Using Sherwin-Williams’ Paint Visualizer and Color Matching Apps

In the “old” days, to paint a room, DIY homeowners had to make an inspired leap of faith, narrowing down selections and using small paint chips, or applying small samples to the wall to try out colors. Today, color matching apps and paint visualizers are making the process easier, and more fun. 

Sherwin-Williams’ apps and color tools are particularly popular, because of their easy-to-use tech and built-in inspiration.  

Ready to pick the perfect color? Here is a guide to Sherwin-Williams’ color matching, color expert and color visualizer tools. 

Pick the Right Paint Color Using Sherwin-Williams Color Expert 

The newest of its paint apps, Sherwin-Williams Color Expert uses AI to determine the right color for the room you want to paint. 

You simply take a photo of the space you plan to paint, and the Color Expert app will make several paint suggestions based on color combinations with accents and furniture in the room, considering details in artwork, architectural features and more. 

Instead of giving your room a total makeover (although you can certainly do that as well) Sherwin-Williams’ AI detects colors you’ve got already, using those as a base.  

This lets you compare what your room looks like now, versus refreshed with different colors. It also presents you with opportunities to consider color combinations that you may not have thought of. 

It’s like working with a color consultant in-store, who will recommend various paint shades based on your tastes and your space, without leaving home. 

“Homeowners who love design and doing their own projects tend to struggle when it comes to choosing the perfect paint color,” says Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams’ director of color marketing. 

She explains that it’s not unusual for homeowners to consult multiple touchpoints before settling on a color, which can muddle the decision-making process.  It's overwhelming, and that's what this app aims to assist with.

“All app users have to do is upload an image of the desired space and the technology will instantly recommend several wall colors that complement other items in the room, such as furniture and décor. The app also offers the opportunity to visualize any of the over 1,000 colors available instantly in their space, seamlessly order free color chips or purchase peel & stick samples, save their favorite shades for quick and easy reference and access the full Sherwin-Williams color catalog, including expert picks, top-trending colors and more,” says Wadden. 

Using the the Color Visualizer 

Sherwin-Williams’ Color Visualizer is a web-based tool, using their library of paint colors. 

Homeowners choose from a selection of pre-styled rooms, or you can upload a photo of your own, and “paint” the walls virtually. This clarifies what a color might look like on a larger scale,  

A nice feature with this app is the daylight/nighttime feature, to try to gauge how color might vary with differing light conditions. 

You can upload photos of anything at all, with colors that appeal to you, from landscapes to fashion to vacation photos, and the visualizer will match the closest Sherwin-Williams shade. 

How to Color Match Paint with ColorSnap Match Pro 

With this app, you need a separate Bluetooth-enabled device, which you can order from Sherwin-Williams. Pair the device to the ColorSnap Match Pro app on your phone. 

When placed on a flat surface, the device scans the color and reads color composition accurately, with a controlled light source, better than a photo you’d be able to take with your phone. The app recommends the closest color and sheen to the scanned color. 

It’s a helpful way to stoke inspiration by sourcing colors from everywhere: accents and furnishings, your favorite sweater, textiles and more.