--- title: How to Choose Paint Colors | Mike Walsh Painting description: Pick your paint colors with confidence. Follow 4 simple steps, test real samples, and send Sarah your color sheet before your paint job starts. --- [Skip to content](https://mikewalsh.pro/paint-color-guide#main-content) **Book a consultation today –** then enjoy walls that wow for years to come. [![Untitled design (90).png\_width=400&height=200&name=Untitled design (90) 1](https://mikewalsh.pro/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(90).png_width=400%26height=200%26name=Untitled%20design%20(90)%201.svg)](https://mikewalsh.pro/?hsLang=en) - Services Show submenu for Services - [Homes](https://mikewalsh.pro/homes) - [Commercial](https://mikewalsh.pro/commercial) - [Property and facility managers](https://mikewalsh.pro/property-and-facility-managers) - [Homeowners associations](https://mikewalsh.pro/homeowners-associations) - [Community spaces and nonprofits](https://mikewalsh.pro/community-spaces-and-nonprofits) - [Design trade](https://mikewalsh.pro/trade) - [About](https://mikewalsh.pro/about-us) - [Contact](https://mikewalsh.pro/contact-us) - [Insights](https://mikewalsh.pro/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Services Show submenu for Services - [Homes](https://mikewalsh.pro/homes) - [Commercial](https://mikewalsh.pro/commercial) - [Property and facility managers](https://mikewalsh.pro/property-and-facility-managers) - [Homeowners associations](https://mikewalsh.pro/homeowners-associations) - [Community spaces and nonprofits](https://mikewalsh.pro/community-spaces-and-nonprofits) - [Design trade](https://mikewalsh.pro/trade) - [About](https://mikewalsh.pro/about-us) - [Contact](https://mikewalsh.pro/contact-us) - [Insights](https://mikewalsh.pro/blog) - [Schedule a Consultation](https://mikewalsh.pro/contact-us) [Schedule a Consultation](https://mikewalsh.pro/contact-us?hsLang=en) Color guide # Pick your paint colors Follow four steps. Start with free tools. Pay for help only if you get stuck. Choose your colors before your crew starts. 1 ## Look at what stays Your roof, brick, stone, floors, counters and any trim you keep will not change. Your new color has to sit well next to them. Take photos in daylight. Shoot the front of the house straight on. For rooms, stand in a corner with the windows in view. Take three photos per space. 2 ## Try colors on your own photo Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore each have a free visualizer. Upload your photo and paint it on screen. Pick two or three favorites, then move to step 3. ### [Sherwin-Williams Color Visualizer](https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/color/color-tools/color-visualizer) Works on the web and in the Color Expert app. Choose a sample scene or add your photo. Sherwin-Williams colors only. ### [Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio](https://www.benjaminmoore.com) Works on desktop and in the app. Read colors from a photo. Benjamin Moore colors only. Screens change color. Sherwin-Williams says to check a real chip or painted sample before you buy. Do that in step 3. 3 ## Test the real color on your wall Put a large sample on two different walls, or two sides of the house. Look at it in the morning, at noon and at night. Live with it for two or three days before you choose. ### [Sherwin-Williams peel and stick samples](https://samples.sherwin-williams.com/view/peel-%26-stick) Large sample sheets you stick on the wall and peel off. No mess and no drying time. Pricing has been 3 for $10. Check the current price at checkout. Video**Mike shows you how to test a color**Coming soon Mike's how to video will play here. It shows where to put samples and when to look at them. 4 ## Still stuck? Get help Pick the option that matches how stuck you are. I have two or three favorites I want a color expert to suggest a palette I want a plan for the whole house Option A ### Do it yourself Free - Steps 1 to 3 on this page - Free visualizers - Samples cost a few dollars Best when you already like a few colors. Option B ### Sherwin-Williams Freechat, email and samples - **Live chat, free.** Quick color ideas. Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. - **Email consultation, free.** A palette for one space, plus free 2 by 3 inch chips mailed to you. - **Peel and stick samples, about 3 for $10.