How To Pick The Right Wall Paint And Buy The Right Amount

How To Pick The Right Wall Paint And Buy The Right Amount

Painting multiple rooms or even a single accent wall in your home can feel like an overwhelming project: There’s picking colours, taping trim, sanding, priming and, oh yeah, doing the actual painting.

“I think this is a great place to take a risk,” says Oliver M. Furth, an interior designer in Los Angeles. “If you’re thinking about experimenting with colour … it’s much easier to repaint a wall than reupholster a sofa.”

How much paint do you need?

Paint requirements vary widely depending on several factors, including the wall surface; paint type, shade and quality; and how many coats you apply.

In general, 3.75L of paint can cover anywhere from 21 to 37m2, says Sean Osysko, senior director, product innovation at Sherwin-Williams. Most cans will come with coverage per litre estimates.

You can calculate the area of your space and determine the required amount of paint by hand if you know the estimated coverage for your specific paint, or you can use an online paint calculator such as those from Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore.

Some simple calculators give rough estimates and may not account for the exact dimensions of windows and doorways, so keep that in mind as you determine your paint needs.

Also, you’ll want to round up rather than down if your calculations put you between litres — and don’t forget to factor in a second or third coat. Two coats will do the trick for most paints, though more coats may be required for deeper colours.

Which type of paint should you buy?

Choosing a paint comes down to more than just colour. You’ll use different paint types, for instance, for interior projects than for exterior ones. You can purchase paints that are moisture-resistant for bathrooms, or more durable for homes with children or pets, or meant for shutters and window trim.

High-sheen paints are more washable but tend to show wall imperfections, while low-sheen paints are good for coverage but more difficult to keep clean, says Mike Mundwiller, field integration manager at Benjamin Moore.

He adds that higher-quality paint holds its colour and is easier to apply — this can mean less work and lower costs in the long run.

In general, high-quality paint has a higher ratio of solids (the pigments that provide colour and opacity and the binders that hold the pigments in place) to liquids (the water or oil that carries the solids). Latex paints with all-acrylic binders tend to hold up best to wear and tear.

Furth advises clients to invest in the highest-quality paint they can afford.

“The better quality paints will have more pigments and so a more nuanced and complex colour,” he says. “Often this is hard to tell from a postage-size swatch, but when you’ve painted an entire room and the colour reacts to the light, your eyes can really see the difference.”

Depending on the texture and current colour of your walls, you may have to do some advance preparation before you can paint. If you’re covering a deep or dark colour with a bright shade, or painting a light colour over a deep shade, a primer can better prepare the surface for a topcoat of paint and reduce the number of coats required. If you’re painting a light colour over an existing light colour, you may not need primer.

The bottom line: Don’t guess — ask.

How to store the leftovers

If you end up with extra paint, you can save it for touch-ups or future projects. One common storage option is to cover the top of the can with plastic wrap and use a rubber hammer to seal the lid, but Mundwiller recommends transferring leftovers to a smaller container to reduce the amount of empty space and the possibility of mildew or spoilage.

Store containers in a cool, dry place where they won’t be exposed to temperature extremes — avoid your garage and attic.

“Always refer to the storing instructions found on the label of the product you are using,” Mundwiller adds. “In general, paint does not have an expiration date.”

When you’re ready to dispose of the leftovers, pour the remaining paint onto an absorbent material such as kitty litter, leave it to dry completely, then toss it in the bin. You may be able to toss empty cans in your bin or recycling bin in some places, but you should check local waste rules before doing so.

Other options include recycling or donating unused paint to a local nonprofit. Never pour excess paint down a drain.


The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

Here are the cheapest plans available for Australia’s most popular NBN speed tier.

At Lifehacker, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.

Comments