To begin, you need to plan what you want to paint. Cans of paint will indicate the coverage area per can. Calculate how much you will need to complete whatever it is that you are painting. Also select the type of paint you want to use. In kitchens or bathrooms, you should use a gloss or semi-gloss paint, whereas in a room you may want the look of a flat finish. You can also use these ideas for any project that you are working on - trim, a doghouse, a plinko display, blocks or anything else that can be painted.

Now let's focus on color. To create a custom color, the paint store will need a swatch of the sample color; they usually ask for a sample in a circle about 1" (25mm) in diameter, but some places will accept even smaller samples. Call in advance to determine their particular requirements. Designers use custom colors to create paint that matches other elements in a room, for example. While this may be visually appealing, we discovered that you can take this idea much further and incorporate some meaning into a project that you are working on. A great way to create a sample is to use a photograph. Anything you can photograph can be matched as long as the size is big enough. If your photo is too small, enlarge it and cut out the area that you are trying to match. See the review section of this plan for photography tips for those ideas that will require a photo. You can also find color in books and magazines. If you are particulary fond of giraffes, for example, you can find a magazine or book with a giraffe and match the colors. Here is a list of ideas to get you started:

• color of pets fur or animal's skin (well suited for doghouse or vivarium)
• color of baby's eyes (well suited for baby's room walls)
• color of tanned skin from your vacation photos
• color of favorite flower, plant or grass
• color of moon
• color of sky on a particularly crisp day or at sunrise/sunset
• color of clouds
• color of sea or lake
• color of snow, sand or soil
• color of favorite building, monument or bridge
• color of trophy or award
• color of a prized possession
• color of a wedding dress or other clothing
• color of jewelry
• color of anything else that has meaning to you

The key point is to be creative. Instead of painting a child's room white, you can find a light color related to their favorite hobby or sport. If they enjoy playing the piano, how about matching the color of a piano key, or if they enjoy soccer, how about the white color of a soccer ball. You can also give a bucket of meaninfully-colored paint as a gift.

While some samples can be used directly (a swatch of fabric or a rose petal), most others cannot. In these cases you will have to rely on photography. Colors vary in different light conditions so to get an accurate depiction, try taking several photos in various light conditions and then choosing the one that most satisfies you. Cut out the color in question and have it matched!