Whether you need to complete touch-ups or repairs in your home, want to extend an existing colour scheme or you’re renovating and you have plans to paint a feature wall that ties in seamlessly with your existing furniture or décor, ensuring you’ve got the perfect colour match can make all the difference when it comes to creating a flawless finish.

Paint matching can be a bit of an art, however, and if it’s not something you’ve done before, you might be wondering how to go about it.

That’s why we’ve put together our ‘Paint Matching 101’ guide, walking you through the various methods of paint matching, pitfalls to look out for and the best places to go to get help choosing the perfect hue.

And, if you need help with the actual painting once you’ve found your perfect match, Ezy Peazy has you covered! Thanks to our extensive network of expert painting taskers up and down the country, enlisting the help of affordable painting services is easier than ever!
 

Different Methods of Paint Matching

Paint, both interior and exterior, benefits from being refreshed about once every 5-10 years. This not only ensures it’s looking fresh but also helps to protect your walls from the elements. Chips, dents and scratches are also par for the course over time – especially if you have children or pets. Whether you’re moving home and need to get your place ready for open homes or you just want to fix up existing damage and get your home back to looking good as new, there’ll likely come a time where you’ll want to repaint your walls.

When it comes to the best way to match paint, there are a few different ways to go about it – and this can depend on whether you’re trying to match an existing paint colour in your home or you’re trying to match a favourite cushion that’s inspired your new feature wall!

Method #1 Paint test pots

Sometimes previous homeowners will leave excess paint behind when they move out, making repainting a breeze as there’s no guesswork when it comes to selecting the right colour. However, if this isn’t your situation and you’re not sure what the existing shade is, testing out a range of samples can be an effective way to find a true match for repainting jobs and touch-ups. Paint test pots can be a lot more reliable than swatches alone, as you’ll get to see how they look on your actual wall, rather than a piece of card.

To do this, you’ll need to purchase a selection of paint tester pots that are similar to the shade you’re wanting to match and bring them home. Once home, you’ll need to prep your wall by lightly sanding a small area to improve the paint’s adhesion (if you’re concerned about your space looking like your child’s school art project, pick a less-frequently trafficked area or corner of your home). Next, apply two coats using a paint brush or roller, allowing each coat to dry completely. Complete this for all your paint samples and then compare the dried test patches to your existing paint colour to determine the best match. Examining the samples under different light conditions (e.g. natural light and overhead artificial lighting) can be helpful in revealing any discrepancies that you might not notice at first glance.
 

Method #2: Digital colour-matching apps

Most paint store branches and hardware stores, such as Bunnings and Mitre 10, have access to advanced colour analysis technology, making finding the perfect hue less time-consuming and a whole lot more accurate. And - even better – many stores offer this service 100% free of charge.

If you’re looking for a true match for an existing paint job, the most effective approach is to take a small chip of paint into the store with you. To obtain your chip, you’ll want to use a painter’s knife or a craft knife to cut away a section of paint. The larger, the better – so to give yourself the best chance of success, try to aim for no smaller than one square inch. Make sure your paint chip is flat, smooth and clean, removing any dirt or dust, before you take it into the store where it’ll be run through a colour computer.

If there’s no exact match, the store will likely be able to mix one up for you using the shades they have on hand.

This approach can also be used when there’s a particular item, like a cushion, that you’re wanting to match the colour of.
 

Paint Matching Pitfalls to Look Out For

While paint matching, there are a few common pitfalls you should look out for. Fading and discolouration, not paying attention to your paint’s undertone or finish and lighting can all get in the way of finding your perfect hue.

Fading and Discolouration

Like many things in our homes, paint fades and becomes discoloured over time. This is particularly true of exterior paint and paint in areas that receive a lot of sunshine. If you’re not sure what the original colour actually looks like, finding a match can be tricky! Luckily, the staff in most paint stores will have the experience to help you select a good match, irrespective of any discolouration.

