It's no secret that white is in. White walls, white cabinets, white furniture...the obsession with a bright fresh interior is here and it's here to stay. So you might ask, how the H are people keeping their houses remotely clean?! I don't know about you but with children, pets or life's general mishaps, white can be a very intimidating color choice BUT choosing the right paint can make it all possible. Today I'm sharing all my painting tips and my go-to products to give you the most durable (and washable) surfaces! Yes, washable!
LET'S TALK PAINT.
If choosing the right color isn't enough stress, you must now choose a product and if you've ever been to a paint store, you know that there are exactly one trillion paint bucket options all at various price points. If you have been following along at all, you know that I don't always believe in the "you get what you pay for" mentality. However, with paint this is 100% accurate. Relatively speaking, paint is considered to be cheap but should be viewed as an investment to your home. Nobody goes into a paint project wanting to repaint within 3 years, which is why choosing the right product is crucial.
GLOSSY OR MATTE?
The question of sheen is one I get all the time and does make a huge difference in the durability of the surface. Below is a quick cheat sheet on what sheen should go where, however there are exceptions.
MATTE/FLAT: Typically only used for ceilings. Some contractors try to use flat paint on walls as it does conceal drywall imperfections better than an eggshell - however it also shows every greasy fingerprint your kid might leave behind. It also has close to no washable characteristics since the stain can actually absorb into the paint.
EGGSHELL/SATIN: This is the most popular wall finish paint sheen. It hides drywall imperfections, but still gives you a slightly higher sheen for cleanability. Should not be used on trim or doors.
SEMI-GLOSS: The doors, trim and cabinet paint. TIP: to add durability to your walls, consider going up a sheen to semi-gloss to give you a more washable surface. Stains are less likely to be absorbed into the paint and can be scrubbed and washed off much easier than Eggshell. Semi-gloss should also be used in bathrooms where they may be water/humidity.
GLOSSY: Used for accents only such as wall accents or possibly cabinets.
TOP PAINT PICKS FOR (durable) INTERIOR WALLS:
PPG Diamond: $26.98/gallon
2. Behr Premium Plus: $31.98/gallon
3. Valspar Signature High Hiding Paint + Primer: $36.98/gallon
4. Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior: $58.99/gallon
5. Sherwin Williams Cashmere Interior Acrylic: $60.49/gallon
*This is pricey but gives SUCH a smooth luxurious finish. Great for Master Bedrooms or Dining Rooms where you want to add that high end look!
