Five Fresh Paint Tips and Trends to Try This Spring

By Jud Walford, Pro Paint Merchant, The Home Depot

Spring kicks off the busy season for remodelers, and it is the perfect time to freshen up on the latest tips and trends in the world of paint. From large interior room remodels to small touch up work, paint touches a wide variety of projects. Regardless of whether the job is small or large, staying up to date on the latest trends, tools and technologies will help ensure your team is painting efficiently.

Try the following five tips and trends to ensure your team is following the best paint practices.

1. Stay on Trend
Paint is a great opportunity for pros to use their imagination and serve as a trusted, creative resource for clients who are unsure of their optimal look. During the consultation process, ask your clients what feeling and energy they would like for each renovated room or component.

Brands like BEHR have made it easy with their interactive guide of trendy shades for the year, helping you start the conversation and provide valuable creative insight. The annual Color Currents collection features 20 limited edition colors that are interchangeable for every space, and offer “composed,” “comfortable” and “confident” color buckets to match a variety of room styles. For example, the comfortable palette features muted pastels like “Peek a Blue” and “Life is a Peach” for a sophisticated, feminine feel, while the confident palette features adventurous, bold colors like “Jade Dragon” and “Fired Up” for accent walls and other dramatic points.

2. Set the Stage
Primer is a vital component of a uniform, brilliant and durable paint job. Without the correct primer as a base, you risk a paint application that either does not adhere to surfaces or lacks the proper sheen. Several brands have also introduced primers featuring integrated odor- and mold-killing agents. When applied, these reinforced primers offset smells from pets, smokers, mildew or other unpleasant smells that may have seeped into the wood over time, which is particularly useful for older properties.

3. Prep with Tech
Planning and preparing for your next paint-related project can be as simple as the push of a button with the latest technology. The Home Depot’s Project Color app allows you to take a picture of a room and virtually review different looks with your client, making the consultation process simple. If he or she has a specific shade in mind, the app also allows you to extract colors from a saved photo and identify a corresponding paint product to ensure it matches your client’s vision. Coming out of your consultation, bring your “sample room” into any Home Depot store and the paint team will prepare every needed color.

In addition, The Home Depot now offers in-store digital matching technology that can duplicate any color – no matter the brand. This is a great resource for touch up projects that require exact color matching. Also, PRO Xtra members can receive up to 20% off paints, stains and primers, making shopping convenient and affordable when replenishing supplies for the current job or revisiting older jobs at any location.

4. Apply Safely
Be mindful of the visibility of the project location when choosing the best type of paint. For a full-scale remodeling job in a prominent area of the home, choose a top quality option like BEHR’s Marquee brand. This versatile paint requires one coat and provides advanced dirt and fade protection, preventing the need for follow-up applications and return trips to the job site. It’s also ideal when working in occupied spaces to minimize the job time and hassle for clients. For smaller jobs and touch up work, choose a more budget-friendly option like BEHR Premium Plus, which seals both uncoated and previously painted surfaces to create a finish that resists mildew, stains and moisture.



Beyond improved color and performance, paint also has become significantly safer in recent years. Clients, especially those with children, may have questions about the environmental safety of paint, such as Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) levels. According to the EPA, VOCs include chemicals that may have adverse health effects. The good news is that all of The Home Depot’s latex-based paints are low- or zero-VOC, and ensure healthy indoor air quality for homeowners and their families.

5. One-Stop Shop
Whatever your project, time is of the essence. That’s why The Home Depot has upgraded its paint offerings and services to make the evaluation and purchasing process more convenient. More than 200 Home Depot stores now include a BEHR Pro Paint Specialist dedicated to answering your questions and ensuring you receive the right products and guidance for your needs. For orders over 24 gallons, The Home Depot will deliver directly to the job site, easing transportation and logistics concerns while improving order accuracy. Plus, you can purchase all your supplies in one place, choosing from a variety of top brands in everything from paint supplies to hardware to tools.

Knowing the trends and having the right tools will ensure your client’s visions and desires are met. Keeping up with the latest trends and having the right tools in your toolbox, both mentally and physically, will help guide your crew and make a lasting impression for your client.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jud Walford has more than 34 years of experience in the home improvement industry, including more than two decades with The Home Depot. He held various roles, including store manager, district manager and regional merchandising manager, before assuming his current duties as the company’s Pro Paint Merchant – a position he has held for the last three years.