Artsy Crafty Library: Paint chip creations

Think paint chips and color card samples are just for picking wall colors? Think again. Those colorful sample cards found in home improvement stores aren’t just for choosing the perfect shade of “Calming Blue” or “Sunset Rose.” These little swatches of color can be the heart of beautiful, creative and budget-friendly art projects. Paint chips offer endless possibilities for eye-catching designs.

Most home improvement stores offer paint chips for free – just be respectful and take only what you need for your project. You can also ask if they have discontinued cards or extras they’re planning to toss. Besides being free and incredibly vibrant, paint chips are sturdy, easy to cut and come in a stunning array of hues. They’re perfect for creating art that’s bold, color-coordinated and delightfully modern. With a little imagination and a stack of paint chips, your next masterpiece is only a snip away.

Creative project ideas

Here are upbeat, inspiring ideas to get in the art zone and decorate your home. This fun and colorful collection of art projects turns tiny color cards into bold creations – no renovation required.

Paint Chip Calendar

Make a dry-erase calendar from square paint chips arranged in a grid mounted behind glass in a large frame. Hot glue paint chips to the back frame board for a dry erase calendar. It’s stylish and functional with great home office or organizational appeal.

Paint Chip Mosaics

Cut paint chips into small squares or shapes, then piece them together to form geometric patterns, abstract landscapes, or even detailed portraits. The variety of shades makes it easy to play with light and shadow—no paintbrushes needed. Try a landscape or city skyline for a dramatic color gradient effect!

Ombre Wall Art

Use a single-color family to create an ombre design – think soothing blues fading from sky to midnight or fiery reds blending from blush to burgundy. Arrange them in vertical or horizontal rows, then frame for an instant pop of color in any room.

Paint Chip Garlands

This is great for parties, holidays or just fun home décor on a simple wire wreath or mantle. String together cut-out shapes like pennants, hearts, stars or leaves using a hole punch and twine. Paint chip garlands are lightweight, festive and customizable for any color scheme or season.

Geometric Wall Art

Create a framed piece with neatly cut triangles or hexagons arranged in a gradient or rainbow pattern. Think modern, clean lines—perfect for minimalist home décor.

Try a color app

Adobe Color is a free web-based tool that anyone can use. Access it directly through your web browser. Once the page opens, select Create. It offers a feature that generate the color palette of an uploaded photo. The palette and photo are a frameable piece and it shows the main reference colors for decorating, clothing choices, wall color and more. To save your color creations, setup a free adobe account with email and password. 

Colorful summer exhibit

If color makes your heart sing, be sure to visit the library’s Alice C. Sabatini Gallery for Dr. Drab's Lab May 31 - Aug 24, 2025. Oh no! Dr. Drab has stolen all the colors! Explore this hands-on, immersive summer art exhibit for children as we rescue colors from Dr. Drab's Lab.