a main color or whether it would look better as an accent. And, like the BEHR app, you can save your project. If you’re looking for live advice, the site also connects you with a color consultant. Or, browse through their how-to videos for ideas.

https://www.valsparpaint.com/en/explore-colors/painter/index.html

Virtual Paint Apps Best Practices

These color matching apps offer an easy way to try out colors, but they don’t replace paint swatches entirely. For one thing, you can’t get a true color on your smartphone or tablet. In other words, what it looks like on the screen isn’t necessarily how it would look live and in person. Before you buy multiple gallons of paint, you want to look at the samples.

Finally, look for the best quality paints you can find and afford. This is particularly important for exterior painting, where you want a product that holds up well against the elements. If you live in the Phoenix area, this means paint that can stand strong sun, high temperatures, and wind-driven debris.

If you’re planning your next big painting project, talk to the painting pros at CBP to schedule your free estimate today.