This is the time of year when most of us take a good look at our homes and start planning a room refresh. We’re spending more time inside, the holiday decorations have come down and we have the time. And all the major paint manufacturers have released their 2022 colour predictions so that may have got you thinking about paint.
If you’re getting your home ready for sale, paint can be an easy way to update your space without investing in a renovation. I get asked a lot to share my favourite paint recommendations.
Benjamin Moore is one of my favourite paint manufacturers and they have a strong following with both designers and homeowners. There are paint colours that have become known as the favourites and many of us have developed a deep adoration.
While they’re not the only great paint manufacturer, today I’m focusing just on Benjamin Moore and some of the benefits and features of their paint. Here are my top picks:
MY FAVOURITE WHITE – for the last 10 years, white walls and white cabinetry has been a popular design option. As a result, we’ve all been on the hunt for the very best white. The one that has no undertone in it. This means that we can rely on it to work well as a backdrop for all our other design decisions. For me, the winner is Chantilly Lace. It’s clean and bright and you don’t get any undertones. It works well on walls, cabinetry or baseboards so it’s a reliable go-to.
MY FAVOURITE NEUTRALS – neutrals are always popular but again, finding great neutrals that don’t have unwanted undertones is a challenge. Classic Gray, Swiss Coffee, Pale Oak and Gray Owl are my favourites. They deliver the calm and serene suggestion of colour without committing to full colour. Although these colours have definite undertones, they can work within a variety of colour schemes
MY FAVOURITE COLOURS – Colour is making a comeback in our homes. Whether it’s cabinetry or your walls, colour can dramatically change your space. If you’re hesitant, try using a colour like Kendall Charcoal or Boothbay Gray. They are gray and extremely easy to live with but they bring some drama in the form of safety. Want to go a bit more bold? Cushing Green is my favourite. It definitely says colour but it won’t overwhelm you like a bold colour such as yellow might. Maybe it’s because green is reflective of nature and is lovely to live with in our homes.
Here are some of the things to consider when shopping for paint:
PRICE – how many of us have made our paint decisions based on price? Probably most of us at one time or another. The adage of “you get what you pay for” is so true when it comes to paint. Do the math on what it costs in the end with a paint that requires four coats versus one or two coats. There is a false economy when you get an inferior product that takes more of your time or even worse, more of your money paying a painter to apply the extra coats.
In Canada a gallon of Benjamin Moore Aura paint (the most expense in their catalogue of paints) is in the neighbourhood of $95/gallon. Regal Select is another very popular option with homeowners and is a bit more reasonable at approximately $82/gallon.
COLOURS – have you ever colour matched a Benjamin Moore paint at another retailer? There’s a reason we do that. The colour selection at Benjamin Moore is immense. Benjamin Moore has 140 shades of just white!!!!!
They have over 3500 unique colours in their collections. I’d say you should be able to find what you’re looking for.
COVERAGE – this is where we start to see the value in what you’re buying. As mentioned above, many other paint manufacturers don’t compare in coverage. They’re thin and they run, leaving drip marks across your walls.
Benjamin Moore has great coverage in their paints. Even so, there are colours that will always cause coverage issues – bright, clean colours are more transparent than colours that have dark or muddy undertones to them.
If you decide to use a fresh, bright yellow, red, green or blue you’ll need to plan for extra coats, regardless of the paint you select.
A gallon of Benjamin Moore paint is advertised as covering approximately 400-450 square feet. Even with a deeply saturated colour, a gallon will easily do an average sized room.
DURABILITY – Compared to many other paint retailers, Benjamin Moore is superior in their durability and washability.
If you need a paint with an extra insurance policy for high traffic areas Scuff X is their go-to for washability without fading or shine.
AVAILABILITY – Regardless of where in North America you live there is bound to be a Benjamin Moore retailer close by. They have over 7500 independently owned paint stores across North America.
Benjamin Moore has outstanding research and development teams that focus on quality manufacturing. I think it’s safe to say you couldn’t really go wrong with them.
If you’re planning on painting anywhere in your home, take a look at my suggestions. I always recommend either buying the large paint samples or taking a small tester home to try it out. Factors like the amount of light in your space will impact the colour decisions. Each home is different so this small step can alert you to issues before you commit to the buying a gallon.
If you feel intimidated by the selection, maybe a colour consultation is right for you.
Happy painting!
