A Homeowner’s Guide to Purchasing the Right Amount of Paint…

There’s nothing which livens up lackluster walls than a fresh coat of paint! You’ve tirelessly combed through countless color swatches to determine whether Persnickety Pink or Mystic Mauve best complements your personality and living space. Before heading over to the paint counter, you have one more important, but easier to make decision! How much paint will I need?

Step 1
Measure the length of each wall in the room and add together for total perimeter.
Example: 14’ + 14’ + 16’ + 16’ = 60’

Step 2
Multiply the total perimeter by the height of your ceiling to find the total square footage.
Example: 60’ x 8’ = 480 square feet

Step 3
Multiply the width and height of all windows and doors and add together. (Helpful Hint: Standard doors are 20 square feet and windows 15 square feet.) So, let’s consider a room with 2 doors and 2 windows.
Example: 20’ + 20’ + 15’ + 15’ = 70 square feet

Step 4
Subtract the square footage of windows and doors from total square footage found in Step 2.
Example: 480’ – 70’ = 410 square feet

Although a typical gallon of paint will cover 400 square feet, you’ll need to check the label on your choice brand to be sure it’s up to the task. Don’t forget to factor in enough paint to handle a second coat! This is particularly crucial when making drastic changes in wall color, such as dark to light. Be sure to consult an experienced staff member at your paint store. With the right expertise, they can guide you in how much you’ll actually need to get the job done right the first time. No to mention, do you really want an extra gallon of Persnickety Pink lying around?