Yesterday, I shared how adding a few punches of color could freshen up a room.
It did…a little. But check out this TOTAL room makeover!
Same room as yesterday, but a COMPLETELY different feel, would you agree?
Frankly, I’m a little stunned myself!
I’d love to say I cleared out the room and painted it (including the fifth wall, i.e., ceiling).
Actually, it’s a virtual makeover using Benjamin Moore’s online paint tool. Upload your room photo, select the tool and start playing with color! I’ve visited these sites before, but have never been able to use MY rooms. I’m not sure when technology caught up, and maybe I’m just the last one at the party, but if you’re like me and haven’t checked these sites out in a while, it’s definitely a game changer.
It does take a little finessing to get the wall surfaces properly selected, but once you do, it’s a snap to start switching colors around. The tools work best with darker shades, but you can still use it to get a vibe of the lightest colors as well.
Seeing the impact that a change in wall color had on yesterday’s fairly lifeless room, I am definitely going to revisit painting. The visualizer doesn’t just generate flat color…it also incorporates the effects of your room’s lighting and shadows. Being able to visualize colors I would have never considered with my own furnishings, shadows and all…I’m just blown away by the possibilities!
Better yet…why stop at the walls? Let’s say you wanted to paint your dresser. Use the selector tools and you can even paint that surface…like I did here with these pillows:
Let’s go through how it works using the Benjamin Moore website. Click on the “Get Started” tab:
On the next page, they will auto play a helpful tutorial and you can upload your photo:
Next, name the item you would like to recolor, then click on “Create Surface:”
You can use any of four tools to select your surface, each works a little differently:
The Magic Selection tool identifies all area of a similar color:
But you have to keep clicking to fill in the spaces it doesn’t automatically select:
I tend to use the Shape Tool the most, because you can click a line around big and small shapes, and easily move the small squares until you’re happy with the selection:
Then just click on “Save and Select Color:”
And PLAY ’til your heart’s content:
I even gave my dresser makeover a makeover 🙂
I used the Benjamin Moore site, but this capability is now also available at Sherwin-Williams, Pittsburg Paints, Valspar, and Glidden.
Honestly, I may just start painting the whole house all over again…(NOT)!
Update: All links were verified and are current as of January 2020…and I’m STILL having fun with these color tools!
WOW! I didn’t know you could do your actual rooms. I’m going to have to try this!
Yep, like with the storage ottoman photos…the room I took the pictures in is not our family room and had darker carpet and paint. I uploaded the picture and changed both the carpet AND the walls to a lighter color. Easy peasy!