How to Mix Different Colors of Paint

The different types of paint for furniture plus paint brands carry their own color line with a variety of shades to choose from. But sometimes, you may want a specific color that is not available. This is where knowing how to mix different colors of paint comes in handy.

Mixing colors allows you to create unique hues to match your personal style and design preferences. So if you’re tired of the limited options and really want that perfect color for your next furniture project, let’s dive into mixing paint colors!

Paint colors usually come in basic colors such as black, white, blue to yellow. You can already use these colors on their own, but they also come in many shades that have different moods and effects when used.

Now, paint brands can have a wide or limited range of colors, but sometimes even with the selection, you can’t find the exact shade you’re looking for. And you don’t want to settle for something close but not quite right.

Well, mixing different colors of paint is the solution to this problem! You can easily create your desired shade by combining colors together. You can make custom colors that no one else has, making your furniture piece truly unique.

How to Mix Custom Paint Color

So how do you start mixing paints to make custom colors for furniture? Check out these easy steps along with tips and tricks to create a one of a kind hue for a furniture makeover.

Mix Small Paint Samples

Mixing paint can be a trial and error process, especially if you’re new to it. That’s why it’s important to start with small samples first. Mix just a tablespoon of each color together and see what you get. This will help you understand how the colors interact with each other and give you an idea of what ratios work best.

Write down the ratios as you go. You might have to mix a few different colors together to get the exact shade you want, so it’s best to keep track of the colors and ratios you use. Plus, this will come in handy if you need to mix more of the same color later on, especially if you run out of your custom mix.

Remember, you don’t have to mix large amounts of paint at once. For your first time, start small and gradually work your way up to larger amounts once you’re sure you already have the right color. This way, you won’t end up wasting a lot of paint if your first few mixes don’t turn out as expected.

Mixing Colors of the Same Type of Paint

When mixing colors, it’s important that you stick to the same type of paint. This means mixing only acrylic paints with other acrylic paints, chalk paint with other chalk paints, and so on. Different types of paint have different formulas and mixing them together may not give you the desired result. Here’s mixing milk paint colors together for a detailed guide on how to mix different colors of milk paint.

Now aside from the type of paint, it’s also best to stick within the same paint brand when mixing colors. While the colors may be the same paint type, brands have their own distinct formulas as well and when mixed together, it can lead to unexpected results. If you mix colors from the same brand, you can be sure that the pigments and ingredients are compatible with each other.

So for consistency and to avoid any potential mixing disasters, use the same type and brand of paint. It’s also simpler in the long run since you can grab what you need from one store instead of juggling different brands from various places.

Paint Color Mixing Ideas

If you’re unsure of which paint colors for furniture to mix together to create your desired shade, here are some ideas to get you started:

For a soft and muted look, try mixing white with another color – you can add more white if you want an even lighter shade. This will give you a pastel version of the color and is perfect for creating a dreamy, shabby chic look on furniture. You can check out shabby chic painted furniture ideas here if you’re into this style.

Use black paint to get those darker, dramatic shades. If you’re starting with a light color like pink or yellow, be careful not to add too much black all at once, or it might end up way too dark. Just add black gradually until you create the shade you want.

Mixing complementary colors, or colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, can also result in interesting shades. For example, mixing blue and orange will give you a beautiful shade of brown. Experiment with different complementary colors to see what unique shades you can create.

You can mix as many color combinations as you want before finally choosing your final color. That’s why you should only use paint samples at first because you don’t want to waste large amounts of paint trying out different mixtures and end up with a color you don’t like.

For more inspiration on choosing the right shade, here’s our blog post about the 10 best painted furniture colors! We also have a list of neutral furniture paint colors here if you want to keep it simple and classic.

Testing Custom Paint Colors on Furniture

When you think you’ve got the perfect customized paint color, you should test it out on a scrap piece of wood or what material your furniture is made of. This step is important because the color may look different on your furniture compared to a small sample.

It allows you to see how the paint dries and looks in different lighting as well. These factors can greatly affect the final look of your furniture, so it’s better to be sure before you start mixing a big batch and painting the actual piece.

If you’re satisfied with how the custom paint color looks on the scrap wood, then that’s awesome! You’ve successfully created a unique shade for your furniture. If not, you can always adjust the ratios or try out different color combinations – that’s definitely better than discovering you don’t like the color after painting your furniture piece!

Mixing different furniture paints not only allows you to customize your own unique shades but also gives you more options when it comes to choosing colors for your pieces. Remember to start with small samples, stick to the same type and brand of paint, and test the color on a scrap piece before painting your actual furniture.

More Painting Furniture Tips

• Bold Furniture Paint Colors
• Chalk Paint Colors for Furniture
• Mixing Leftover Paints & Creating Custom Colors
• Brown Furniture Paint Ideas

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