The patterns and colours used in house painting capture everyone’s curiosity, but most of the time, we focus on the shine or finish of wall paints. We don’t usually dig too deeply into the minutiae of its composition. If you actually want to select the greatest wall paint for your home, you must first grasp how the essential qualities of one type of paint differ from those of another. A certain collection of attributes that come standard with a given type of paint determines its functioning.
It’s worth noting that flat, eggshell, and satin paint finishes further subdivide each type of wall paint. One should bear this in mind. In contrast, this article classifies house painting colours and patterns in terms of their constituent parts.
Paint comes in both oil and latex formulations and can be finished with a wide variety of sheens. As a result of its durability and low maintenance requirements, latex paint is by far the most popular form of paint used today.
It also provides a higher resistance to fading and better breathability than oil, which means less paint blistering. Latex paint is recommended for use on most walls and other household purposes.
When priming real wood mouldings and trim, oil-based paint is preferable than latex since it helps to protect the wood against stains and knots. Because of this, oil-based paint is a fantastic option for priming solid wood mouldings and trim. Yet, it takes longer to cure than latex paint, so you’ll want to factor that in. Hitch Property Constructions provides home painting services to help you paint the home of your dreams.
What Sheen Should I Choose?
A higher gloss level makes painting much easier to maintain and clean. A high gloss sheen is ideal for rooms that get a lot of foot traffic, like a playroom, or those are prone to getting grease on the wall, like a kitchen, and for families with young children. Wall defects and blemishes will become more noticeable, and the result could be an unpleasant sheen in common areas like living rooms. Also, high gloss is wonderful for trim since it will make the trim look polished and contrast nicely with the matte sheen of your walls. You can find high-gloss paint at any hardware or paint store.
Semi-gloss finishes, on the other hand, are more practical for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and trim since their sheen is not quite as reflective as a gloss finish. It’s a common substitute because it’s less expensive than the glossy finish and serves the same purpose. Sheens that have a satiny smooth appearance are both attractive and practical; they work well in the kitchen, the bathroom, and the hallway. This could be an excellent choice if you’re looking for gloss and an easy-to-clean paint that still has some sparkle to it.
If your walls are spotted with blemishes, try a flat or matte paint. To achieve full coverage with a single coat of flat paint, you need to paint only a small section at a time. Since it shows dirt and fingerprints more easily, this paint is best used in low-traffic areas. Choose this paint because of its durability and versatility. The most common sheen is eggshell since it is both durable and silky to the touch and may cover defects like a flat sheen but can be washed more easily. The most common finish is an eggshell one. Since it combines the best features of both flat and glossy finishes, we think it would look great in just about any space.
What Colour Should I Select?
They recommend painting the walls of your house white or an off-white tone if you plan on selling it. Aside from making it simple for the buyer to paint the walls whatever colour they like, this will also make your rooms look cleaner and brighter. However, you can take use of the hundreds of paint choices and brochures offered by your local paint store, and you should consult with a salesperson about the many colour schemes offered to obtain the desired effect. You can radically alter the mood in any room of your house with some strategic planning and the strategic application of colour in varied tones to generate a particular look or feel. Discover how good of a job professional house painters can do at answering your enquiries.
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is the colour wheel. We learned the fundamentals of these three colours-red, yellow, and blue-during our school years. All three of these hues may be found on the colour wheel in the 12 o’clock, 4 o’clock, and 8 o’clock places. Any two of these colours together produce a new shade (i.e. purple, orange). Analogous colours are those that sit next to one another on the colour wheel. Blue and purple, for instance, are two instances of complementary colours. Colours like green and red, which are opposites on the colour wheel, are considered to be complementary because they complement one another. Simply by using shades of the same colour (say, greens) throughout your outfit, you may get a look that is subtle and peaceful. Painting a small space with light, cool colours like blue, green, or purple makes it feel more spacious and open. In contrast, a space bathed in sunny hues like reds, yellows, and oranges will feel more vibrant and welcoming. If you want to reduce the intensity of the warmth of a red or yellow, you can do it by choosing a pastel version of that colour, such as pink, peach, or a buttery yellow. You could, for instance, make a red hue look more like a buttery yellow. Warm colours have cooler complimentary colours, whereas cool colours have warmer complementary colours. Colours that are pure or brilliant are the most intense, while colours that are subdued or tinted are not as striking. Shades can be tinted as well (shades darker than those used previously).
