One of the most difficult parts of any painting project is picking the color. There are so many choices. Where do you start? Consumer Reports suggests going online to get a general idea of what colors you might like.

“Instead of going to the store and getting overwhelmed with all the pain strips, narrow the field online.

CR’s Tanya Christian says once you have a few ideas, you can buy sample cans of paint or see if the manufacturer offers peel & stick samples that show what that paint will look like on your walls. They cost between $2 and $6 per sticker.

“What we suggest is that you put these on your wall at eye level, and make sure you’re taking a look at it throughout the day,” Christian said. “How does it reflect light in the morning? How does it reflect light in the afternoon and the evening. Before you make your decision, live with it for a little bit.”

And be sure check the color on a few different walls.

“Obviously, light hits at all different angles, and so you want to make sure that you’re comfortable and you’re happy with the color at all those angles,” she said.

More Info:

CR’s Interior & Exterior Paint Buying Guide

Best Interior Paints From Consumer Reports’ Tests