** Large stick on sheets for testing at home. [See all services and book](https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/color/color-tools/color-services). Their page lists no exterior specific service, so ask about your exterior when you book. Option C ### Interior designer Call to book[262-204-7622](tel:+12622047622) - One person looks at your space and your style - Ask for a one hour session first - Send your photos and finalists ahead of time Best for a whole house, a full remodel or a tricky exterior. ## Send your color sheet to Sarah Fill this out once. Copy it. Paste it into one email to Sarah. She sends it to your crew, so they paint the right color the first time. Deadline Send your sheet at least 7 days before your start date. Late colors can move your start date. Changes You get one round of changes after you send your sheet. Your name Job address Start date SurfaceBrandColor name and codeSheen Add another surface Anything else Sarah should know Your color sheet Paste it in an email to[sarah@mikewalsh.pro](mailto:sarah@mikewalsh.pro) Copy email address Copy color sheet Attach a photo of your sample on the wall if you can. ## Colors chosen? Book your free estimate. Send us a message and we will get in touch to plan your project. [Book your free estimate](https://mikewalsh.pro/contact-us?hsLang=en) Prices and hours checked on September 30, 2026. Providers change them, so confirm before you book. ![Group 2836](https://mikewalsh.pro/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%202836.png?width=201&height=63&name=Group%202836.png) At Mike Walsh Painting and Decorating, we're more than painters—we're partners in crafting treasured spaces. Our passion is seeing the delight in your eyes once the paint is dry. ### Services [Homes](https://mikewalsh.pro/homes?hsLang=en) [Commercial](https://mikewalsh.pro/commercial?hsLang=en) [Property and facility managers](https://mikewalsh.pro/property-and-facility-managers?hsLang=en) [Homeowners associations](https://mikewalsh.pro/homeowners-associations?hsLang=en) [Community spaces and nonprofits](https://mikewalsh.pro/community-spaces-and-nonprofits?hsLang=en) [Design trade](https://mikewalsh.pro/trade?hsLang=en) [About](https://mikewalsh.pro/about-us/?hsLang=en) [Color guide](https://mikewalsh.pro/paint-color-guide?hsLang=en) [Contact](https://mikewalsh.pro/contact-us?hsLang=en) ### Areas we cover Serving Northern Illinois and Southeast Wisconsin ### Get in touch (262) 204-7622 [Book an estimate](https://mikewalsh.pro/contact-us?hsLang=en) [Terms & Conditions](https://mikewalsh.pro/terms-and-conditions?hsLang=en) [Privacy Policy](https://mikewalsh.pro/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) [Cookie Policy](https://mikewalsh.pro/cookie-policy?hsLang=en) Copyright © 2026, Mike Walsh Painting and Decorating ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "HousePainter", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Lake Geneva", "addressRegion" : "WI", "postalCode" : "53147" }, "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Lake Geneva, WI 53147" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Town of Linn, WI 53147" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Fontana, WI 53125" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI 53125" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Williams Bay, WI 53191" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Delavan, WI 53115" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Delavan Lake, WI 53115" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Walworth, WI 53184" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Burlington, WI 53105" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Waterford, WI 53185" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Mukwonago, WI 53149" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Eagle, WI 53119" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Genoa City, WI 53128" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Como, WI 53147" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "East Troy, WI 53120" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Lauderdale Lakes, WI 53121" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Antioch, IL 60002" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "McHenry, IL 60050" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Grayslake, IL 60030" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Gurnee, IL 60031" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Harvard, IL 60033" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Spring Grove, IL 60081" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Woodstock, IL 60098" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Bull Valley, IL 60098" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Mundelein, IL 60060" } ], "image" : "https://21388638.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21388638/logo%20trasnparency.png", "name" : "Mike Walsh Painting and Decorating", "priceRange" : "$$$-$$$$", "telephone" : "+1-262-204-7622", "url" : "https://mikewalsh.pro" } ```