Unpopular opinion: I think everyone overestimates how much paint you need

I was painting my living room in Phoenix last weekend and decided to actually measure the square footage instead of guessing. I found a calculator on a hardware store website that said I needed two gallons for my 12x15 foot room. I bought one gallon to start, and it covered everything with half a can left over! I think the standard advice adds way too much for a second coat. Has anyone else found they use way less paint than the charts say?

3 comments

3 Comments

danielowens25d ago

So what kind of paint were you using? I mean, maybe the really thick, one-coat stuff just covers better than the calculators expect.

vera2925d ago

Actually measuring instead of guessing" is a game changer. I used to buy way too much until I tried that.

fionat5525d ago

My contractor buddy swears by measuring walls first, says it saves a ton of paint.