When choosing paint colors, they are usually selected based on the small card swatch found at the local hardware store. Paint looks different when applied to various walls and surfaces. It is important to not only use the sample swatch to choose your paint color, but to also paint a section of the wall to truly see the full scope of the color. We suggest painting as large of a sample as possible, then make sure you do a second coat. Bigger swatches also allow you to get a better sense of what the color will look like under different lighting in your house. One shade might look better or worse during the day or night.
When the paint color looks lighter on the wall and darker on the swatch, you have a very common problem that is not easily corrected. The reason that this happens is that you look at the swatch often with a pure bright white background. This is commonly found on the sample swatches you find at the hardware store. These samples have varying shades and tint of the same color and can cause them to appear darker than how they ultimately will look on a wall, resulting in getting unexpected results.
Ensure you take your time and let the paint dry completely before making your final decision. Keep in mind, other items in the room can also affect how the color looks as well. There are many factors at play when selecting a paint color for your room. Paint a good sample on your wall prior to fully committing to the color.