Best interior paintds how to#
Best interior paintds full#

Best interior paintds how to#

(For expert tips on how to get the best paint job, check out 5 Secrets to Great Paint Preparation.) While a self-priming paint may work well for indoor tasks, outdoor surfaces (which tend to have more variability) may require a coat of primer regardless of a product’s claims. This can save time and money, but make sure to pay attention to the small print on a paint’s label. That means you don’t need to buy a primer to create a neutral surface to paint on. Priming ability: Many interior and exterior formulas are self-priming.In addition to our ratings, there are a couple of other factors you might consider, each of which will have an impact on your experience in using a particular product: Look at the color at different times of the day.

Best interior paintds full#

Once you’ve narrowed your choices, paint a swatch on the front of your house where it’s in full sun, not on the porch or under an overhang, where there are shadows. Again, observe the color at various times of day as the natural light changes. Paint sample boards with each color you’re considering, and place them on different corners of your home.

If you’re undecided, find inspiration from other houses in your neighborhood, though you probably wouldn’t want to choose a color that’s too similar to that of the homes next door. But as blues and grays remain popular inside the home, they’re popping up on the exteriors of homes, too. Throughout the day, observe the effects of changing light (both natural and artificial) on the color.įor exterior paint projects: Neutral and earthy palettes continue to be widely used because brick, stone, and other fixed elements (such as wood) tend to be warm materials.

No matter which method you choose, place the color samples at eye level and live with them for at least a few days. Or, if available, you can try a more convenient alternative: large peel-and-stick paint squares ranging from about 8x8 inches to 9x14 inches. Paint sample colors on large sheets of heavy paper so that you can move them from place to place without having to paint the walls. Once you’ve narrowed your choices, you can buy small containers for testing. Major paint brands offer online “visualizers” that allow you to upload a photo of your room, then apply different colors digitally to get a sense of what will look best. An online search can help you narrow the field. Do this over the course of several days, removing colors that aren’t working. Keep in mind that indoors, color tends to intensify over large areas, so it’s generally better to go too light than too dark in a given shade.įeel like skipping the store altogether? Now you can. Once home, place the chips on the wall, next to the trim, and look at them at different times throughout the day as the natural light changes. A store’s lighting affects your take, so ask to step outside with it to get another look in natural light. But whether you like neutral colors or vibrant shades, zeroing in on just the right hue can be tricky.Ī great place to start is by looking at the biggest paint chips the store offers. Exterior paint contains compounds made to stand up to the elements and should be limited to outdoor use.)įor interior paint projects: Fun fact-despite all the colors available, whites and off-whites remain the top-selling interior colors. (Keep in mind that interior paints hold up to common household wear and tear and should be used indoors only. We test dozens of interior and exterior paints in a variety of finishes to help you find the best one for the job and your budget. The good news is that the perfect paint for your needs is out there, and CR can help lead you to it.

When prices jump by $5 to $20 per gallon, you can’t help but wonder: Which paints deliver? And are the more affordable options just as efficient?

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the price of interior paint climbed 21 percent and that of exterior paint soared 30 percent between January 2020 and January 2022. But walk into any home center or paint store and you’ll quickly discover that it can be quite daunting: wall-to-wall options and multiple formulations and finishes, not to mention some sky-high prices. Buying a can of paint should be an easy task.