Best Paint by Project Type: Easy Guide
Completely lost trying to choose paint? Here is a quick and easy guide to selecting the right paint by project.
Choosing the right paint goes well beyond paint color!
When it comes to painting your home, you want to choose the right paint type for your project.
But with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you?
Whether you’re painting a room, refinishing a piece of furniture, or updating your front porch I’ll help you choose the perfect paint for the job.
Why should you trust me? I”m the QUEEN of Painting everything and worked in the paint industry in the group that trained the Lowe’s Home Improvement paint desk 🙂
This guide will help you decide which paint type is right for your next DIY paint project.
So get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive in!
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Differences Between Interior or Exterior Paint
When it comes to painting your home, you definitely want to use the right kind of paint for the job.
After all, you wouldn’t want to use an interior paint on your home’s siding – that would be a total disaster!
So what’s the difference between interior and exterior paint?
For starters, interior paint is specifically designed to stand up to the wear and tear of everyday life.
It’s also formulated to resist staining and fading, which is important since sunlight can often cause colors to fade over time.
In contrast, exterior paint is designed to withstand the elements, including harsh sunlight, wind, and rain.
It’s also made to be more durable plus expand and contract with temperature changes, so it won’t chip or peel.
When it comes to giving your outdoor furniture a makeover, paint is always a good option.
But what type of paint should you use – interior or exterior?
If you’re looking for a paint that will stand up to the elements, exterior paint is the way to go!
Exterior paint is specifically formulated to resist moisture, mildew, and fading, so it’s ideal for furniture that will be exposed to the outdoors.
So if you’re looking for a durable paint that will help your furniture last for years to come, exterior paint is the best option.
Which Paint Sheen is Right for Your Project
One of the most important decisions you’ll make is paint sheen! There is such a wide variety of paint finishes that it can be confusing.
The sheen of paint can affect everything from durability to washability to the overall look of your paint job.
A paint finish can also change the paint color. Really!
Gloss finishes make the paint look darker and most paint samples you buy are in a satin finish.
So what paint sheen should you use for your next project?
Flat Finishes: best for low-traffic areas like ceilings or walls that don’t need to be washed often. It has very little shine and is easy to touch up.
Eggshell / Satin Finishes: perfect for areas that see a little more action, like hallways or kids’ rooms. It’s more durable than flat paint and can be easily wiped down.
Semi-gloss Finishes: ideal for high-traffic areas and rooms that need to be scrubbed often, like trim and cabinets. It’s extremely durable and wipeable.
Gloss Finishes: a gloss or high-gloss finish is the most durable and cleanable option. However, it’s also the most difficult to touch up and shows imperfections.
No matter what type of paint job you’re doing, there’s a paint sheen that’s perfect for your project.
Luckily for you, I’ve got a GREAT sheen guide you can download here.
Even if you pick the right paint sheen for your project that is just one part of the process.
You want to apply it properly too! Using the correct paint roller cover will make a HUGE difference in the final finish.
Check out this GREAT tutorial all about paint roller covers by paint and project type: Are You Using the WRONG Paint Roller Cover?
Which paint type is best for the surface you’re painting?
If you want durable and long lasting results, you need to start with the right paint type.
When it comes to paint, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
The best paint type for a given surface will vary depending on the intended use and the desired finish.
For example, paint for walls should be different than paint for furniture or cabinets.
Likewise, paint for trim should be different than paint for ceilings.
quick guide: the best paint type by project
Walls
Paint for walls should be fade resistant, durable and easy to clean.
Plus you want a paint that is high quality, so it provides the best coverage in as few coats as possible.
You are better off spending a little more on a better paint to reduce the number of coats you have to apply.
In the long run this will save you money!
An eggshell or satin finish is best for hiding imperfections and resists stains.
Plus you can wipe off all of life’s little messes like food, scuffs, and splatters.
Ceilings
Paint for ceilings typically is a flat finish because it is best for disguising flaws.
You can choose to use a higher sheen to reflect light, but know it will also reflect imperfections on the ceiling and brush strokes.
Luckily paint that is designed for ceilings is already tinted in flat white.
Furniture
Paint for furniture should be durable and easy to clean. A semi-gloss finish is best for highlighting details and is cleanable.
I recommend a hybrid enamel specifically designed for furniture that doesn’t require a top coat and dries to a hard finish.
My favorite furniture paint is Valspar Cabinet & Furniture Enamel and it is rated for outdoor furniture too!
You can also you acrylic enamels, in a semi-gloss finish.
My favorite is Sherwin Williams ProClassic Acrylic Enamel and what I used on this project.
Here is one of my favorite furniture makeovers, where I transformed this cabinet from stain, then a white paint, and now this beautiful blue green paint color.
Chalk paint is often a favorite choice for furniture due to the claim that you can paint over any type of surface.
There are some drawbacks to chalk paint.
When not to use chalk paint:
Chalk paint is a popular choice for furniture makeovers, but it’s not always the best option.
