Painting
Interior Painting Guide: What Homeowners Should Know
By Decker Service Professionals
A comprehensive guide to interior painting — preparation, washing walls, calculating paint, paint types, color schemes, sheens, tools and common questions.
Compared with buying new furniture, art or lighting, interior painting is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to update a room. A new color quickly changes how a space looks and feels, which is why painting is one of the most popular home projects.
This guide covers:
- When to hire a professional
- Preparing walls for painting
- How to wash interior walls
- How much paint you need
- How long interior paint lasts
- Types of interior paint
- Color ideas and color schemes
- Paint finishes (sheens)
- Frequently asked questions
DIY or Professional?
Painting a room is a manageable weekend project for many homeowners, especially with quick-drying paints and primers. But there are times when a painting contractor makes sense:
- You just moved in. Painting every room — especially if repairs are needed along the way — can be a big job.
- There is a lot of preparation. Many homeowners underestimate prep. If walls have many cracks, holes and repairs, a professional whose scope includes surface preparation can save time and frustration.
- The project needs special finishes. Some finishes and materials call for specific experience.
- You do not have the time. Painting takes longer than many people expect.
Professionals Who Can Help
- Color consultants help clients who are struggling to choose colors, drawing on color theory and current direction to suggest palettes that suit the home.
- Interior designers and decorators look at the overall look and feel of a home and can recommend colors that work with existing finishes and furnishings.
- Interior painting contractors do the actual painting. They know which paint and sheen suit each room and its use, and they handle surface preparation. On larger projects they may also coordinate with color professionals.
Preparing Walls for Interior Painting
Many DIY painters underestimate the preparation needed. Not every home has clean, smooth walls ready for paint.
Steps in Surface Preparation
- Protect the room. Move and cover furniture, protect floors, tape where needed, and remove or cover switch plates, outlet covers and fixtures.
- Clean the walls. Mild household detergent and water is usually enough. Kitchen and bath walls with grease or water marks may need a stronger cleaner made for painted surfaces. If you find mold, address the moisture source and clean it with a product intended for mold, following its directions.
- Find problem areas. "Raking" a wall — turning off the room lights and slowly moving a work light across the surface at a low angle — reveals small imperfections the eye would otherwise miss. Mark them as you go.
- Scrape loose paint. Scrape only what is peeling, chipped or loose; leave sound paint alone. A heat gun can help with stubborn paint or wallpaper, but never use heat on paint that may contain lead.
- Fill and caulk. Joint compound is used for taping drywall seams and filling holes; spackle suits small cracks and dings. Larger holes can be repaired with self-adhesive patches covered with compound. Caulk gaps along trim. If the wall surface is very uneven, skim coating — applying a thin layer of compound over the wall — can create a smoother, more level surface.
- Sand. Focus on filled areas and feather them flush. A vacuum with a HEPA filter helps control dust.
- Prime where needed. Priming is important over stains, repairs, new drywall and when switching from a dark color to a lighter one. Clean, sound walls being repainted a similar color may not need a full prime coat.
- Paint in order. Many painters work from the top down: ceilings first, then walls, with trim either first or last depending on their method. Whatever order you choose, plan it so wet edges and drips can be cleaned before they set.
How to Wash Interior Walls
Generally, the glossier the finish, the easier it is to clean — so choosing sheen based on a room's use makes maintenance simpler. Dust walls regularly before wiping them down. Most paint manufacturers recommend a soft sponge and mild soapy water. For spot cleaning, a baking soda and water paste can be applied gently and rinsed. For greasy spots, mild dish detergent or a cleaner made for painted walls usually helps. Always test a cleaning method in an inconspicuous spot, such as behind a picture frame, first. For more detail, see our guide to cleaning wall stains.
How Much Paint Do You Actually Need?
It is common to buy too little or too much paint, but a simple estimate helps. Manufacturers list an approximate coverage rate per gallon. Find the area of each wall or ceiling (width × height), add them together and subtract areas you will not paint, such as doors and windows.
An Example
Say you are painting an accent wall 30 feet wide and 10 feet high with a door 3 feet wide and 7 feet high. The paint covers about 350 square feet per gallon, and you plan two coats.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Wall area | 30 ft × 10 ft | 300 sq ft |
| Door area | 3 ft × 7 ft | 21 sq ft |
| Paintable area | 300 − 21 | 279 sq ft |
| Two coats | 279 × 2 | 558 sq ft |
| Gallons needed | 558 ÷ 350 | 1.59 → round up to 2 gallons |
For a whole room, add the area of each wall. Many manufacturers offer paint calculators online, and paint stores can help with the math if you bring your measurements.
Other factors affect quantity. Deep colors, big color changes and absorbent surfaces such as new drywall or patched areas may need extra coats. Higher-quality paints are generally better pigmented and hide better, but the number of coats still depends on the surface and color change.
How Long Will Interior Paint Last?
Paint longevity depends on three main factors:
- Paint quality. Higher-quality paints are generally more durable and tend to cost more. Oil-based paints have traditionally been valued for a hard finish, but they contain more VOCs; modern water-based products have closed much of that gap for most interior uses.
- The paint job. Proper surface preparation reduces problems like cracking, peeling and visible repairs. Good prep is just as important as the paint itself.
- Room traffic. High-traffic rooms and hallways see more scuffs, chips and abrasion. Some paints are formulated for higher scrub and abrasion resistance, which is helpful in busy households.
Types of Interior Paint
Water-Based (Latex/Acrylic) Paint
Water-based paint is the most common choice for interior walls today, largely because it is easy to use. Many products are low-VOC and low-odor. It dries quickly, cleans up with water, resists yellowing and, in mildew-resistant formulations, suits damp rooms.
