This Innovative App Helps You Choose the Ideal Paint Color for Your Space

Selecting the perfect paint color is one of the toughest design decisions we face. It's easy to see why—there are countless choices available. Should you opt for a striking dark color like navy, or go for something bright like lime green? Or perhaps a more neutral option like beige or off-white would suit your style?

Although gathering paint swatches, narrowing down the options, and testing small areas of the wall or using peel-and-stick samples can help you get a feel for how the room might look, it’s still difficult to visualize the final effect. The ability to picture how a space will appear once painted, without actually doing the work, would be the perfect solution.

The exciting news is that the brand-new Sherwin-Williams Color Expert app, available for free on both The App Store and Google Play, harnesses the power of advanced AI technology to make your color selection process easier and more accurate.

Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams' Director of Color Marketing, explains, "Homeowners passionate about design and DIY projects often struggle to find the ideal paint color. On average, they consult over 10 sources before settling on one, which shows how daunting the process can be. This groundbreaking technology will help them make confident choices quickly, removing the usual stress from the experience!"

But is it really effective? We decided to test out the app ourselves to see if it truly lives up to the promise.

The Color Recommendation Tool

If you're not familiar with AI or haven't used it before, there's no need to worry. The Sherwin-Williams Color Expert is incredibly user-friendly. Simply take or upload a photo of your space, and within seconds, it provides a personalized color palette, ranging from light to dark shades, based on the existing colors in your room. Whether you're seeking the perfect cream to complement your brown sofa or looking for a hue to enhance the moldings in a room with pink wallpaper, this app is the perfect tool for the job.

Once the app suggests your colors, you can swipe through to see how each one looks in your room and even experiment with complementary shades within the same color family.

Choose Your Own Color

If you already have a specific paint color in mind, you can work the other way around. The app offers access to 1,000 of Sherwin-Williams' colors, allowing you to try any shade you like in your room. You can also explore colors by family, such as purples or reds, or browse curated collections, including the Sherwin-Williams Top 50 Colors, the Historic Collection, and branded options like Pottery Barn and West Elm.

It's important to remember that while the photos aren't perfect just yet, they provide a great starting point. Don’t expect a lifelike simulation of your living room with lavender walls. However, this app is an excellent tool for choosing the right paint color and testing it within your space.

From AI to IRL 

Once you've selected a color that piques your interest, you can order a paint chip for free or a peel-and-stick sample. This is a smart choice once you've narrowed down your options to a few favorites.

If you still need further guidance, you can schedule a free virtual consultation with one of Sherwin-Williams’ Color Experts, either over the phone, via text, or through video. While AI is a great tool, there's truly nothing like the insight of a real person.

Helpful Tips

It's essential to remember that the app detects every color present in the image. So, if there’s anything out of the ordinary in the scene, like shoes left by the door or a child's toy scattered across the living room, make sure to remove it for the best results.

Be sure to open the curtains or blinds to allow as much natural light into the room as you can, as this will help you achieve the most accurate results.

Finally, don't forget to check your phone settings. Sherwin-Williams recommends disabling Night Shift, True Tone, and Color Filters to ensure the best experience.