Oil vs. Latex
Use latex paint on the exterior of a home, says Jon Box of Southern Painting. “Oil-based paint will not hold up to the expansion and contraction of wood in the outdoors, causing failure sooner than a latex.” For interior paint, latex is best for walls and ceilings, while Box recommends oil-based paint on trim. Bonus: Latex paint is biodegradable and friendlier to the environment.
Don’t Cut Corners
Forget trying to touch up wall paint, says Jon Box of Southern Painting. “The closest paint match you can get will still show up as a patch on your wall. Instead, consider painting that wall fully from corner to corner. Even under lighting, the distinction of closest color matches between walls that intersect is barely visible. Save yourself the aggravation of seeing nothing but that patch on the wall every time you enter the room: Paint the whole wall!”
Head to our slideshow for the paint colors Dallas’ top designers are loving right now.