
Using quality paint is as important as choosing the right color. Better-quality paints provide better coverage, are more durable and are easier and quicker to apply (fewer paint runs and drips, and fewer coats).
On interior surfaces, use True Value EasyCare® Ultra Premium Interior Paint. Your local True Value hardware store’s Certified Color Experts® can answer questions you have about paint and paint color and provide advice on how to paint light over dark or vice versa. While you're there, you can pick up a Custom Mixed Color Sample to try a few colors on your walls at home. Color samples allow you to paint a small space and live with different options for a few days before making your decision. You can also pick up Idea Cards, which have predetermined palettes ready for you; Trend Cards for the latest colors; or Stripe Cards, which show various shades of the same color.
You can also experiment online with True Value's interactive Color Visualizer. There you can preview how colors will look before you paint by changing paint colors and furniture to reflect different moods. Our Color Selection Tool features a color wheel with every color in the True Value® paint palette.
When painting the exterior of your home, use an exterior latex paint such as True Value EasyCare® Ultra Premium Exterior Paint If you will be painting masonry, such as brick, concrete or stucco, paint with True Value EasyCare® Ultra Premium Exterior Masonry/Stucco Paint. If you have wood siding on your home, use a latex paint such as True Value EasyCare® Ultra Premium Exterior Paint.
Once you've decided what colors you are going to use, you'll need to know how much to buy. When estimating, a good rule of thumb is to multiply the length of each surface by its height and add another 30 percent for good measure. Typically, one gallon of paint will cover 400 square feet. Buy more than you think you need; you can always use the extra for touch-ups.
Helpful Tip
Use the True Value paint calculator to estimate how much paint you need.