Interior Paint

Most interior paint jobs start to show some wear and tear after about five to ten years, depending on how much activity happens in that room. In high-traffic spots like hallways or kitchens, the finish might start to look a little dingy or scuffed much sooner than it would in a guest bedroom. If you have an old can that has been opened previously, it’s usually only good for a couple of years before the seal starts to fail and the paint begins to dry out or develop mold. A quick way to test it is to stir it well and apply a small sample to a piece of cardboard; if it dries flat and consistent, you’re likely good to go.

Slapping a coat of interior latex onto a garden fence or an exterior door is almost always a recipe for disappointment. Interior-grade paint is designed to be flexible and scrubbable, but it lacks the heavy-duty fungicides and UV inhibitors that allow outdoor finishes to survive the direct sun and driving rain. Without those additives, the paint will likely begin to crack, peel, and fade within just a few months of being exposed to the elements. It’s a lot more work to scrape off a failed paint job than it is to just buy the right exterior gallon the first time around.

Choosing the right shade for your trim and doors can completely change the vibe of a room without you having to touch the main walls. A crisp, high-gloss white is the traditional choice for a reason; it makes the wall color pop and gives the whole house a clean, finished look. Many neighbors in the Nixa-Ozark-Springfield area are also leaning toward “tone-on-tone” styles lately, where the trim is painted the same color as the walls but in a higher sheen for a subtle, modern contrast. It’s a great way to make a smaller room feel a bit more expansive and sophisticated.