Are you falling for these house painting myths?

It doesn’t seem that complicated on the surface, but painting a house or office appears to conjure many ideas that are mythical at best and dangerous at worst. Here are some house painting myths worth debunking before anyone picks up a paintbrush.

Busted: adding essential oil to the paint makes it smell better

In addition to being a waste of essential oils, it’s a detriment to your paint because it’ll never mix properly. For one, paint isn’t like water where you can shake up just about anything into it. Oil-based paints become even more problematic because you’re literally trying to mix oil and water. 

Two, fragrances and essential oils often contain alcohol, making them impossible to mix with some paints’ binding agents, dyes, and makeup. 

If you’re trying to reduce the paint smell, we’ve got some thoughts on that worth reading. Just know most modern paints are engineered to be low-VOC and reduce strong odors.

Busted: you can’t or shouldn’t paint in the cold

It’s less a problem here in parts of the East Bay and California, but the myth is you can’t paint when it’s below 50 degrees because the paint somehow loses its adhesive qualities.

Modern paint doesn’t have that problem in cold temperatures. There’s a point where it’s too cold to paint, but it’s more about your comfort than the paint’s.

Busted: you can save old paint for later touch-ups

You can save your paint for a little while, but after about six months it’ll lose its luster and color qualities due to settling. Paint wants to be applied and dry. 

And after about a year, you can still apply it, but you’ll notice the touch-up spot on your wall because dust, light, and more will change the quality of your walls, too. 

You can extend the life of your old leftover paint by keeping them tightly sealed in a climate-controlled area, like an interior closet or basement instead of an unheated or uncooled garage. But after 2 years, it’ll lose its original effectiveness. You’re better off sampling the paint on the wall, getting a small batch, and repainting the area up to the corners, ceiling, and floor.

Busted: finding the right color is too overwhelming

We hear this from some people on occasion, and while it might be intimidating to choose colors, it’s also comfortably formulaic. 

You could create a mood board and paint samples on the wall and get the opinion of all your siblings, aunts, neighbors, and cousins. 

Or, you could narrow it down by asking yourself what compliments your existing furniture. 

For help, ask our professional painting services team for some guidance. If you decide to accept a quote from us, we can send a color coordinator directly to your door.

One mini-myth is dark colors make a room look small and, subsequently, light colors make a small room look larger. That’s not entirely true. Dark walls can be extremely inviting when done well.

Paint means a fresh start and the perfect paint color depends on your floors, decor, and style. Dark colors go well with certain lighting conditions, accent walls can be strategically placed depending on size, and most homeowners can make a decision in a few hours. 

It’s also important to consider whether you intend to move soon since neutral colors are better for house staging.

Busted: you don’t need to paint if you’re selling your house

A fresh coat of paint color and painting the trim white can make every room bright and inviting. 

If you’ve got walls or doors with scuffs, or if they’re faded or colors that are anything but neutral, you probably need to bring in a professional painting company like Woodiwiss to get things in shape. 

Buyers will be more likely to find your house “move-in ready” if they’re in perfect shape, which translates to a higher buying price.

Painting your house might be the best ROI you do for selling your house short of finding gold under the driveway.

A freshly painted set of cabinets will make the kitchen pop, especially for listing photos. 

Busted: glossy paint is the most durable

Durability isn’t entirely the right word. Different types of paint have different applications and usages, but in most cases, in the interior of your home, you’ll find any high-quality paint durable. 

We use top-tier brands like Benjamin Moore and our only guidance is to choose a semi or high-gloss paint for extremely humid rooms, like bathrooms. But even that isn’t necessary anymore for lasting results.

To improve durability and get a smooth coat, using a primer and applying two coats of paint will do more in the long run to preserve the walls and color.

Busted: the paint brand doesn’t matter

As a rule we don’t even bother touching low-quality paints because we know that any painting project will fall apart within a few months or a couple of years. That means we’re just going to have to come back sooner and while that might be good for our business short-term, it’s not the kind of business we run.

We also apply paints properly, but using a primer on exterior surfaces when necessary and ensuring every interior wall surface is clean. This means high-quality paints can last a decade, even with occasional light cleaning. 

Paint technology has advanced a lot over the last twenty years. Trying to save money by choosing the $10/gallon of paint over the $30/gallon paint is a costly mistake.