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Selecting a paint color is a whole ordeal, but trying to match the shade you already have on your walls presents an even greater challenge—especially if the color was there prior to when you moved in or you simply forgot the shade and brand. But expert DIYer Cara Newhart has an easy solution to get an exact match: Cut a piece of your wall off behind an outlet cover, and get the swatch professionally matched.
Newhart shared this hack via TikTok, showing exactly how to execute it. She cut out a little square behind her own outlet cover using a box cutter. When she placed the cover back over the outlet, the area looked exactly the same as it did before. “Bring your tiny sample to Home Depot or the paint store,” she explained in the video. “You want to go somewhere where they digitally scan to match.”
The outcome? A shade that perfectly matches your walls. This method pretty much eliminates the endless time spent holding paint swatches up to your wall to find the best match. Not to mention, that method can lead to real confusion if you compare swatches at different times of the day in various types of lighting. By gathering your own sample, you can get the job done with minimal effort so that you can focus on the fun part: giving your walls a fresh coat of paint or simply fixing up areas that need it the most.
Shop Essential Paint Supplies:
Primer
Precision Defined Paint Roller Tray (2-Pack)
Scotch Painter's Tape (6 Rolls)
Warner Mfg Plastic Paint Guide
SHOP&SHIP Canvas Drop Cloths
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Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
