Best Paint Color For High Traffic Areas
Paint isn’t just for interior decorating. Painting your front door, mailbox, and shutters can go a long way toward adding to curb appeal. Painting an accent wall is the perfect way to showcase a favorite family photo or piece of art. But when painting inside your home, kitchen and bath walls should be the top priority. These high-traffic areas are the most likely to show visible wear, along with scuffs and dings.
When choosing the best paint for high-traffic areas, there are a few things you need to consider. The type of surface you’re painting, the traffic the site gets, and the climate are all essential factors. If you’re painting a surface that gets a lot of wear and tear, like a kitchen counter or a table, you’ll want to choose a paint that’s durable and easy to clean. For areas that don’t get as much traffic, you can select less durable paint but still easy to clean.
Paint Colors Best for High Traffic Area
Remember a few things when choosing paint colors for high-traffic areas. First, these areas are more susceptible to dirt and grime, so you’ll want to select a color that is easy to clean. Second, these areas tend to get more wear and tear, so you’ll want to choose a more durable color. And finally, you’ll want to consider the overall look and feel of the space when making your selection. With all of that in mind, here are some of the best paint colors for high-traffic areas:
Warm colors
The warm color spectrum includes shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, and brown. These colors are great for high-traffic areas because they are bright and cheerful. If you want to make your space feel welcoming, consider using these warm colors.
Gray
Gray is a neutral color that works well in almost any area. You can use grey paint for rooms with little natural light, like basements or bathrooms. Gray is a good choice if you’re looking to create a clean, modern look.
Earth Tones & Neutrals
Neutral colors are earthy-looking shades that don’t lean towards warm or cool colors. Examples of earth tones include tan, beige, and brown. Neutral colors work well in spaces that receive sunlight throughout the day. Use them to bring out the best qualities of your room.
Best Finishes for High-Traffic Areas
Glossy paints
Glossy paints may be the best option if you have high-traffic areas within your home. These finishes are often recommended for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and hallways. Because glossy paint is not water resistant, using these types of finishes is recommended in rooms where moisture is present. If you do decide to use glossy paints, make sure that you seal them properly after installation. You should apply two coats of clear coat over top of the initial color coat. After applying the second coat, allow the surface to dry thoroughly before using.
Semi-gloss paints
These types of finishes have a matte finish, meaning they do not reflect much light, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. These paints provide a smooth surface best suited for places where people walk around frequently. Semi-gloss paints are great for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and even bedrooms.
High gloss paint
High gloss paint is highly durable and offers a glossy look to any room. People who live in homes with high ceilings may prefer high gloss paints because they provide a clean and bright appearance. When choosing high gloss paints, ensure they are non-toxic and safe for children and pets.
Eggshell
Eggshell is a good finishing product if you want to add some depth to a wall. It is commonly known for its durability, being able to withstand heavy foot traffic. To achieve the desired look, you need to first clean the area. When cleaning, remove any loose dirt and grime. Next, sand down the rough edges and remove any splinters. Once you’ve cleaned the wall, apply three coats of primer. Apply two coats of eggshell finish and let dry. Let each coat dry completely before moving on to the next.
Stains
Stains may be the best option if you have high-traffic areas within your home. Stains are significant for areas like kitchen counters, bathroom floors, and even laundry room floors. Before applying a stain, make sure that you clean the area well. Remove any loose debris and scrub away any soap scum. Allow the area to dry before applying a stain. Stain comes in many colors, making choosing what you would like easier.
Scuff Resistant Paint
This type of paint is designed to protect surfaces from scratches. It is commonly recommended for areas with a lot of traffic, such as kitchen countertops, bathroom floors, and laundry room floors. Before applying, test the material to ensure it does not scratch easily. Make sure that you clean the surface before application. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any surface residue. Let the surface dry completely before applying the finish.
Benefits of Scuff Resistant Paint:
- Paint is a thin layer of protective material covering the wall’s surface. If the paint gets chipped off due to high foot traffic, it will leave a sticky residue. This may lead to mildew and mold formation. To prevent this, choose scuff-resistant paint.
- Easier to clean than regular paints. You don’t have to worry about scrubbing the area where the paint was damaged.
- Gives a smooth finish to the wall, thus making it look good.
- Helps to prevent damage caused by heavy foot traffic.
- Last longer than regular paints. Regular paints tend to chip off after some time. So if you want to maintain the beauty of your home, go for scuff-resistant paints.
- Regular paints require frequent cleaning. But scuff-resistant paints don’t need any kind of cleaning.
Best Type of Paint For High Traffic Area
Oil Based Paint
Oil-based paint comes in two forms, oil-based enamel and oil-based acrylic. Oil-based paints are great for indoor environments and can be applied using brushes, rollers, spray guns, etc. These paints are commonly used for indoor projects and dry fast. Oil-based paint requires less maintenance than latex paint, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
Latex Paint
Latex paints are primarily designed for outdoor use. Latex paints have a longer drying time compared to oil-based paint. However, they are much easier to clean off surfaces after application. Latex paint dries slower than oil-based paint, but it’s still quick enough to withstand heavy foot traffic. Latex paint is best suited for low-traffic areas.
Epoxy Paint
Epoxy paint is an excellent option for creating a durable surface for your project. Epoxy paint is water-resistant paint that can be applied over existing painted surfaces. Epoxy paint is suitable for outdoor projects but may need to be sealed occasionally. Epoxy paint can be mixed with different colors to achieve various shades.
Best Paint For Heavy Traffic Area
What’s the best paint for high-traffic areas? The answer is pretty simple – the kind that lasts. Many paints out there claim to last longer than ordinary latex paints, but they often cost much more too. These are the best paints for high-traffic areas manufactured by two best paint brands:
Acrylic Latex by Sherwin Williams
Sherwin Williams’ acrylic latex paint offers superior performance over traditional oil-based paint products. It is designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily life. This new formulation provides excellent durability and weatherability while maintaining its rich color and gloss finish. The acrylic latex paint will provide long-lasting coverage. It can be used on any surface, including wood, metal, plaster or stucco. This paint is ideal for indoor or outdoor applications where durability is essential.
Features:
- Superior durability and weatherability.
- Long-lasting coverage.
- Rich color and gloss finish.
- Easy clean-up.
- It can be applied to any surface.
- Available in many colors.
Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec® SCUFF-X®
Ultra Spec® SCUFF-x® Paint is formulated using an exclusive blend of proprietary pigments and additives to provide the highest quality performance. The paint has been developed to be used in heavy foot traffic, such as bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, hallways, stairwells, basements, garages, and more. It is ideal for areas exposed to heavy foot traffic or requiring maintenance cleaning.
Features:
- Provides superior coverage and color retention.
- Eliminates brush marks and drips.
- The durable finish resists fading and chalking.
- Resists water spotting.
- Long-lasting fade-resistant colors.
- Suitable for interior or exterior applications.
- Easy clean-up after application.
Conclusion:
It is always best to ask an expert before making any significant decision. The first factor in determining which paint color is best for high-traffic areas is its impact on color perception and preference. Research has shown that people tend to like colors they see as neutral. People indeed have a “color preference” but are much more likely to like a color they do not perceive as something that needs to be “fixed.”
Therefore, if you choose a paint color for a high-traffic area and are thinking about a deep color such as blue, choose a neutral color, and you’ll love it. But if you decide to go with a white wall, it is best to stick to a light or off-white color. Also, we suggest semi-gloss paints as these types of paints are affordable and do the work you want, i.e. withstand the traffic.