Paint Samples & Paint Colour Swatches
From take-home sample paint to large swatches and professional fan decks, you’ll find everything you need at our stores coast to coast. And if you want to start your search online, our digital colour tools and fan deck let you build a shortlist before you visit a branch.
Choosing a colour is the fun part of painting, until you’re standing in your space wondering if that “perfect” swatch will still feel right once it covers a whole wall. That’s exactly why we make it easy to test first. At Cloverdale Paint, our paint samples and paint colour swatches help DIY homeowners across Canada pick colours with confidence, whether you’re refreshing one room or planning a full interior and exterior update.
Why Paint Samples Matter (Especially for DIY)
A paint chip under store lights can look totally different in your home. Natural light changes through the day, bulbs add warm or cool tones, and nearby flooring or furniture can shift how a colour reads. Using paint samples is the best way to see a colour in your real lighting before committing to gallons. Our try before you buy recommendations reduces colour regret and makes projects smoother.
When you sample first, you can:
- Confirm undertones (warm vs. cool)
- See how the colour looks morning, afternoon, and night
- Compare two or three favourites side-by-side
- Match to existing décor or finishes
Our Paint Samples: Test Before You Invest
We offer Colour Tester paint samples in our stores so you can brush or roll your top picks directly onto your wall or a sample board. These testers are designed for previewing colour accurately in your space.
Best ways to use sample paint (DIY tips):
- Paint a large square (at least 2 ft x 2 ft) so you can see the colour “in context.”
- Try more than one wall — a bright wall and a shadow wall can show very different results.
- Live with it for a day or two before deciding.
- Label your samples so your shortlist stays clear (especially if you’re testing multiple rooms).
If you’re unsure where to start, our in-store teams can help narrow colours quickly based on your light, finishes, and style goals.
Paint Colour Swatches & Chips
Every Cloverdale Paint store carries a wide selection of paint colour swatches and chips you can take home to explore. These include:
- Classic Cloverdale colour collections
- Whites and neutrals
- Interior and exterior trend palettes
- Specialty cards for siding, decks, stains, floors, and more
For many of our collections, we also offer larger 3” x 5” chips, which are ideal for design boards or comparing colours against flooring and fabrics.
DIY pro move: Take several chips in the same family (light, medium, deep). Most homeowners pick a colour slightly too dark at first glance, seeing the full range helps you choose the right depth.
Fan Decks: Your “Colour Library” in Your Hand
If you want the most flexible way to compare colours anywhere, a fan deck is the DIY secret weapon. A fan deck is a portable booklet of paint colour swatches organized by colour family and light-to-dark flow.
At Cloverdale Paint, we offer fan decks that bring our most-used colours into one easy tool. For example, our Narrative fan deck organizes popular EX-series colours into a convenient stripe deck, making it simple to build room palettes or exterior combinations.
Best ways to use a fan deck:
- Flip through in your actual room light
- Hold swatches next to furniture, countertops, tile, or brick
- Compare trim + wall + accent colours in one sitting
- Bring it shopping for textiles or décor
If you paint often or like to plan, a fan deck quickly becomes your go-to reference.
Start Online, Finish Confidently In-Store
We know many DIYers prefer to start browsing from home. That’s why we provide online colour exploration tools and a digital fan deck experience to help you build a shortlist. Just remember screens vary, so digital colour is a guide, not a final match. We always recommend confirming your top picks with real paint colour swatches or paint samples in your space.
Matching an Existing Colour? Bring a Sample In
Trying to touch up a wall or match a favourite fabric? Bring in a physical reference and we’ll match it. Our colour-matching technology and experienced team can recreate colours from chips, décor items, or painted pieces so you can stay consistent across rooms.
Available Across Canada
With Cloverdale Paint stores throughout Canada, you don’t have to wait on shipping or guess online. You can walk into a branch, pick up paint samples, gather paint colour swatches, and explore fan decks in person often in the same visit. Whether you’re in a big city or a smaller community, we’re here to help you find your colour faster and paint with confidence.
Ready to Choose Your Colour?
The best paint projects start with the best preview. Pick up a few paint colour swatches, borrow a fan deck for inspiration, and take-home paint samples to test in your real light. When you’re ready, we’ll mix your chosen colour in the right product and sheen for a finish you’ll love long after the last coat dries.