The Right Way to Test Paint Colors

Love rich colors? Some hues need a special ingredient to come out right. Plus: See what 5 pros say about where and how to test your paint

It’s a common image: Someone selecting a wall color paints several sheets of paper or sample boards and hangs them on the wall to compare colors. It looks artistic and even a bit hip, but it may not be the most accurate way to vet wall paint. We talked to five pros, including painters and designers. Here’s what they suggest instead.