Here are a few things to consider before using chalk paint:
- Chalk paint can be difficult to work with. If you’re not experienced with painting, you may find it hard to apply due to how thick it is.
- Chalk paints in many brands are limited in color options.
- Chalk paint has an extreme matte and rough surface that HAS to be top coated with a wax or polyurethane. This adds an extra step to your project and hours of dry time.
- If you don’t apply a primer before painting over a wood stain, it has a tendency to allow the stain to bleed through. This can ruin all of your hard work!
- Coated your chalk paint with several layers of wax to protect it? If you decide you want to re-paint a new color, my recommendation is to sand off the finish first.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use paint that will give you a smooth finish, chalk paint may not be the best option.
I’ve painted a couple of pieces with chalk paint and am happy to share my experience!
Here my guides to chalk paint:
- Why You Must Prime Before Chalk Paint
- My Solution to Stop Chalk Paint Bleed Through
- Yes! You Can Use Chalk Paint Over Stain
- Krylon Chalk Paint Video Review
Outdoor Furniture:
There are a couple of paint type options for outdoor furniture, so I am going to help you make the decision!
Let’s answer these simple questions:
- Is the outdoor furniture going to be exposed full time?
- Does the furniture have intricate details?
If the furniture is going to be exposed to all of the elements and isn’t undercover, please use paint that is rated for exterior applications.
This outdoor furniture is going to take the same beating as your home’s siding and trim, so you need to protect it!
Exterior paint can handle the exposure and my preference is you hand apply a couple of coats of paint, so the furniture is protected.
My favorite exterior rated paint is Valspar Duramax, which I used on the porch swing 3 years ago!
NO fading or peeling and it gets HOT afternoon sun and rained on in storms.
Contrast that with the sectional sofa, which has a TON of woven intricate detail.
The BEST option for detailed outdoor furniture is an exterior rated spray paint.
Can you believe I painted my outdoor resin wicker sectional?
YES! You can makeover your plastic wicker furniture:
HOW-TO SPRAY PAINT OUTDOOR RESIN WICKER FURNITURE (the right way!)
You’ll be surprised at how easy this project is!
Cabinets:
Paint for cabinets should be durable and easy to clean.
A semi-gloss finish is best for cabinets, but with the type of use cabinets get you want a paint that will dry to a really hard finish.
Just like for furniture I recommend a hybrid enamel for a smooth paint finish that is hard and durable.
Luckily, I have a TON of cabinet painting experience and tutorials for you to follow:
Trim:
Paint for trim typically is a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish because it is best for highlighting details and is easily cleaned.
Plus it’s going to be easier to dust too!
A rough texture flat paint would hang onto dirt and dust – yuck.
Choose a high quality latex paint for the best coverage.
Here is my favorite GRAB and GO trim and door paint in white.
Doors:
Paint for doors needs to be durable and tough enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
An interior semi-gloss paint is best for a smooth surface that is easy to wipe down.
This is important for how much wear and tear a door gets everyday.
For an exterior door, an outdoor rated hybrid enamel is your best option for fade resistance and durability.
Here is my FAVORITE exterior door paint that is durable and fade resistant.
Kitchens:
Paint for kitchen for kitchen walls should be stain-resistant and easy to clean.
A semi-gloss or high-gloss finish is best for withstanding spills and splatters.
You’ll want to be able to scrub off that cooking grease and red sauce stains.
Bathrooms:
Paint for bathrooms should be moisture-resistant and easy to clean.
A satin or semi-gloss finish is best for repelling water and resisting mildew.
Click Here for my Master Bathroom Remodel Info
There are some specialty paints that are specifically designed for high moisture areas, but I’ve always just used a basic latex paint in the right sheen to save some money.
It’s never been an issue!
Hallways:
Paint for hallways should be tough and easy to clean because they are such high traffic areas.
A semi-gloss finish or even a satin finish is best for withstanding traffic and for washability plus it isn’t too shiny,
Properly Preparing the Surface is the Key to Great Results
No matter what type of paint you use, the key to great results is in the prep work.
Be sure to properly clean and sand the surface before painting.
This will help the paint to adhere better and give you a more professional looking finish.
Step 1:
Clean the surface with a degreaser or deglosser for the best adhesion.
Step 2:
Lightly sand any surface imperfections to create a smooth finish.
Step 3:
Where needed, use wood filler or spackle to fill in holes on the surface.
Step 4:
Apply a primer before painting over stain, a glossy surface, or when making a drastic color change.
Now you Know the Best Paint Paint by Project
You are now well educated and can choose the right paint for every project around your home.
Plus you are armed with the best paint sheen options too!
If you are curious about paint applicators and tools, try these posts:
My goal is to help you avoid mistakes and take the pain out of painting and decorating 🙂
Luckily for you, I have a TON of paint tutorials for you!
With a little time and effort, you’ll be able to achieve the perfect finish for your home.
Here are more how-to paint posts!
Please consider following me on social media Instagram or Facebook for daily tips and project reveals.
Until next time,
Porch Daydreamer
Tracey