If you’re getting ready to paint your interior walls, you’re probably wondering about the best paint brands for getting a beautiful finish.
I’m here to help! I’ve done quite a bit of research to help you find the best paint for interior walls, and I’m going to share my findings with you today.
When it comes to painting, the product you use can make a big difference in coverage, durability, and more. But don’t worry, we’re going to break it all down shortly.
First, let’s go over my top brand choices. Then we’ll talk about what to look for in an interior wall paint, tools you’ll need to get started, and more.
Without further delay, let’s get started!
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Top Picks: Best Paint Brands for Interior Walls
1. Top Pick: Regal Select by Benjamin Moore ($$$)
2. Runner Up: Valspar Signature ($)
3. Low VOC: Behr Premium Plus Low VOC ($)
4. Accent Walls: Aura by Benjamin Moore ($$$)
5. Covering Old Paint: Marquee by Behr ($$)
6. Value: Ben by Benjamin Moore ($$)
7. Budget: Glidden Essentials Interior Paint ($)
8. Amazon Pick: The Spruce Best Home by KILZ Interior Paint & Primer in One ($)
9. Best Ceiling Paint: HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Ceiling Paint at Lowe’s ($)
10: Best Direct-to-Consumer: Clare Paint ($$)
*Note: Each pick is rated by price, $ being on the lower end of the price range and $$$ being on the higher end.
Related: The Best Places to Shop for Paint Online (No Hardware Store Required!)
1. Regal Select by Benjamin Moore
Our top pick of the ten best paint brands, Regal Select by Benjamin Moore is a paint and primer together. Though on the pricier end of the spectrum, it has great flow and leveling, and the durability is outstanding, no matter the finish.
It’s a fast dry paint, so you can recoat quickly. Plus, there are zero VOCs and the odor is minimal.
Regal Select comes in a number of different sheens, from flat to semi-gloss, so it’s a great choice for any room in the house.
2. Valspar Signature
Signature High-Hiding Paint + Primer is more budget-friendly, and it delivers ScuffShield™ Technology with remarkable coverage.
This paint displays rich colors that resist fading, all while holding up to wear and tear. It’s ideal for interior walls and ceilings, as well as previously painted (or bare) drywall, plaster, masonry, and primed metal.
Valspar Signature comes in a number of different sheens, from flat to semi-gloss.
3. Behr Premium Plus Low VOC
PREMIUM PLUS is highly ranked by independent 3rd party labs and meets LEED and GREENGUARD® GOLD requirements.
In addition to a low odor paint, it offers exceptional durability and hide with a finish that resists mildew and stains.
Behr PREMIUM PLUS is pretty affordable, and it comes in a number of different sheens, from flat to high-gloss, making it a great choice for any room in the house.
4. Aura by Benjamin Moore
Aura by Benjamin Moore uses Proprietary Color Lock® Technology for more brilliant, richer colors that stay true over time, making it a popular choice for those who want a beautiful, bold hue.
However, it is a little on the spendy side, so most people opt to use it on an accent wall while using a more budget-friendly paint brand for the rest of the house.
You can get Aura in matte, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss.
5. Marquee by Behr
Behr’s most advanced paint and primer, Marquee boasts a one-coat guarantee. It’s in the mid-price range, and is available in over 1,000 colors and five different finishes, ranging from matte to semi-gloss, including a ceiling flat.
6. Ben by Benjamin Moore
Ben by Benjamin Moore is a waterborne interior paint + primer that’s both user friendly and budget-friendly, making it a popular option among DIYers. You can get it in flat, eggshell, or semi-gloss, so it’s a great choice for any room in the house.
7. Glidden Essentials Interior Paint
Glidden Essentials is another budget-friendly paint for repainting interior walls, painting between tenants, or for a quick room refresh. It’s easy to apply, low VOC and low odor, and is a paint and primer in one.
8. The Spruce Best Home by KILZ Interior Paint & Primer in One
The Spruce Best Home Interior Paint & Primer in One is a premium low VOC, low odor, 100% acrylic product.
It is easy to apply and is long lasting. Once dry, its stain resistant film is washable and easy to clean.
This paint provides excellent coverage and is great for touch-ups. Dry paint film is also mildew resistant, so it’s a smart option for your home.
Budget-friendly and available on Amazon, it is available in matte, eggshell, and semi-gloss, making it a great choice for any room in the house.
9. HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Ceiling Paint
Also budget-friendly, this stain-blocking paint and primer formula can easily cover up old stain on ceilings in just one coat.
This is the only Sherwin-Williams paint that is available at Lowe’s.
It’s great for both flat and textured ceilings, and its spatter-resistant formula minimizes clean up time by keeping paint on the roller and off of you.
10. Clare Paint
The quality of this self-priming paint is impressive, it goes on nice and thick, and there’s little to no odor and zero VOCs. It’s only available online, but they do offer mess-free, peel and stick paint swatches that you can try first.
Clare paint is in the mid-price range of the ten best paint brands and comes in a flat ceiling paint, eggshell for the walls, or semi-gloss for trim.
What to Look for in Interior Paint
When choosing the best paint for interior walls, there are a few different things to consider:
- price vs. your budget
- formula
- finish/sheen
Formula
There are a few different formula options to consider:
- latex (acrylic or water-based)
- oil (solvent based or alkyd)
- low-VOC
Most interior wall paints are latex, which is perfectly suitable for DIYers. For those who are more health-conscious, you might want to look for a low-VOC formula, meaning the manufacturer removed the solvents that contain volatile organic compounds.
Finish (Sheen)
Each paint brand will likely offer at least a few different finish options.
The most common sheens:
- flat/matte (no shine)
- eggshell (most popular, low shine)
- satin (medium shine)
- semi-gloss (shiny)
- high gloss (glasslike sheen)
The finish you choose will depend on the amount of shine you would like, as well as the durability/washability required. The shinier the finish, the more durable and scrubbable it will be. However, flat and matte finishes are more forgiving and are better at hiding flaws.
Pro Designer Tip: In high traffic areas, such as hallways, and also rooms where you’ll need to be able to wipe the walls clean (the kitchen, for example), I’d recommend choosing a satin or semi-gloss finish.
Tips on Prepping Walls for Paint
Unfortunately, painting your walls isn’t just a matter of applying the paint. If you want them to end up looking halfway decent, you’ll want to take a few steps toward prepping your walls for paint:
- Dust and clean the walls using a vacuum and/or damp microfiber cloth.
- Wash the walls before painting (scroll down to the next section for more info).
- Scrape any cracked or flaking paint with a paint scraper.
- Use a piece of sandpaper stapled to a sanding block (or use an electric sander) to smooth away minor imperfections.
- Fill in holes with spackle, then sand it smooth once it has dried.
- Remove outlet covers and protect fixtures and trim with painter’s tape.
- Apply a coat of primer if needed (to hide blemishes or paint over a dark color, for example).
For a gorgeous, perfectly smooth wall, be sure to fill in holes with spackle (like in the below photo) then sand it smooth.
Why Do You Need to Wash Walls Before Painting?
This step is often skipped by homeowners and pros alike, although you’ll end up with the best results if you prep and clean before applying the first coat.
While you might be able to get away with simply dusting off cobwebs, paint will adhere better to a perfectly clean, smooth wall.
You might not have to wash the walls before painting if:
- there’s no excessive dust
- there are no grease stains
- the house doesn’t have a wood burning fireplace
- the wall has little to no contact with hands
- no pets live in the house
- it’s not a kitchen or bathroom
In a room where cooking or showering/bathing takes place, you should always wash the walls with vinegar or a mild soap and water before painting them.
If the walls aren’t properly washed and prepped, several months or years down the road, you might notice bubbling or flaking paint, even in the best paint brands.
In a room where cooking or showering/bathing takes place, you should always wash the walls with vinegar or a mild soap and water before painting them.Click To TweetHelpful Tools & Supplies
In addition to the best brand of paint, there are a few supplies you’ll want to grab before getting started:
– primer (if needed)
– paint can opener
– stir sticks
– paint tray and liners
– gloves
– drop cloth
– microfiber cloth (for cleaning)
– sandpaper/sanding tool
– spackle
You’ll find the full paint supply list right here, complete with helpful tips and product recommendations.
Final Thoughts on the Best Paint for Walls
In this article, we’ve discussed the best paint brands for interior walls, things you need to do before getting started, and some helpful tools to have on hand.
Is there anything else you’d like to know about getting started painting your home’s interior? Let us know in the comments!
Read more:
What’s the Best Paint Sheen for Bathrooms?