Time to paint your house? Whether exterior or interior, choosing the right colors is typically a challenge. Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue! There are paint color apps that make your job much easier. These helpful apps allow you to “paint” your wall virtually or match a paint color to a photo. The best part? They’re free, and available for download on iTunes and Google Play for iOS and Android devices, respectively.
Here is The Paint Manager’s selection of the top paint apps!
Color Connect by Valspar – The app (iOS) allows you to explore Valspar paint colors available at Lowe’s, ACE or independent retailers. The paint calculator helps you estimate how much paint you’ll need for your project. You can upload photos and get advice from a color consultant via live video, audio or e-mail. The app also provides how-to videos to help get your project started.
Drawbacks: You can’t save your paint colors, and there’s no search function, making navigation difficult.
ColorSmart by Behr Mobile – The Behr paint app (Android, iOS) comes with an explore-color function, and it allows you to search by name, color family, or number. With the help of the color-match function, you can either take a picture or choose one from your gallery, and the color is then matched by the app with an existing Behr color.
You might get different color-match results for the same color sample; hence, you should be careful with paint selection. With the preview function, the app allows you to virtually paint your room by clicking on a color and applying it on the wall you want to paint. The app also allows you to save your projects, palettes, colors, and paint calculations.
Drawback: Doesn’t allow you to personalize your settings.
Paint My Place – It is the only app that is not associated with a major paint company; therefore, you can explore three brands, namely Benjamin Moore, Dulux and Farrow & Ball.
With this app, you can upload an existing photo or take a new picture of the space you are planning to paint, then select the color and brand and paint it virtually.
It is slightly difficult to paint here because it allows you to either use your finger to spread the color or use the fill function, both of which can become unwieldy for some.
Drawbacks: Ads asking you to upgrade to the premium version; available only on iOS.
By upgrading to the premium version, you can work with multiple colors, get color suggestions, and save and share your work.
Color Capture by Benjamin Moore – This app (Android and iOS) allows you to match the colors in any photo and shows you the four closest shades. You can save, tweet, or post to your Facebook page the color you find.
Drawbacks: Colors appear different on screen than “in person” – a universal issue with virtual paint samples.
Color Snap by Sherwin-Williams – You can create color palettes with Color Snap (Android and iOS) and match colors to a photo on your mobile phone. The color-match feature of the app automatically picks out colors in the photo and matches and creates a palette with those colors. Also, the app allows you to click on a certain color to match, and you get a selection of complementary colors. You can view each color in a room setting.
Paint My Wall – Simple and easy-to-use (iOS). Just upload your image to test, or use the app’s image to explore various color options. Use your finger or Smart Fill to paint the wall.
Drawback: Numerous ads.
Paint Tester – You can use this app (Android and iOS) to find a color quickly, which you can immediately purchase. From the tool options, you can choose your paint color and test it on your surface. You can then select the cart button to buy the color from the retailer directly. Buy Paint Tester Pro for $2.99 to eliminate ads and gain access to improved color matching.
Home Harmony – It’s impossible to imagine how a certain paint color or flooring type would look in your own home just from those tiny store samples. Home Harmony (Android and iOS) is a home improvement visualizer that will let you test paints and flooring in your home with a single touch.
Drawback: Rather slow.
ColorPic by Prestige Paints – The app (Android and iOS) shows you before and after images, which gives you a good idea how the result will look in your home. The entire color collection can be viewed from the main menu, and ordered directly from Amazon. The built-in room calculator allows you to order the exact number of cans you need for your project.
SwatchDeck – If you want to store paint colors for your home, then SwatchDeck is the perfect app (iOS). Browse their collection of popular brands and add the color you love to the Swatch palette. Also, the app is easy to use and visually appealing. Unlock the premium version for $2.99 and get unlimited project areas.
Popular paint colors
Our team at The Paint Manager stays up-to-date with color and paint trends. We invite you to read our blog post – “4 Popular Paint Colors for Today’s Home Seller” – but don’t be put off by the title. They’re great suggestions even if you plan to enjoy your happy home for years to come!
Décor Aid lists its 10 Best Interior Paint Colors Trending for 2019. On-trend colors that should be of special interest to Central Florida homeowners include Hazelnut, Mist (a blend of muted pastel blue and green with a gray and lilac undertone) and Soft Clay.
Feeling inspired now that you know the ease of selecting paint colors? The Paint Manager has over two decades of experience in providing high-quality, trusted full-service residential painting for homes of every size and age. Our team can provide décor ideas, does all the demanding prep work and performs skilled, meticulous application to ensure beautiful results. Contact us for an estimate.