Choosing paint colors is always a hassle. We found that Paint Test Boards by Tru-Hue make it much easier and can be used to select not only paint colors, but also your home furnishings as well.

Tru-Hue asked us to try their test boards out since we have written several articles about choosing paint colors. Our review is totally independent and we are not being compensated. Nor has Tru-Hue been given a copy of our review prior to posting this.

 

Using Tru Hue Paint Test Boards
Tru-Hue paint boards come in three sizes:

1) 24" x 12" size
2) 12" size
3) 6" Mini To-go Board

The boards are relatively stiff but do have some flexibilty. We used the 24" x 12" size for testing and used a roller for several different paints. We did not use a primer and found that the Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams Paint were easy to apply to the boards. The tendency is to apply too much paint to the boards, so go easy on the first coat. Let the first coat thoroughly dry. This will depend on the brand you use, but it usally 2-3 hours and then recoat.  

Overall the paint boards worked well. They did not curl up and were easy to handle and place on walls or countertop. Leave the boards up on the wall and live with them for a while. You get a good idea of how that color renders during certain times of the day and at night with artificial lighting. Also move them around in other rooms too. You may find that while the sample color does not work well in a bedroom it does just fine in another room, under the kitchen cabinets, etc.

Like the video below, we recommend that when you have narrowed your choice to one color, that you paint three additional 24" x 12" colors. The larger area will give you a better idea of how that room will look.

Once you decide on a paint color you can cut up the paint board into smaller boards or just use the smalller 6" Mini To-go Boards. These are useful to take to furniture or home furnishing stores to see how things will go with your chosen paint colors. Also when you are finished with your project, don' throw the boards away. File the mini boards for future use or in another project. We found the Tru Hue Video very informative.

Are Paint Test Boards worth the cost?
We think that if you are painting an entire house and are striving for a very well thought out color scheme, the paint test boards are worth the cost. The real utility comes after you have selected your paint color. That's when the 6" mini to go boards can be invaluable in seeing how other furnishings and finishings go with your paint color. You'll use the mini to go boards in furniture and home furniture show rooms, in your own kitchen and bathrooms to find the right color granite, cabinets and flooring. We also think that the larger boards are idea for seeing how a different paint color will look it painted on one wall in a room.

Builders and interior designers should find the paint test boards very useful. If anything, they will help their clients select color and convey the idea that you are well organized.

How we would improve Tru-Hue Paint Boards
The first thing would do is to remove the Tru-Hue sku sticker from the back of the paint board. There's no reason why you could not paint both sides of the boards. The stickers could easily be placed in the lower right hand corner.

The next things we would do would be to make a small hole on the 6" Mini To-go Board. Then place them on a small beaded chain. This would faciliate keeping them all in one place and taking them to furniture and home furnishing stores to mix and match your accessories. 

Where to Buy
You can buy an assortment of Tru Hue Paint Test Boards at TruHue.com.