How do I find colors that I'll like?

The truth about color is that everyone sees it differently.

You are the one that has to love the color. As a rule of thumb though, if you feel uncertain then you probably haven't found the one that's right for you.

So keep looking at more color swatches. Try asking a friend with good taste what their opinion is. And don't forget to ask your neighbor too (they often tell us what they think while you are at work).

We are in love with the free color swatches that are available at every paint store. Don't be shy. Take as many of the color swatches as you want.

And if you need more options, here's a hint: behind the counter the paint guys have what are called color fans, which have all of the colors in one convenient fan-like contraption. It's helpful because you can see many colors next to each other. It helps you to see that, for example, this red is more yellow or that red is more blue.

If you ask politely, they may let you borrow one of their color fans. Do try to return it, whether or not you buy paint from that store. We also love the paint samples for $5-$10 each, depending on where you buy them. Follow our links to check out any current deals. Confused about how this works? This is where you buy a 2 or 3 oz. jar of paint and try a splotch on your wall. For an accurate test run, do be sure to buy it in the sheen that you intend to apply to that wall (sheen is discussed here).

Most people are not aware that you can have your favorite color matched at the paint store. So they can match almost any color you like. Did you see a color in a magazine and now you can't find a color swatch to match? Not to worry, take the magazine into the paint store and they will match the color by playing with a can of paint until they come up with it.

We only recommend this as a last ditch effort because paint and ink naturally look different. The ink used to make the magazine has less properties to change it's look. This is blah blah that basically means that ink will naturally look different from paint. So our first recommendation is to buy some color samples and put a little paint on the wall. And don't worry, we can paint right over those splotches.

Also, you can pick color swatches from other stores, including Wal-Mart, Lowe's, K-mart, Home Depot, etc. Take your color swatch of choice to a reputable paint store and they will look up in their secret manuals (oh, OK they really don't have secret manuals) how to mix the color. We recommend Sherwin Williams for this service.

Remember that each store has different color options. They can be very different. Not every store carries the Disney line, for example. But in some instances your local reputable paint store can exactly match the swatch from another store by using the codes on the back of the color swatch. This way you get your fabulous color in fabulous quality paint.

It is, in our opinion, best to keep in the same family of colors. Is the color warm or cool? Colors with yellow undertones will seem warmer, while the same color with blue or red undertones will appear cool. (Read about color theory here). The little brochures with examples of which colors go together are an excellent way of making sure that your color choices are in the same family. Highly paid decorators put those brochures together.

And one final opinion. Far too few people choose the bold colors. If you love red or purple or bright blue then you should definitely paint a room that color. Sure, a freshly painted exterior of a home is always nice. But you only get that wow factor when you step out of the norm. Think color! The houses that people talk about are the ones that have faux finished walls or that one gorgeous accent wall in green (yes, green is huge this year). Color is the spice of life! Live a little - paint often!