I Want A Subtle And Soothing Look:
One alternative is to use a monochromatic colour scheme, in which you select colours from the same colour family to provide a pleasing overall effect. In addition, you can choose to combine colours that are related by using colours from the same colour family. This is the style of decoration best suited for a bedroom or bathroom where a soothing ambience is desired. Using a blender, combine various tones of your prefered colour. You could, for instance, paint the walls a deeper colour while selecting a trim colour from the same colour family that is a different shade and considerably lighter. The draperies, the bedding, the towels, as well as the accessories like candles can all be a different colour while still fitting into the same scheme. Alternatively, you might use a faux painting technique to layer two different shades of green over each other, starting with a brighter green as the base coat and ending with a darker green as the overlay. The choice of a colour that falls in the middle is another possibility.
There is a wide range of soft colour options available, including pinks, lavenders, blues, and soft yellows, that are perfect for achieving a romantic, calming, and peaceful ambience in a space. If you’re looking to create a relaxing atmosphere in your bedroom, go for lighter hues of either cold or warm colours. Bedding and accents with contrasting textures can boost the room’s visual appeal. Get rid of the old regulation that states you can only use one colour and one pattern. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the dramatic difference in mood that may be achieved by altering the room’s paint and furnishings. Colours like sage may instantly make a kitchen feel more welcoming, and buttery yellow tones will enhance the comforting atmosphere that comes from baking. Powder blue is associated with peace and tranquillity.
Paint Finishes Guide
There is a simple rule of thumb to consider when deciding between paint finishes: the higher the shine, the more durable the paint will be.
High-gloss paint has a lot of shine while flat paint doesn’t have any. In between, you’ll find finishes like eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, all of which are useful and attractive in their own ways.
High Gloss
High-gloss paint is the most durable and easy-to-clean of all paint sheens because it is hard, exceedingly bright, and incredibly reflective of light. Don’t discount appliance paint only because of its durability.
High-gloss finishes are ideal for frequently touched areas like cabinets, trim, and doors where fingerprints and smudges are common. However, high-gloss finishes add an unwelcome level of reflection to indoor walls. High shine, like a Spandex dress, will show every flaw, so you can’t afford to skimp on the prep work.
- Trim is put to good use in kitchens, doors, and windows.
- The maximum possible strength and resilience
Semi-Gloss
This is a great solution for parts of the home where drips, water, and grease can cause damage to the walls. Great for high-traffic areas as well, such as trim work.
- Kitchens, baths, trim, and chair rails are examples of practical use.
- High durability
Satin
Despite its name, many people find that its velvety finish makes it feel luxurious. This flooring is great for high-traffic areas since it can be cleaned quickly and easily. The biggest problem is that it shows imperfections in the application process, like brush or roller strokes, quite clearly. Revisions made down the line can be difficult.
- In the home, applications include family rooms, foyers, corridors, and children’s bedrooms.
- High level of endurance
Eggshell
Sheen-wise, eggshell is midway between satin and flat (and durability). In essence, it has a matte (no-shine) texture with very little lustre, like an egg, hence the name. Whether you’re looking to hide minor wall defects or create a soothing atmosphere, eggshell is a fantastic choice for common areas that don’t get a lot of wear and tear.
- Practical applications include dining rooms and living rooms.
- Durability: near the medium end of the spectrum
Matte Or Flat
Since they don’t sparkle when the light hits them, flat or matte finishes are ideal for walls that need to hide anything. You’ll save the most time and money by utilising it because it has the highest pigment concentration and the largest coverage. However, it is challenging to clean without also losing the paint along with the dirt.
- Spaces inside the house that aren’t frequented by youngsters, such bedrooms, are ideal candidates for this.
- The durability is modest to low.
Top Tips For Selecting The Right Sheen
If the colour you’re using is really dark and saturated, but you don’t want it to look like a mirror, tone down the sheen of the paint by at least one degree. The reason for this is that the more pigment a paint has, the darker and more saturated the resulting colour, and the higher the shine it will have. The same holds true if you are painting a very big, very sunlit, or very imperfect wall. If you polish anything to a high gloss, defects will be more obvious.
Depending on how far up the sheen scale you go, you can expect to pay an extra $1.50 to $2.00 per gallon for a product that has been given a high gloss finish.
Interior Painting Projects: Best Paint Brands
It’s not easy to know where to start when deciding which paint brand you want to use. We’ve all seen the pile of paint swatches and samples on someone’s dining room table when they’re trying to decide on a paint colour.
