Choosing the right paint color for your home can be a daunting task. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to settle on just one shade. This is where paint matching apps like the one from Lowes come in handy. Lowes offers an easy-to-use paint matching app that allows you to match colors from photos, swatches, or even by inputting a competitors’ paint color.
What is the Lowes color match app?
The Lowes color match app is a free mobile app that allows you to match paint colors from various sources. You can match colors from photos, physical swatches, or by inputting details like brand, color name, and color code. The app uses advanced image recognition technology to detect the dominant colors in photos and match them to paint colors from Lowe’s collection of over 1,500 hues across top brands like BEHR, Glidden, Kilz, and Valspar.
Here are some key features of the Lowes paint matching app:
- Match colors from photos in your camera roll or by taking a new photo
- Match colors by inputting details like brand, color name, or color code
- Scan barcodes on existing paint cans or swatches
- Preview paint colors in real environments with augmented reality
- Save your matched colors to a project palette
- Locate the matched paint colors in your local Lowes store
The app provides a quick and convenient way to find the exact paint color you want, whether you’re starting from a photo, swatch, or even just a color description. The seamless in-store integration makes it easy to purchase your matched paint.
How does the Lowes color match app work?
The Lowes paint matching app uses advanced image recognition and processing technology to analyze the dominant colors in photos. Here is an overview of how the color matching process works:
- Select a photo from your camera roll or take a new photo directly in the app.
- The app scans the photo and detects the main colors using imaging algorithms.
- It matches the detected colors to paint colors in the Lowe’s database.
- The app displays the closest matching paint colors along with details like brand, finish, color name, and color code.
- You can tap any of the results to see more details, check availability, and add it to your project palette.
For matching colors by inputting details manually, the app simply searches its database for the closest match and returns the results.
The app primarily uses image analysis and pattern recognition to match colors from photos. This technology allows it to analyze color values, tones, and contrasts to find the best match among thousands of paint choices.
Can you match competitor’s paint colors?
Yes, the Lowes color match app has a handy feature that allows you to match paint colors by inputting details from competitor brands. To use this:
- Choose the “Match Paint Color” option in the app.
- Select the “Competitor’s Information” tab.
- Input the brand, color name, or color code from the competing paint color.
- The app will automatically return the closest matching color from Lowe’s collection of paint brands.
This makes it super easy to find the same or very similar color from Lowe’s if you have the details of a competitor’s paint. The app has color data for major brands like Behr, Benjamin Moore, Glidden, Sherwin-Williams, and more.
What paint brands does the app support?
The Lowes paint matching app has access to Lowe’s entire database of paint colors across all the major brands sold at their stores. Here are some of the top paint brands you can match colors from:
| Brand | Product Line |
|---|---|
| BEHR | BEHR Premium, BEHR Marquee, BEHR Ultra |
| Glidden | Glidden Premium, Glidden Diamond |
| Valspar | Valspar Premium, Valspar Reserve |
| Kilz | Kilz Premium, Kilz Complete |
| HGTV Home | HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams |
So you can match colors across Lowes’ entire selection of interior and exterior paints from brands liked BEHR, Glidden, Valspar, Kilz, HGTV Home, Olympic, Ralph Lauren, Dutch Boy, and more.
Does it work on interior and exterior paints?
Yes, the Lowes paint matching app can identify and match colors for both interior and exterior paint selections. It has access to Lowe’s full catalog of paints, including:
- Interior paints – brands like BEHR Premium Plus, Glidden Diamond, Ralph Lauren, Valspar Reserve
- Exterior paints – brands like BEHR Premium Plus Ultra, Glidden Diamond, Olympic Elite
The app makes no distinction between interior and exterior colors. You can match a wall color from inside your home or an exterior siding color with equal effectiveness using the photo matching feature.
The only difference is that when you view the matched results, exterior paints will be labeled accordingly to make it clear which are for outdoor use. This ensures you get the right paint for the surface you want to color match.
What colors can the app match?
The Lowes app can match a wide variety of colors and shades, including:
- Primary colors – red, blue, yellow
- Secondary colors – orange, green, purple
- Tertiary colors – red-orange, blue-green, etc.
