How to Test Paint Samples Properly (So You Don’t Repaint Twice)

Sampling is where most paint decisions fail

People don’t end up repainting because they chose a bad colour. They repaint because they tested it badly — or didn’t test it at all.

A colour that looks “perfect” on a tester pot lid, a tiny wall patch, or a phone screen can behave completely differently once it’s covering an entire room. Paint is affected by light direction, finish, surrounding colours, and scale. If you don’t account for those, you’re guessing.

Testing properly isn’t overkill. It’s how you avoid expensive regret.

Step 1: Test behaviour, not first impressions

The goal of a paint sample is not to answer “Do I like this colour?” It’s to answer:

• Does this colour behave consistently?
• Does it flip undertone?
• Does it hold depth in poor light?
• Does it still feel right at night?

If your testing only happens at one time of day, you haven’t tested anything meaningful.

Barrow & Fall matches are selected for stable behaviour — but your room still has the final vote.

Step 2: Never test directly on the wall (if you can avoid it)

Painting straight onto the wall creates three problems:

1. The existing wall colour bleeds into your perception
2. Sharp edges distort how undertones read
3. You can’t move it around the room

Sample boards let you view the colour in different light, compare multiple options side by side, and check it against trim, floors, and furniture. This is how professionals test — not by patching walls randomly.

Step 3: Always apply two coats (one lies)

One coat is not representative. Ever.

• First coat is translucent
• Undertones haven’t settled
• Base colour shows through
• Dry-down hasn’t finished

A colour after one coat can look colder, lighter, and cleaner. Only judge after two coats and full dry time. If a colour still feels uncertain after that, it’s telling you something.

Step 4: Test in multiple locations (light changes everything)

A colour does not behave the same way on every wall.

• Near windows
• In corners
• On the darkest wall
• On the brightest wall

Check morning light, midday light, evening light, and artificial light only. This is where undertone flips reveal themselves — especially with neutrals and Farrow & Ball-style colours.

Step 5: Test with the lights you actually use

Testing in daylight only is useless if the room is used mostly in the evening.

• Warm bulbs
• Cool bulbs
• Lamps vs overhead lights
• Lights on + daylight fading

A good colour should warm gently, not yellow; deepen, not go muddy; and stay balanced, not flip pink or green. Barrow & Fall matches are designed to hold their undertone under typical UK lighting — but bulbs vary wildly, so always check.

Step 6: Compare samples side by side (context reveals truth)

Colours rarely fail in isolation. They fail in comparison.

• Next to each other
• Next to your chosen white
• Next to wood tones
• Next to fabrics already in the room

This immediately shows which is too grey, too warm, too flat, or which holds depth. If one sample suddenly looks “wrong” next to another, trust that instinct.

Step 7: Don’t ignore scale effect

Colour always feels stronger on large areas.

• Very pale neutrals often feel colder than expected
• Mid-tones suddenly feel bolder
• Dark colours feel heavier

If you’re between two shades, the slightly deeper one often wins once scaled up — especially with Farrow & Ball-style colours and Barrow & Fall matches.

Step 8: Match the finish you plan to use

Finish changes everything. Testing a colour in matt and painting in eggshell or satin later will skew perception.

• Light reflection
• Depth
• Undertone visibility

Barrow & Fall guidance always assumes like-for-like finishes. Ignore this and you’ll misjudge the colour, not the match.

Step 9: Live with it (at least 48 hours)

Initial reactions are unreliable.

• Walk past them
• Ignore them
• Notice when something bothers you

Ask: does my eye keep snagging on this? Does it feel calming or irritating? Does it still feel right at night?

If something quietly annoys you, it will shout once the whole room is painted.

Step 10: Know when to stop testing

Over-testing can be just as bad as under-testing.

• One option consistently behaves better
• Others reveal flaws in comparison
• Your reaction shifts from analysing to relief

If you’re stuck choosing between two that both work, either will likely be fine. If one keeps raising doubts, eliminate it.

The biggest sampling mistakes (quick diagnosis)

• Tiny patches on the wall
• One coat only
• Judging in one light
• Comparing different finishes
• Ignoring trim and floors
• Choosing based on a photo

All of these lead to the same outcome: repainting.

How Barrow & Fall fits into this

Barrow & Fall matches remove one variable — poor colour selection. They don’t remove the need for testing.

• A well-researched shortlist
• Built around undertone accuracy
• Designed to behave like the originals

Your job is to confirm which one behaves best in your space.

The final reality

Paint testing isn’t about perfection. It’s about avoiding surprises.

• You stop second-guessing
• You commit with confidence
• You paint once, not twice

Skipping this step doesn’t save time or money. It just delays the regret.