Let’s talk about some common paint colour names mistakes to avoid when choosing paint colours for your home. Granted, choosing the perfect paint colour for your home can be pretty intimidating. There are hundreds of shades and hues to choose from all those paint companies, making it easy to make mistakes that can leave you with a room that might not look at all like what you had hoped for.

Let’s have a look at these three paint colour mistakes I see being made all the time, that you might be making, and I’ll teach you how to avoid them.

#1 Paint Colour Names Mistakes To Avoid - Same Name Game

Confusion happens easily enough because different paint companies often use the very same paint colour name, or nearly the same names for entirely different paint colours. For example, “Sea Salt” by Benjamin Moore CSP-95, is a brown greige colour. Sherwin Williams “Sea Salt” SW6204, is a muted green with blue undertones. Two entirely different colours sharing the same name.

Trust me, there is nothing worse than a paint job gone wrong because of a mix up with the same name colour but a different manufacturer. Misunderstandings can and do happen between homeowners, painters and even the paint store employees if you don’t get this right.

Look at these two samples of “Sea Salt” below. Point made.

Sea Salt samples of both Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore — “Sea salt” samples from two different paint companies

Follow These Steps To Avoid This Mistake

Specify The Brand - Always tell your painter or whoever is purchasing your paint for you, what the specific brand of paint will be. Two brands with the same name can be two entirely different interpretations of that colour.
Include the Colour Number - The manufacturer will have an identification number for each paint colour. For example, instead of saying you want “Sea Salt” you should say I want Sherwin Williams Sea Salt #SW6204.
Check Swatches - It’s always a good idea to grab some colour swatches and try them in the space as part of your paint colour choice. Always get a large paint sample sheet (I provide these as part of my consultations) or grab a sample pot and paint your own white board to try in the room.
My Colour and/or Design Consultation comes with a one-on-one teaching session on what to do with your samples and what to look for when making your final choice.

#2 Paint Colour Names Mistakes To Avoid - Falling Into The Name Trap

I say it all the time because it’s true. Never choose a paint colour by it’s name. There are some pretty great paint colour names out there.

Arsenic - Farrow & Ball
Snugglepuss - Benjamin Moore
Impulsive Purple - Sherwin Williams
Marry Me - Benjamin Moore
Take Five - Sherwin Williams

Paint colour names are marketing tools specifically designed to touch certain emotions or make certain associations. They do not always accurately represent the colour they describe. Avoid falling into the trap, unless of course, you’re setting the stage for the perfect marriage proposal.

HELPS TO Avoid PAINT COLOUR MISTAKES BY NAME

Rely on Visual Aids

Never make that paint purchase without testing the colours in the space first. This is so important in the process. You need to see the colour’s light reflective value, and how it looks in different lighting conditions at different times of the day. You’ll want to check undertones as well.

You need to see the paint colour against your existing decor, or the new decor that is coming into the space. Just because your bestie has that wonderful colour in her room, does not mean it will work in yours.

Isolate your large colour sample sheets against a white backdrop and move it around the room in different lighting for several days to be sure you’re loving it.

Manage Your Interior Paint Colour Expectations

Clear your mind of what you think a colour should look like based on its name.

Here’s an example. Sherwin Williams “Site White” is not really white at all, is it? This clearly has a blue-grey undertone.

Seek Professional Advice

Consult a design professional for their trained eye and insights into colour compatibility. You know when it’s not quite right, but it’s not easy knowing what the correct, alternative suggestion or compatible choice might be. We’re here to move you forward with confidence in choosing paint colours and all of your decor needs for a beautiful end result.

#3 Paint Colour Names Mistakes To Avoid - Trusting Paint Colour Equivalents

Some paint companies offer colour equivalents. Sometimes these equivalents will have subtle differences and others will be far from it. I know this first hand from my time working at Sherwin Williams as their in-store colour consultant.

Here’s an example of a recommended equivalent from two different manufacturers. They’re in a similar range of colour, but you can see the difference. It’s critical to check your paint with samples in your space before making your choice.

To be honest my best advice on equivalents, if at all possible, just say “no”.

DO Paint Colour Matching instead

Paint colours are created by paint companies using distinct pigments and formulas for their own paint products. Colour matching one companies colour to another companies product is done all the time. This is a very common practice that usually turns out very close, however, it’s not always accurate.

Consider that “not always” point and don’t assume the paint colours will be identical. If you don’t manage it you can easily end up with a botched paint job.

Choosing The Right Paint - Can Check It

You’re finally picking up your new paint. That’s exciting! Your local paint supplier is not the company of the colour you’ve chosen. Now what?

Now you take your sample swatch to the store and ask for the computerized paint colour match in the product and sheen you’re after. The technology can help generate the closest match across the different brands.

I highly recommend that before you leave the paint store, have them open the can and put a dot onto your colour chip or sample sheet to see that it’s the right colour. Let it dry to get the true read of the colour. Most companies have a blow dryer under the counter to speed up that wait time.

Tweaking it now, and not when you get home and are ready to start painting, makes life a lot less frustrating.

True confession here from your favourite decorator. I recently picked up my own paint without checking the colour at the store. I opened the can later that evening to put on the first coat and realized the colour was off. That meant waiting until morning to drive back into town - I’m a bit of a country bumpkin - to the paint store for a colour correction. It happens to the best of us!

To sum it up, let’s quickly review these paint colour names mistakes to avoid when choosing the right paint colour for your next project. It involves more than just a name or a quick glance at a paint colour swatch. Remember to specify the brand, the paint colour name, and the paint colour number.

Don’t let that paint colour’s name influence an emotional response, and be careful to verify recommended colour equivalents or avoid them altogether. Instead get an accurate computerized paint colour match to ensure your home is painted in the shade you really want.

Remember that choosing a paint colour is creative and personal. It’s also a point of overwhelm for many of you. Taking the time to prepare your space for a painting job, living in a mess until it’s complete and then putting everything back together, only to realize the paint colour is wrong is a heartbreaking experience.

I’ve done my fair share of colour corrections in my time. Getting a trained eye on your project at the beginning will help you avoid that heartbreak, save you costly mistakes and move you forward in confidence.

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