A guide on picking paint for your interior

Let’s take a look.

Interior painting refers to painting done in the inner parts of a building. It involves painting in areas such as living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and offices.

To paint your inner spaces, you will need to know the types of paint there are, and if you get stuck on what type of paint to use for a certain part of your interior, our contractors at Daibau are readily available to guide you. Here are the types of paints to take note of.

Types of paint bases

Oil based paint

These types of paints contain solvents as the base which cause odors and fumes. They are inexpensive and remain vibrant for a long time due to their stain-resisting capacities which makes them good for stain-prone surfaces. However, oil based paints take long to dry and are difficult to clean.

Water based paint

Water based paints have water as their base and do not produce odours and fumes. For this reason, and because they dry fast and are easy to clean, they are ideal for interior painting.

Types of paint finishes

Flat/matte paint finishes

Matte paints are perfect for flawed and blemished walls, as they absorb light and leave no shine or reflection that could highlight flaws. They are the least expensive paint option and are easy to work with. As pleasant as this may sound, they should not be chosen just for their affordability as they do not tolerate stains. Any attempt to clean stains may lead to damage. Hence, they are only ideal for low traffic areas like offices, dining rooms and especially ceilings. If you have toddlers, flat paints are not the best option because with toddlers, the walls are at a larger risk of stains.

Eggshell

Just like a typical eggshell, eggshell paints are minimally shiny. They are a good option for imperfect walls and are more durable than the flat paints due to their ability to withstand cleaning. As a consequence, they can be used for higher traffic areas like living rooms and hallways.

Satin paint finishes

Satin paint finishes are more reflective than flat and eggshell finishes. They are easy to clean and as such are suitable for high traffic areas and children’s rooms. They are more difficult to apply than the flat and eggshell finishes and require professional touch, which is why our professionals at Daibau are readily available to aid you.

Semigloss paint finishes

These finishes are shiny, reflective, very durable and easy to clean. They are water resistant and can be used for areas that contain moisture like kitchens and bathrooms. Due to their reflectiveness, they highlight flaws and are therefore not suitable for walls with imperfections.

High gloss paint finishes

High gloss paint finishes are the most durable of the paint finishes. They are highly shiny and reflective and as such will make every blemish extra noticeable. They are also easy to clean and are typically not used on large surface areas, but on high traffic areas like cupboards, doors and cabinets.

Factors to consider when picking a paint for your interior

Color

Most people factor in colour when picking paint for their interior. However, are you all about fancy when choosing colours? Or are you about suitability? A way to play safe is to settle for neutral colours or colours that will match up with your existing or preferred color scheme. Be weary of using bright colours for kitchen walls due to kitchen activities that can cause stains. You could also sample colours before painting so that you avoid regrets.

Durability

Durability matters, but knowing what type of paint is durable for the different parts of your interior matters more. For instance, in terms of traffic, semi-gloss paints or satin paints are durable for busy areas, while secluded or calmer areas can get away with flat paints or eggshells.

Sheen

If youd rather have your room toned down from natural light, you want to go for a matte paint or eggshell. However, if you think your room is too dark and would have it brightened, you should go for a semi-gloss paint as its reflective capacity will brighten your room.

Coverage/coatings

Considering the coatings required to paint your interior will help you know the volume of paint you will need. For interiors, two coats are generally permissible. However, if you are painting over a surface for the first time or covering a dark paint with a light one, you should opt for three coats as it ensures more sustainability.

Blemish/washability

Essentially, a point to recall is that, the more shine of the paint, the more it highlights imperfections on surfaces and the easier to clean it is.

Congrats!

Now you know all it takes to pick paint for your interior. When next you do that, bask in the confidence that you can not go wrong. However, to ease you of the stress and the possibility of errors, we advice that you contact us as we have professionals who will be happy to help you navigate through your painting needs.

Contact us today, and receive unending compliments from guests!