Some are better than others when it comes to the quality of the paint finish and the ease of application, but not all of them have finishes that are resistant to mould, which is a major factor in whether or not you should paint a space like your bathroom. To help you select the finest paint for your specific project, we’ve broken down the top ten paint brands into ten distinct categories, ranging from best deal to best coverage and beyond.
Depending on the specifics of the work and what you plan to paint, you may also need to invest on a few of these. (There actually is a premium paint that was made for use on ceilings!) Right here is where you’ll find our best paint brands. At Hitch Property Constructions, we provide a wide range of home maintenance services.
Benjamin Moore
Famous American paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore started out as a small family business in 1883 and has since become a global powerhouse in the industry. However, you won’t find Benjamin Moore paints in big-box stores; they’re only available through privately owned and operated businesses (find one here).
Remember that you don’t have to choose a shocking colour to give a room a new lease on life. Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and Decorator’s White are two of their most popular shades, both of which are favoured by professional interior decorators.
Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams, another well-known paint maker, not only provides a wide variety of colours, but also sells its HGTV Home line of paints at Lowe’s for the sake of consumer convenience. The two most commonly purchased colours from this manufacturer are pure white and agreeable grey.
Dunn-Edwards
Since Dunn-Edwards was already widely recognised as a top paint producer, its popularity spread rapidly to new regions of the United States. In fact, when we poll Los Angeles-based designers on their prefered paint brands, Dunn-Edwards products consistently rank high. The company’s storefronts are only found in the southwestern United States, but the brand is still carried by a small number of retailers nationally (search for the one nearest you).
Behr
If you want to give your home a new look without breaking the bank, Behr paint is the way to go. Home Depot sells flat interior paint for less than $30 a gallon. Multiple colour options are available for the paint. Paint can be purchased at the same store where other painting supplies, such as rollers, brushes, and tarps, can be found, saving you a trip.
Farrow & Ball
Do you wish to paint your home in a colour that will never go out of style? Farrow & Ball is the brand that comes most highly suggested. Even though this luxury paint brand is more expensive per gallon than the others on the list, you can rest assured that the colour you receive was carefully selected because it is based on a historic colour palette or archive. We advise painting a small swatch of your chosen Farrow & Ball paint on the wall and watching how the colour changes throughout the day as the light hits it, because these paints are noted for their depth and complexity. Intent on experimenting with new hues? You can either visit a store near you to pick up a sample pot or order one from the website.
Clare
The interior designer Nicole Gibbons started the online paint retailer Clare. The business provides door-to-door delivery of a well picked collection of paint samples. Clare is available to help customers who are feeling overwhelmed by the store’s apparently limitless array of paint swatches. Clare makes it much simpler to choose a paint colour because she only provides 55 options. To what extent are you still undecided? They go so far as to offer an online quiz designed to help you locate your soulmate. Ordering the paint and other materials (such as drop cloths) online eliminates the need to visit a hardware store.
Little Greene Paint & Paper
Only Little Greene produces zero-VOC latex and oil paints derived from environmentally friendly vegetable oil. All of Little Greene’s paints are low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs for short), while many of the other brands on this list only offer one or two such options. Plus, the colours are rich and sophisticated, perfect for a room makeover that will stand the test of time.
Hitch Property Constructions offers a wide range of home renovation services in the Melbourne area.
FAQs About Home Painting
What Paint Lasts the Longest?
Acrylic paint is the most long-lasting of the different types. It has a long lifespan, is flexible, and can resist deterioration caused by the sun’s rays as well as damage caused by rain and other environmental factors.
Which Paint Is Best for Living Room?
Paints made of latex are a superior option for use in the living room. The water-based formulation emits fewer or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dries in less time, and is easily cleaned up with just soap and water. The completion of your project to paint the living room will go much more quickly and without as many hiccups if you use these helpful conveniences.
What Is the Most Durable Paint for Walls?
High-gloss: Paints with a high-gloss finish are the most durable and easy to clean, in addition to having a paint finish that is the most reflective and shiny. Cabinetry, doors, and trim work benefit the most from this finish.
What House Colors Last Longest?
White is the most durable colour, despite its tendency to show imperfections and to lose its brightness over time. Even colourless modern paints will last approximately the same amount of time as long as long as they are applied correctly on a surface that has already been prepared.
What Is Latex Paint Used For?
The use of latex paint both inside and outside of a building is highly recommended. After it has dried, you can clean it with some soap and water. Even though latex paint is safer to use than oil paint, you should still make sure the area you are working in has adequate ventilation and that you are wearing the appropriate breathing equipment. You can use it on the ceilings, walls, and trim as well as the siding.
