You'll need about 5 gallons of paint to paint the interior of a 2,000 square foot home. A gallon of paint covers about 360 to 400 square feet, so if you divide 400 by 2000, you get 5 gallons of paint. Typically, a gallon of paint covers between 350 and 400 square feet, so a gallon of paint is enough to cover a small space, such as a bathroom. Depending on the number of coats you intend to paint, the average amount for a normal-sized room is one to two gallons of paint.
To be more precise, check the manufacturer's recommendations on the label. If you have leftover paint, create a monochrome look by painting the ceiling or moldings the same color. Keep in mind that better paint is consistent with the raw materials used, such as acrylic resins and rich pigments, Ebel adds. Automatically, the paint calculator gives you an estimate of 2 gallons of paint to apply two coats in a 12 x 12 inch room with an 8 foot ceiling with two windows and a door.
For something very small, such as painting a mirror frame or stenciling a design, a sample size container is sufficient paint. Although they're the same size as a regular paint can, most primers only cover 200 to 300 square feet, so a gallon of primer isn't enough for a gallon of paint. For example, if you know that you are going to cover a dark wall with a light-colored paint, you will probably want to apply a second coat, even after applying the primer. At the other end of the spectrum, a deep color base tends to require more coats of paint than a lighter color, says Carolyn Noble, director of marketing and color design at Pratt & Lambert.
To ensure you have enough paint, don't subtract square footage for windows and doors, unless they significantly reduce the square footage of that wall. In general, a quart of paint should cover a furniture project done by yourself or if you want to repaint the frame of a fireplace. Remember that the coverage will vary slightly depending on the texture of the walls, the thickness with which you apply the paint and the color you use or intend to cover. For example, a gallon of paint is supposed to cover approximately 350 square feet, a standard door represents about 20 square feet, and an average window represents about 15 square feet.
When measuring a wall, don't include plinths, ceiling moldings, or other ornaments, as you're likely to paint them with a different type of paint or color. Room sizes vary, but the average is around 800 square feet, meaning you'll need two to three gallons of paint per coat. The main reason is that you should make sure to apply a second coat of primer, since the goal is to prepare the wall area for the color of the paint.
