How to Choose Interior Paint
Get Inspired
Find inspiration by choosing the perfect paint finish to really bring your room together. Different finishes have different qualities including easier cleaning and better durability. We’ll help you find the right finish that works for your room so you get long-lasting, beautiful colour coverage for years to come.
How to Select the Perfect Sheen
How To Choose A Paint Colour
Picking a paint colour depends on several factors including in: lighting, furniture, flooring and personal taste. Here are some questions to ask when making your decision:
- What colour family do I want?
- Do I want a shade that’s dark and dramatic, light and airy, or something in between?
- Do I want a bright colour with pop and energy, or a soft, muted shade?
- Will there be an accent wall or contrast trim?
Paint Samples Available In Store and Online
The best way to confidently select your paint colour is to try before you buy. Test colours in your home under different lighting conditions by applying an 8 oz. paint sample. Samples are available at The Home Depot stores or online through our online paint selector.
Tip: How to Find the Perfect Grey Paint
Greys are a basic core colour. Behr’s Loft Space N500-2 - shown here in the nursery - goes great with pastels and bright accent pieces.
Asphalt Gray N520-6 (in the bedroom), Cool Ashes N520-4 (living room wall) or Graphic Charcoal N500-6 (shown on the fireplace) can create a bolder look and act as a great background colour, which you can then pair bright colours with to really make them pop.
Choosing the Right Interior Paint for Your Space
Getting your painting project done right starts with using Canada’s Best PaintTM, available only at The Home Depot.
All of our paints are formulated to provide superior durability with quick and easy application. They have been tested and proven to deliver better results and last longer, with options to fit every budget.
We offer the widest range of low and zero VOC paints, even after adding colour. Our industry leading no-VOC colourants ensure virtually no odour.
Our Behr water-based paint can even be used to cover existing surfaces painted with oil, with just a quick clean and a light sanding as preparation. No need to prime!
Canada's Best Paint
| Paint Coverage (# of recommended coats) |
Guaranteed one-coat coverage* (in 1,000 colours) |
|---|---|
| Paint and Primer in One (Can be used on multiple surfaces including uncoated drywall) |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Hides Dark Colours |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Scrubbable, Washable and Stain Resistant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Stain Repellant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Adhesion Over Oil-based Paint | ✓✓✓✓ |
| VOC Content | Low VOC |
| Paint Coverage (# of recommended coats) |
Guaranteed one-coat coverage* (in 1000 colours) |
|---|---|
| Paint and Primer in One (Can be used on multiple surfaces including uncoated drywall) |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Hides Dark Colours |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Scrubbable, Washable and Stain Resistant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Stain Repellant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Adhesion Over Oil-based Paint | ✓✓✓✓ |
| VOC Content | Low VOC |
| Paint Coverage (# of recommended coats) |
1-2 Coats |
|---|---|
| Paint and Primer in One (Can be used on multiple surfaces including uncoated drywall) |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Hides Dark Colours |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Scrubbable, Washable and Stain Resistant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Stain Repellant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Adhesion Over Oil-based Paint | ✓✓✓✓ |
| VOC Content |
Low VOC |
| Paint Coverage (# of recommended coats) |
1 Coat |
|---|---|
| Paint and Primer in One (Can be used on multiple surfaces including uncoated drywall) |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Hides Dark Colours |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Scrubbable, Washable and Stain Resistant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Stain Repellant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Adhesion Over Oil-based Paint | ✓✓✓✓ |
| VOC Content |
Zero VOC |
| Paint Coverage (# of recommended coats) |
1-2 Coats |
|---|---|
| Paint and Primer in One (Can be used on multiple surfaces including uncoated drywall) |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Hides Dark Colours |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Scrubbable, Washable and Stain Resistant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Stain Repellant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Adhesion Over Oil-based Paint |
✓✓✓✓ |
| VOC Content |
Zero VOC |
| Paint Coverage (# of recommended coats) |
Primer & 2 Coats |
|---|---|
| Paint and Primer in One (Can be used on multiple surfaces including uncoated drywall) |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Hides Dark Colours |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Scrubbable, Washable and Stain Resistant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Stain Repellant |
✓✓✓✓ |
| Adhesion Over Oil-based Paint | ✓✓✓✓ |
| VOC Content |
VOC Compliant |
| Interior Paint | Behr Dynasty | Behr Marquee | Behr Ultra | Glidden EPIC | Behr Premium Plus | Glidden Essentials |
| Paint Coverage (# of recommended coats) |
Guaranteed one-coat coverage* (in over 1,000 colours) |
Guaranteed one-coat coverage* (in over 1,000 colours) |
1-2 Coats | 1 Coat | 1-2 Coats | Primer & 2 Coats |
| Paint and Primer in One (Can be used on multiple surfaces including uncoated drywall) |
✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ |
| Hides Dark Colours | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ |
| Scrubbable, Washable and Stain Resistant | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ |
| Stain Repellant | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ |
| Adhesion Over Oil-based Paint | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓✓ |
| VOC Content | Low VOC | Low VOC | Low VOC | Zero VOC | Zero VOC | VOC Compliant |
*Valid only when tinted to colours from the BEHR DYNASTY™ & MARQUEE® Interior One-Coat Hide Colour Collection. See behr.ca for details.
**A primer coat may be needed on some surfaces. See product label for details.
Zero VOC And Low VOC Paints
The Home Depot is committed to reducing VOCs in paint products and offers low and zero VOC paint options. Low and Zero VOC paints provide the lowest indoor air impact during paint projects and fewer odours. Our paint colourants are industry leading no-VOC formulas specifically engineered to improve the performance of our paints without adding harmful VOCs.
Ceiling Paint
How does ceiling paint differ from wall paint?
It's formulated in an ultra-flat finish to minimize glare around the ceiling surfaces. Formulated primarily for hide and coverage, you’ll hide imperfections better but it’s less washable overall.
To add some drama to your space, use a different sheen or colour on your ceiling.
Painting a stucco ceiling?
Make sure to test your stucco to see if it’s sealed. Here’s how: in a discreet corner of the room, use a damp cloth or spray bottle to wet the stucco. If the stucco begins to soften or crumble, you're going to need prime your ceiling with an oil-based ceiling paint. If the stucco remains intact, you are ready to paint with any ceiling paint.