Keep in mind that this is likely to be more of an issue if you’re touching up existing paint, rather than repainting an entire wall or area, as the touched-up area will be more pigmented than the older paint. However, bear in mind that if your wall paint is severely discoloured, that’s probably a good indication it’s due for a repaint!
 

Differing Finishes and Undertones

There are a number of different paint finishes you can select from, including flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, gloss and high-gloss. Flat is the most matte and gloss is the shiniest.

These finishes give the paint a different look and feel, so it’s important to know the finish of the paint you’re trying to match. If you’re unsure what finish you need to select, bringing a paint chip into a paint or hardware store where there’ll be staff who can assist you can be a good option.

Similarly, the undertone of your paint – e.g. whether it’s cool or warm, can make a big difference, with some paints looking quite different when they’re wet than dry. Undertones are especially important to consider when you’re looking for a shade that compliments your existing décor. For instance, if you have warm-grey furniture, a cool-grey feature wall may look a little odd. 

Lighting

The direction at which light hits your wall, the positioning of the sun, the aspect of your home and the type of lightbulbs you have can all influence the way your paint colour appears to the naked eye.

If you’re testing out different paint shades, leaving them up on your wall throughout the course of the day so you can analyse them under different lighting conditions can help you pick up discrepancies and determine if your chosen shade really is the one for you.

The aspect of your home, for instance, can play a big role. North facing rooms let in softer light which produces a warming effect. This can make dark paints appear darker and light paints seem more subdued. Further, fluorescent lights can give off a blue tint, whilst LED lights can give off a warm tint.

Where Can I Get Help with Paint Matching Near Me?

Lighting, finish, undertones, the age of your paint – there’s certainly a lot to think about when it comes to paint matching. Luckily, in New Zealand we have access to a huge range of excellent (and free!) paint matching services across the North and South Island.

Here are a few we’d recommend if you need help finding a paint shade:

Bunnings

Bunnings boasts an advanced colour matching computer and a paint matching service that “can match the colour of almost any flat, dry sample.” In addition to Bunnings’ colour match service, they also sell a range of different paint brands, giving you lots of options at your fingertips if you’re not sure which brand to go for.  

Dulux

If you’re looking to match a Dulux paint, heading into your local Dulux branch is an ideal option. This is because Dulux guarantees a genuine 100% colour match for their products. Matching like with like will ensure the best possible finish.

Hammer Hardware

Hammer Hardware offers a matching services for paint chips and some items. Like other stores, they recommend chips brought in for matching are smooth, flat, clean and as untextured as possible.

Mitre10

Offering a huge range of interior and exterior paint, well-loved Kiwi hardware brand Mitre10 also offers an instore paint matching service.

Resene

Like Dulux, if you have a paint you’d like to match and you know it’s a Resene shade, we’d recommend going directly to your nearest Resene store. In addition to offering paint matching, Resene also offers colour creation services – usually free of charge and with the option to officially name your newly created hue!

Need Help with Interior or Exterior Painting?

So, you’ve found your perfect paint match? Nice! Your next step is to get to work!

Except… perhaps you’re short on time, don’t want to deal with the mess of painting, or you're not confident you have the experience you need to produce a great finish.

If you need help with exterior or interior painting, touch-ups, spray painting, deck staining, creating a feature wall - or any kind of painting job around your home – Ezy Peazy has you covered.

Thanks to our extensive network of professional taskers across the country, finding an affordable painting service near you is just a few clicks away. Taskers you’ll find on our platform are experienced and highly rated and will come to you with all the tools, experience and skills needed to complete a top-quality job.

Using our platform is simple, free and quick. All you need to do is list your requirements (e.g. interior painting or wall paint touch-ups), preferred budget, location and timeframe and then sit back while you wait for offers from reputable painting contractors near you.

Then, once you’ve selected your tasker for the job and the work is underway, we’ll keep your payment secured until you’re 100% happy with the job that’s been completed.