Conclusion
Painting with oil or latex paints allows for a variety of sheen levels. Oil-based paint should prime solid wood mouldings and trim. High-gloss trim contrasts well with matte walls. Flat or matte paint hides wall blemishes. High-traffic areas should avoid this paint since it shows grime and fingerprints.
Experts recommend painting walls white or off-white to sell a home. Green and red are complementary colours. Cooler complimentary colours balance dominating colours’ warmth. Monochromatic schemes use only one colour family. Bedrooms should have light, relaxing colours.
Powder blue symbolises tranquilly. High-gloss finishes enhancing cabinets, mouldings, and doors. Eggshell is ideal for high-traffic, low-wear environments. Flat or matte finishes don’t reflect light, and dull walls. Top 10 paint makers in 10 groups.
Behr paint is a budget-friendly option to update your house. Farrow & Ball paint is recommended. Flat interior paint is available at Home Depot for under $30 per gallon. Interior designer Nicole Gibbons created the online paint provider Clare. High-quality paint swatches are delivered door-to-door. In addition, small Greene sells exclusively low-VOC paints (Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs).
Content Summary
- The patterns and colours used in house painting capture everyone’s curiosity, but most of the time, we focus on the shine or finish of wall paints.
- If you want to select the greatest wall paint for your home, you must first grasp how the essential qualities of one type of paint differ from those of another.
- A certain collection of attributes that come standard with a given type of paint determines its functioning.
- It’s worth noting that flat, eggshell, and satin paint finish further subdivide each type of wall paint.
- A higher gloss level makes painting much easier to maintain and clean.
- Try flat or matte paint if your walls are spotted with blemishes.
- To achieve full coverage with a single coat of flat paint, you must paint only a small section at a time.
- They recommend painting the walls of your house white or an off-white tone if you plan on selling it.
- Painting a small space with light, cool colours like blue, green, or purple makes it feel more spacious and open.
- One alternative is to use a monochromatic colour scheme, in which you select colours from the same colour family to provide a pleasing overall effect.
- In addition, you can combine related colours by using colours from the same colour family.
- Using a blender, combine various tones of your preferred colour.
- You could, for instance, paint the walls a deeper colour while selecting a trim colour from the same colour family that is a different shade and considerably lighter.
- The choice of a colour that falls in the middle is another possibility.
- If you want to create a relaxing atmosphere in your bedroom, go for lighter hues of cold or warm colours.
- Bedding and accents with contrasting textures can boost the room’s visual appeal.
- You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the dramatic difference in mood that may be achieved by altering the room’s paint and furnishings.
- There is a simple rule of thumb to consider when deciding between paint finishes: the higher the shine, the more durable the paint will be.
- However, high-gloss finishes add an unwelcome level of reflection to indoor walls.
- Whether you’re looking to hide minor wall defects or create a soothing atmosphere, eggshell is a fantastic choice for common areas that only get a little wear and tear.
- If you polish anything to a high gloss, defects will be more obvious.
- Knowing where to start when deciding which paint brand you want to use takes work.
- Some are better than others regarding the quality of the paint finish and the ease of application, but not all have finishes that are resistant to mould, which is a major factor in whether or not you should paint a space like your bathroom.
- To help you select the finest paint for your specific project, we’ve broken down the top ten paint brands into ten distinct categories, ranging from best deal to best coverage.
- Depending on the specifics of the work and what you plan to paint, you may also need to invest in a few of these.
- Since Dunn-Edwards was already widely recognised as a top paint producer, its popularity spread rapidly to new regions of the United States.
- Dunn-Edwards products consistently rank high when we poll Los Angeles-based designers on their preferred paint brands.
- Behr paint is the way to go if you want to give your home a new look without breaking the bank.
- Farrow & Ball is the brand that comes most highly suggested.
- We advise painting a small swatch of your chosen Farrow & Ball paint on the wall and watching how the colour changes throughout the day as the light hits it because these paints are noted for their depth and complexity.
- You can either visit a nearby store to pick up a sample pot or order one from the website.
- The interior designer Nicole Gibbons started the online paint retailer Clare.
- The business provides door-to-door delivery of a well-picked collection of paint samples.
- Clare makes it much simpler to choose a paint colour because she only provides 55 options.
- They go so far as to offer an online quiz designed to help you locate your soulmate.
- Ordering the paint and other materials (such as drop cloths) online eliminates the need to visit a hardware store.
- Only Little Greene produces zero-VOC latex and oil paints derived from environmentally friendly vegetable oil.