Oil-Based (Alkyd) Paint
Oil-based paints cure to a hard, durable finish and level well, which is why they have long been used on trim, doors and cabinetry. They have more VOCs and stronger odors, take longer to dry and clean up with mineral spirits. Many homeowners and painters now use waterborne alkyd or urethane-modified products for similar results with easier cleanup.
Color Ideas
With so many options, choosing colors can feel overwhelming. Color consultants and designers can guide you step by step, but you can also do it yourself with help from design magazines, websites and Pinterest. A few tips:
- Decide on the mood. Do you want a bright, cheerful room to offset long winters, or a darker, cozier space? The feeling you want will narrow the choices.
- Look at what is staying. Photograph existing furniture, finishes and accessories and build a mood board so colors work together.
- Play it safe with neutrals if you prefer. Whites and neutrals are timeless; a single accent wall is an easy way to try a bolder color.
- Consider wall texture. Lighter colors reflect more light and can reveal imperfections, while darker colors tend to hide them — though sheen also plays a big part.
- Use the color wheel. Red, blue and yellow are primary colors; orange, green and violet are secondary. Warm colors feel energetic, while cool colors feel calm.
Common Color Schemes
| Scheme | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Complementary | Two colors opposite each other on the wheel | Green and red |
| Analogous | Three colors next to each other | Orange, yellow and green |
| Triadic | Three colors evenly spaced around the wheel | Violet, green and orange |
| Split complementary | A base color plus the two colors beside its complement | Blue with yellow-orange and red-orange |
| Monochromatic | Tints and shades of a single hue | Several blues from light to dark |
| Tetradic | Two pairs of complementary colors, forming a rectangle on the wheel | Blue and orange with violet and yellow |
Color by Room
New colors are promoted every year, but many homeowners prefer something lasting. White remains a popular living room choice — even in homes with children — because it works with many finishes. Other living room palettes include gray walls with brighter accents such as yellow or chartreuse, taupe with blue and green or blue and orange accents, and beige with more vibrant accents.
Deeper, moodier palettes are often used in bedrooms, while calm blues remain a common choice for primary and guest bedrooms. Some homeowners go further with black, deep forest green or chocolate brown; lighter blues suit those who want a softer, restful room.
In kitchens, look to the cabinets for inspiration. Contrasting wall colors can work well with white or wood cabinets, and a backsplash area between upper and lower cabinets is a natural place for a splash of color.
Types of Paint Finishes
Once you have chosen your color, settle on the finish. Like color, sheen can make or break a room. Sheen names and levels vary by manufacturer, so compare samples within the same product line.
| Finish | Characteristics | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Flat / matte | Low reflectivity; hides imperfections and makes colors look rich; traditionally less washable, though some modern matte products are scrubbable | Ceilings, low-traffic walls |
| Eggshell | Subtle sheen; fairly easy to clean; one of the most common wall finishes | Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways |
| Satin | Slightly glossier and more velvety than eggshell in many lines (some brands use the terms loosely) | Family rooms, kids' rooms, baths |
| Semi-gloss | Noticeably reflective; durable and easy to wipe; highlights trim details | Trim, baseboards, doors, kitchens, baths |
| High-gloss | Most reflective, hardest and easiest to clean; shows every surface flaw | Doors, cabinetry, high-touch details |
A common approach is eggshell or satin on walls with semi-gloss on trim, baseboards and other architectural features to highlight them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important steps before painting a wall?
Beyond surface preparation, sample your colors. Use paint chips, paint a small area of the wall or a sample board, and look at it in natural daylight, artificial light and at night. It is far easier to change your mind before the room is painted.
What should I consider while painting?
Keep the work area clean and well ventilated to limit dust and paint odor, and follow the product's safety guidance. Wear a dust mask or respirator when sanding, and clothes you do not mind getting paint on. If you will continue the next day, wash or tightly wrap brushes and rollers.
What are the best painting tools?
Skip gimmicky gadgets and buy what you will actually use. Tools many DIY painters find helpful:
- Extension poles for rollers on tall walls and ceilings
- Good-quality brushes with a comfortable grip, which help reduce brush marks
- Pour spouts to limit spills from cans
- Touch-up pens for small missed spots
- Edging tools for tight corners and lines
- A five-gallon bucket and roller screen, so you can box (mix) several gallons for consistent color
- Rosin paper or drop cloths to protect wood, stone or tile floors
- A paint sprayer for large areas, if you are comfortable masking and controlling overspray
Can interior paint be used outside?
It is not recommended. Exterior paints are formulated with additives that help them handle UV exposure, moisture and temperature swings. Many manufacturers offer the same colors in both interior and exterior lines, so you can match colors without using the wrong product.
Can interior paint be used on furniture?
Often, yes. Bare or previously painted wood can accept both water-based and oil-based paints, so leftover interior paint can work for furniture projects. Clean, sand and prime first, and consider a harder trim-and-cabinet enamel for pieces that get heavy use.
Can interior paint dry in cold weather?
Temperature affects drying and curing. Many paints have a minimum application temperature — often around 35°F to 50°F depending on the product — and cool conditions slow drying. Inside a heated home this is rarely an issue, but unheated spaces, additions and garages can be. Check the product label, and do not let water-based paint freeze in storage.
Where can I buy interior paint?
Paint stores and home improvement stores carry a wide range of brands and product lines. If you hire a contractor, paint and materials are often included in their scope; they will confirm the color, product and sheen with you, so working closely with your contractor is important.
What is primer, and do I always need it?
Primer is a preparatory coat that helps paint adhere, seals porous surfaces, blocks stains and evens out color so finish coats look uniform. You do not always need a full coat: clean walls in good condition being repainted a similar color may only need spot priming over repairs. Stained walls, new drywall, patches and big dark-to-light color changes are good candidates for priming.