- Neutrals – whites, grays, blacks, browns
- Pastels – soft pinks, mints, sky blues
- Bright and intense colors
- Dark, deep, or bold colors
- Metallic sheens – golds, silvers, coppers
The advanced color-detecting technology built into the app can identify and match thousands of subtle color variations and shades. So whether you want to match a pale eggshell blue or rich crimson red, the app will find the closest option.
The only colors it may struggle with are neons and fluorescents, as these very intense shades are difficult to accurately detect from photos. But for most everyday colors, the Lowes app can find an excellent match.
How accurate is the paint matching?
The Lowes paint matching app is designed to provide extremely accurate results using advanced image analysis algorithms. However, there are a few factors that can impact the precision of the matches:
- Photo quality – Higher resolution photos in good lighting conditions produce the most accurate results.
- Screen display – Seeing colors accurately depends on your screen brightness, resolution, etc.
- Surface textures – Matching very smooth or textured surfaces is harder than flat paint.
- Metallic/pearlescent paints – Shimmery paints are tough to color match digitally.
To achieve the most accurate results:
- Take high-res photos in bright, natural daylight.
- View and match colors on a quality screen (not too warm or cool.)
- Match solid, flat paint rather than textured surfaces.
- Avoid matching metallic paint finishes.
With good quality photos and a calibrated screen, the Lowes app will match colors with about 90% accuracy or better in most cases.
Does the app provide multiple match options?
Yes, when you match a color with the Lowes app it will return multiple close options, not just one exact match. You’ll typically see:
- 1-2 Spot-On matches – Nearly identical to the color detected.
- 3-5 Close matches – Very similar in hue and tone.
- 5-7 Related colors – In the same color family.
This gives you some flexibility to browse colors that are an extremely near perfect match versus those that are simply coordinating colors. And seeing multiple options helps ensure you find the closest match to your actual surface finish and lighting conditions.
Can you save and share matched colors?
The Lowes app allows you to easily save your matched paint colors by adding them to a project. To save colors:
- Tap the heart icon on any color result to add it to your favorites.
- Go to the “Projects” tab to access your saved colors.
- Add colors to new or existing project palettes.
- Share entire palettes with others via email, messaging, etc.
Saving your colors makes it easy to keep track of your favorite matches as you browse. And compiled projects allow you to share, review, and finalize paint choices with family, friends, clients, contractors, and others.
Does Lowes have actual paint scanners in stores?
In addition to the color matching app, some Lowes stores also have dedicated paint scanners that can analyze physical paint samples. These scanners work by:
- Placing a paint swatch or chip into the scanner.
- The scanner reads the sample and matches it to the Lowe’s paint database.
- Results are displayed on a monitor for the closest matching colors.
This provides an easy way to match paint without taking photos and using the app. And since the color reads are done in-store, it accounts for the store’s unique lighting conditions.
However, not all Lowes locations have these scanners. To find one near you:
- Call your local store to ask if they have a paint scanner.
- Search the Lowes website or app to see if scanners are listed as an in-store service.
- Visit the customer service desk at your store to inquire.
If your store doesn’t have a scanner, you can still use the color matching app for convenient matching on-the-go. Just be sure to double check the results under the lighting conditions the paint will be used in.
Tips for using the Lowes color matching app
To get the best results from the Lowes color matching app, keep these handy tips in mind:
- Take high resolution photos in natural light for color accuracy.
- Avoid shadows or flash when photographing surfaces.
- Match large, flat areas rather than textured or patterned surfaces.
- Hold colored samples close to the surface when taking photos for matching.
- Compare digital matches to real paint swatches for final selection.
- Prime surfaces first for a truer color match.
With good quality photos and realistic expectations, the Lowes app can make matching existing colors much quicker and easier. Just be sure to confirm matches under natural lighting before finalizing your purchase.
Conclusion
The Lowes color matching app provides a convenient way to match paint colors from just about any photo or paint brand details. Using advanced image analysis technology, it can closely replicate existing hues and tones to take the guesswork out of paint selection. While digital matches won’t be exact, the app dramatically simplifies the process of choosing coordinating colors. So next time you need to match a wall, furniture finish, exterior paint, or anything else, turn to the Lowes app for a handy digital color matcher right on your phone.