Many homeowners assume that white paint should cover just as well as any other color, or even better, because of its simplicity. However, this isn't always the case. The reality is that white paint's translucency can sometimes make it more challenging to achieve solid coverage, especially over darker or bold colors.
Colors like red, green, blue, and orange can be particularly stubborn, often bleeding through lighter topcoats if not properly prepared. Covering these colors usually requires multiple coats of paint and careful surface preparation.
White colour can reflect a lot of light, causing glare. This can be especially problematic in rooms with a lot of natural light or in rooms with reflective surfaces like mirrors or windows. This glare can be hard on the eyes and make it difficult to relax or work in a space.
Single-stage White Paint Is Hard
There are numerous factors that determine the hardness of paint; in the case of white paint, Titanium Dioxide Powder is used as the pigmentation, which is a very hard material in and of itself.
The surface you're painting on can also impact coverage. Porous surfaces, such as new drywall or bare wood, can absorb paint, requiring more coats to achieve a uniform look. Surfaces with textures or previous layers of dark paint can also make it more challenging for white paint to cover completely.
ALL whites take 3-4 coats to cover midtone gray and some colors of white are 5. White is common these days. Everyone seems to be trying to switch to a fresh white pallet instead of relying on trendy colors.
Light-colored paint colors on walls, such as bright white, can be unforgiving. Many light paint hues do nothing to hide dirt or imperfections.
White is described as cold, bland, and sterile. Rooms painted completely white can seem spacious, but empty and unfriendly. Hospitals and hospital workers use white to create a sense of sterility. Ignoring COVID, ask yourself, do you really want to live in a sterile environment?
On the negative side, white can seem stark, cold, and isolated. Others perceive it to be unfriendly, empty, barren, and even mournful. Consider how a large, white, empty room might seem boring, bland, and uninviting.
Dark colors of paint hide drywall imperfections because light gets absorbed into the paint instead of reflecting off it, helping conceal dirt, smudges and fingerprints. Great dark colors include: Navy.
Painting over dark walls with a white paint colour is one of the most transformative ways to decorate a room. It completely alters the atmosphere from intimate and moody to bright and uplifting, providing your home with a rejuvenated feeling.
Beige: The Neutral Backbone of Any Room
This versatile neutral never goes out of style because it effortlessly complements any space while adding warmth and balance. Its ability to blend into different décor styles has made it a go-to for creating cozy, welcoming rooms.
Based off our rule of thumb, two coats of paint is the absolute minimum you'll want for your walls. However, the material and previous colour of the wall can both influence this number – for unfinished drywall, for example, you'll want to add a coat of primer or undercoat paint too.
Can I paint over old paint? That's something we get asked all the time by our clients. In short, the answer is yes. That is, if the walls beneath are white, smooth, and stain-free – which, if you're in the process of repainting, they probably aren't.
Add one drop of black pigment to it and you'll get the best white paint color you've ever used. Sounds crazy, but I swear by it.
WHITE PAINT TRENDS OF 2024: A New Era for White Paint
Tiffany Monreal, one of our expert designers at Revive, sums it up: “Yes, white paint is still trending, but it's all about moving toward warmer and softer shades in 2024.” This shift reflects a broader design trend—creating spaces that feel lived-in and welcoming.
The tradition of wearing white dates back over 400 years, to when painters used to make their own paint. The oxides and powders used were often white, because many other hues simply were not possible. To look cleaner, painters would wear light coloured clothing.
Home Exterior Colors to Avoid
There are still unpopular colors that might reduce the value of your home to a greater extent when painted on your exterior. Some of the colors to avoid include shades of pink, brick red, straw yellow, dark greens, and any exceedingly dark and bold pellets.
In conclusion, painting your home white has many benefits, including increasing light and space, creating a neutral background for your décor, and increasing its resale value.
Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
Matte: A low-luster finish that's less durable, but easy to clean, touches up well, and hides minor surface imperfections.
To achieve a bright white finish, use a combination of products from General Finishes paint system. For example, put down 2 coats of Stain Blocking Primer followed by two coats of Snow White Milk Paint or Brushable White enamel, or 2 coats of White Under Coat, followed by two coats of White Poly.
A: Washing your walls is an important step in the painting process. If it isn't done properly or done at all, it can negatively impact your final paint job because paint cannot adequately adhere to a dirty surface. Over time, your walls can get covered in dust, dirt, and grime.
Painting over dark colors can be a pain so be sure to use a high-quality primer! If you're reading this wondering how the heck you're going to cover the bright red paint in your guest bathroom, try a tinted primer! You might have to do several primer coats before you're finished with this step, though.