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How Much Paint Do I Need?

3 paint cans are shown with pink paint in them

A common question we are asked by DIYers in the wild is “How Many Gallons of Paint I will need?”

The answer to this question of course depends on your project and what surfaces you are doing, what color they are vs what color they are going, if it is an “extreme” color change, etc.

Before we get started, let me also tell you I can help you get contractor pricing for LIFE here!

a girl  in her professional paint clothes is shown using a tool to open a can of paint

The one thing I can tell you for sure about how much paint you will need is that it’s usually not anywhere close to what the paint store has quoted you. And that sh*t is too expensive to just go buying extra all willy-nilly like that!

Our general rule of thumb is that 1 gallon will do 2 coats of the walls of 1 “average” sized room. Average size may depend on your region and is subject to individual interpretation of course :)

a picture of paint gear is shown placed on a floor

Be Sure to Check Out Our Gear Guide for Additional Tips on Paint Estimating!

A bathroom will typically take less, and of course closets even less so! Rooms with taller ceilings or lots of different walls you can bank on slightly more as well.

Rooms that need more than 2 coats (ex: rooms going anything to white) will need more than 1 gallon for walls.

We usually take the number of average size rooms and then add in our bathrooms, closets, hallways calculation by discretion.

How many gallons of paint you will need for trim is subject to the same rules; fully dependent on how much trim you have (baseboards, window/door), and the number of coats you will need to do.

A common “trim” service we provide to our clients is a “1 coat refresh” on baseboards, whether it be to prepare a home for sale or for the client’s current enjoyment. This service generally will require simply one coat of paint. If we are tackling a condo project and doing all trim and doors, we may only need 1-2 gallons there as well. If you’re unsure of which paint is best to use on your walls or trim, make sure to get our free GEAR GUIDE.

 
a girl with a respirator leans over into frame with a "thumbs up" out of her paint spray booth
 

How many gallons of paint you will need for your project also highly depends on the method of application. If you are a brave enough soul to venture into spraying your own project (I do not recommend this for most projects for DIYers), you will need a pretty decent amount more paint than if applied by brush and roller, in most cases.

 
a before and after is shown of a room with ceiling, walls, trim, and cabinets painted
 

How many gallons of paint you will need to paint your cabinets again relies heavily on how large your kitchen or cabinet area is, and how many coats you will need to do. For example, in the kitchen above, we did two coats of primer to ensure that no tannin from the oak would seep through into the finish coats. We sprayed this kitchen, so the number of gallons was higher than it would have been if we applied the paint by brush/roller.

If you are looking to paint your cabinets, make sure to check out our lesson on “How to Paint Your Cabinets” here!

a girl is shown holding two sigs with dollar signs on them, and one floating above her head.

We discussed how expensive each gallon of paint can be, and if you’re here, chances are you already know!

What if I told you there was a way to get access to our contractor rates on all of your paint purchases going forward? Make sure to check out our Golden Ticket.

how much paint do I need? free gear guide will let you know how much paint you need

Top 10 Most Popular Whites Ebook
Sale Price: $19.99 Original Price: $39.99

Find the perfect white for every wall, trim, and trend.

Choosing a white paint color seems easy—until you’re staring at 200 nearly identical swatches in different lights. This beautifully designed guide takes the guesswork out of choosing the right white by breaking down the 10 most popular white paints used by designers and pros—plus 7 bonus shades that let you know which colors are equivalents of each other and similar whites to the different colors..

Inside, you’ll find:

  • Clear descriptions of each white’s undertone, warmth, and light reflectance

  • Real room photos for easy visual comparison

  • Tips on pairing whites with wood tones, flooring, and countertops

  • Suggestions for which whites work best with dated finishes from different decades and trends

  • Guidance on sheen impact and selection

Whether you're painting a modern new build or refreshing a dated home, this ebook can help you avoid costly mistakes and confidently choose the right white—no regrets.

Golden Ticket
Sale Price: $39.99 Original Price: $79.99

Uplevel your DIY projects with:

-LIFETIME access to the same contractor rates as we have at any:

  • Canada -Dulux or Sherwin Williams

  • USA - Sherwin Williams

-This is more than your basic contractor pricing. We have been working with these suppliers since 2010 and have established AMAZING discounts on our top-recommended products

-Pays for itself usually with the purchase of JUST TWO gallons at our discounted rates!

*Always make sure to check account pricing before having any paint tinted. Costs will vary according to product, make sure to choose a product that fits in your project budget.

Virtual Color Consultation
from $149.00

Expert color advice from the comfort of your home.

Choosing paint colors shouldn’t feel overwhelming—or like a guessing game. Our Virtual Color Consultation takes the stress out of selecting the perfect colors, whether you’re refreshing a single room or revamping your entire home. Guided by an experienced designer with a background in the trades, we offer custom-tailored recommendations that align with your lighting, finishes, style, and goals.

Options:

  • 1 Room (1 Color) - Choose this if you are in need of ONE color for ONE room or area. This could be an option for your entire home IF hard finishes (counters, tiles, flooring, cabinets) are the same and/or are matching throughout your home.

  • Room + 1 (2 Colors) - Choose this if you need ONE main color and one accent color for a room or area. Main color + accent color for a wall for example OR wall color & trim color

  • Full Color - (up to 3 Colors) - Choose this option if you have a home that needs one main color but also needs an accent color AND/ OR an entirely different color for different rooms due to mismatched surfaces or Renos done on certain rooms.

What's Included:

  • A simple client intake form to understand your space, style, and needs

  • Photo or video submission instructions to help us “see” your space clearly

  • Personalized color recommendations

  • A selection with brand-specific paint names and finishes (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, etc.)

  • Testing Tips

    *3-5 Business Day Turnaround After Qualified Photos Received
    You Will Receive Instructions on Hoe to Proceed Once We Receive Your Payment

Read More