When you decide to update your look, maybe refresh your office or where the kids “do school”, how do you choose between all of the options out there? Ultimately you want an inviting look and durability with fresh new colors to create your “inside the walls” sanctuary.
Top Questions to consider:
- Is Zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) important? It is.
- Are you covering pre-painted, darker color walls?
- Do you want to avoid primer?
- Is the paint durable and washable?
- Will it go on in one coat?
- Will I need to mortgage my home to buy it?
Most Wilco Stores* offer Benjamin Moore paint in numerous finishes (Eggshell, Flat/Matte, Satin, Semi-gloss and High gloss). You can visit a Wilco Benjamin Moore Color Center to browse swatches, look through ideas and color combination examples, see what’s new and talk with a specialist to get just the look you want and make an informed choice. Wilco offers Benjamin Moore Aura, Regal Select and Ben.
Flat/Matte
Pros: Give a smooth and subtle finish that hides imperfections, diffuses light
Cons: Holds onto dirt making it harder to clean
Best Use: Ceilings, formal dining, adult bedrooms
Eggshell/Pearl
Pros: Smooth low sheen with subtle finish, best for low traffic areas
Cons: Not as easy to clean up if marked or marred
Best Use: Living room, bedroom, dining room
Satin
Pros: Very versatile, can be wiped clean
Cons: Can’t be scrubbed without changing texture or losing coverage
Best use: Kitchen, dining room, bedroom, hallway, living room, family room, mud/laundry room
Semi-gloss
Pros: Ideal for high-traffic areas, reflects light, can be scrubbed clean
Cons: Might be too bright if room has bright lighting
Best use: Trim and molding, doors, kitchen cabinets, utility rooms
Gloss/High Gloss
Pros: Ideal for high traffic areas, can be scrubbed clean
Cons: Not great for large wall surfaces because of reflectivity
Best use: Trim and molding, doors, kitchen cabinets, utility rooms
Most often, a combination of finishes is what does the job best. An office, for instance, can really benefit from flat or Matte finish on the ceiling and satin (sometimes Pearl) on the walls. This reduces reflection from the ceiling but allows for some luxury and luster, without being too bright and reflective, on the wall coatings.
Regal Select interior paint has been a trusted brand for more than 50 years. It sits in the middle of the Benjamin Moore product lineup in price and is formulated for easy cleaning in a wide variety of sheens. It contains no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), which refers to a class of chemicals that evaporate readily at room temperature. This process of evaporation (off-gas) can last for weeks and may cause a variety of health problems like nausea, dizziness, eye irritation, respiratory tract irritation and more.
With Regal Select, there are NO VOC’s, so no risk of reducing your clean air and enjoying your fresh oasis at the same time. Regal is water-based paint, and Benjamin Moore’s waterborne tinting technology ensures that Regal paints retain zero VOC properties.
When considering your Regal Select sheen and colors here are some easy steps to help you through the process.
- Analyze the room for paint ideas: Hardwood floors, countertops, a fireplace surround, area rugs, and of course furniture…the colors in these items will help determine which paint color families will work best in your room, and help narrow your options.
- Additionally, the right paint color for any room should reflect the mood you want to create in the room as well as complement its architecture and style.
- Paint truly transforms your space–see some of our favorite colors for living room and bedroom if you are selecting color for either of these important spaces in your home.
Explore the best colors for you: If you want to cut to the chase, check out Benjamin Moore’s tried and true most popular paint colors, where they highlight homeowner favorite colors including Chantilly Lace OC-65, Revere Pewter HC-172, Hale Navy HC-154 and many more.
For a more deliberate approach, use magazines, online tools like Pinterest and our Inspiration section to find colors and color combinations that inspire you. Is your eye drawn to darker hues, fresh pastels or bold primary colors? This is a great point to try out the Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer! It’s a great way to “try out” cool new colors by virtually painting your room or walls using your uploaded picture.
Find the tool here
Get color chips, then test the paint with samples: Once you’ve selected the colors you’re drawn to, visit a Benjamin Moore Color Center at your local Wilco Store* De and pick up color chips and inspirational brochures to bring home. While you may be tempted to use color swatches only to determine which color to use, the best way to test color in different lighting conditions is to buy paint samples from your local Benjamin Moore retailer. Natural and artificial light can impact the appearance of color, so viewing it at different times of the day in all lighting conditions is crucial.
Start painting. Don’t forget other supplies you’ll need to make your project progress with the best outcome, easiest cleanup and beautiful finish in a short amount of time.
- Drop cloth
- Painter’s tape (Blue or Frog tape)
- Quality brushes with variety of widths and tips perfect for your project
- Roller or sponge applicator (extension handle if painting tall walls or ceiling)
- Paint tray
*Benjamin Moore available at all Wilco Stores, excluding Newberg, Prineville, Silverton, Cornelius and Stayton.
We would love to see your color refreshes, use #mywilcolife on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and tag Wilco Stores.
