Determine how much paint you will need.
Planning to whitewash a charcoal gray wall? When transitioning from dark to light, you will most likely need more paint. Carolyn Noble, color marketing and design manager at Pratt & Lambert, adds that a deep color foundation typically requires more layers of paint than a lighter hue. She suggests adding a gray-tinted primer to the surface before painting your walls with a strong color to assist limit the amount of applications. You may have heard that the glossier the finish, the higher the coverage rate, but it doesn’t make a difference in the amount of gallons you need to buy, according to Minchew.
If you’re painting a heavily textured surface rather than a smooth one, Julianne Simcox, Pratt & Lambert associate brand manager, recommends purchasing a bit extra. Cabinets with intricate millwork need additional paint; Minchew recommends ordering approximately 10% more than anticipated.