If you are a licensed professional designer, companies give you a color deck free of charge.
If you are not a professional, the same companies charge a hefty fee for those same color decks. Here is a quick and easy way to make your own.
Visit your local home improvement store. Paint chips are free. Look for the company that has the most expansive color selection and take one of every color.
You will also need a hole punch and a piece of heavy twine. If you don't already have those at home, pick them up while you are at the home improvement store to save you having to run out later.
When you get home, punch a hole in each color chip. Make sure the holes are all in the same location on each chip.
Next is the biggest part of the project. Organize each of the chips from lightest to darkest in each color. Use the color wheel for direction. Begin with the whites. Then organize the yellows. Continue for the oranges, reds, purples, blues, greens, browns and blacks. Keep each color section separate while you are organizing. If you are stumped as to where a color goes, just pick one. An example would be whether a color goes in as the lightest brown or the darkest white, pick one. There are no chip police. It is fine wherever you decide to use it.
When you are all organized, thread the chips onto the twine in the same order. Triple knot the twine so it doesn't come apart.
You now have a color deck similar to the ones decorators use and can use it yourself as you decorate your own home. Take it with you to the store to match colors.
You can also create a deck with the wood samples. Just make sure they have a hole already punched or you will need to get out your drill.
