Choose Your Sheen and Color
Choosing a colorĀ is where some folks start.Ā Color-matching systems have improved to the point where you can get close to the exact color you crave in just about any brand. TheĀ sheenĀ can vary, however, and that can affect your perception of color. So decide which sheen is needed for the job (pros and cons are spelled out below), find a color you love, and then choose the best paint for your budget. Fun fact: Despite all the colors available, whites and off-whites remain the top-selling interior colors. With dozens to choose from, zeroing in on just theĀ right whiteĀ can be tricky.Ā
Look at the biggest paint chips the store offers. A storeās lighting affects your take, so step outside to get another look in natural light. 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. Do this over the course of several days, removing colors that arenāt working.Ā Keep in mind that indoors, color tends to intensify over large areas, so itās generally better to go too light than too dark in a given shade.
Once youāve narrowed your choices, buy small containers for testing. 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. Live with them for at least a few days. Throughout the day, observe the effects of changing light on the color, both natural light and light provided by bulbs.
ForĀ exteriors, warm, neutral palettes continue to be widely used because the brick, stone, and other fixed elements are warm materials. That said, as blues and grays became popular colors for a homeās interior, theyāre popping up on exteriors, too. And itās smart to take a cue from other homes in the neighborhood, although you donāt want a color thatās too close to the homes next door.Ā
Paint sample boards with each color youāre considering, and place them on different corners of your home. Again, observe the color at different times of day as the natural light changes. Once youāve narrowed your choices, paint a swatch on the front of your house where itās in full sunānot on the porch or under an overhang, where there are shadows. Look at the color at different times of the day.
Pick Your Paint
You can choose the most beautiful shade, but if the paint is mediocre, the end result is likely to disappoint. Our tests find that economy grades of interior paint donāt perform well overall, and you may need to apply three or four coats to cover dark colors. Paints earning a Very Good or Excellent rating in our hiding test cover most colors in one coat. The vast majority of the tested paints claim to eliminate priming.
Exterior paints have improved dramatically in recent years. As a group, theyāre more durable and less prone to cracking and fading. But there are still real differences among the tested paints in ourĀ ratings, and many manufacturers claim that you wonāt have to apply a primer first.Ā
In response to stricter federal and regional standards, manufacturers have reduced the levels of volatile organic compoundsāsome of the noxious chemicals that can make paint smell like paintāin their products. Earlier low-VOC paints lacked the durability of higher-VOC finishes, but now all the paints in our tests are claimed to have low or no VOCs, and many perform very well.
For more on paint, see:
5 Secrets to Great Paint PreparationĀ
When to Call a Painting Contractor
How Long Does Leftover Paint Last?
Interior Paint
OurĀ interior paint ratingsĀ tell you how well a paint hides whatās underneath it, how smooth the finish will be, and whether the paint resists stains, scrubbing, gloss change, sticking, mildew, and fading.
Because a brandās flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss formulations perform similarly overall, weāve combined the scores into one to make it easier for you to choose.Ā
Flat:Ā These finishes hide imperfections well but are the least stain-resistant and are better suited for low-traffic areas.
Eggshell and satin:Ā Use only on fairly smooth, well-prepared surfaces because their shine can accentuate imperfections on the walls. These paints are tough enough to be used in family rooms, kidsāĀ rooms, and hallways. Some might change sheen when scrubbed.
Semi-gloss:Ā Shinier still, these paints are formulated to stand up to stains. Theyāre generally the easiest to clean, but some may tend to dull when scrubbed. Theyāre ideal for kitchen and bathroom walls, windowsills, and other woodwork. Semi-gloss paints require a very smooth, well-prepared surface with few imperfections.
Exterior Paint
OurĀ exterior paint ratingsĀ indicate which paints are likely to last the longest on your home. We rate how a paint resists cracking, color change, dirt, and mildew.
Like interior paints, exterior paints come in a variety of sheens, but weāve combined scores of the various exterior-paint sheens into one score to make it easier for you to decide. Here are the types to consider:
Flat:Ā This dullest of finishes is the best choice if you need to mask imperfections. Flat finishes look best on exterior walls, especially those that are older and more weather-worn.Ā
Eggshell and satin:Ā These finishes have a slight gloss and can also work well on walls, especially those that are newer and smoother.
Semi-gloss and gloss:Ā Most often used for trim because they highlight the details of the woodwork and are easy to clean.
Paint Brands
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