When people think about the best paint colors to use in their homes, their primary focus is on rooms such as the living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Little attention is often paid to the interior closets.
Should these closets be painted white, or should they be painted the same color as their main room? We have researched the best colors for interior closets, and in this post, we will discuss which choice works best.
While it's a matter of preference, it is often recommended that interior closets be painted the same color as the room so long as it's not too dark. The reason is that closets are typically the smallest space in a room, and painting them a lighter color, such as white, will make them seem bigger, less cave-like, and more visible.
The most common color to paint an interior closet is white, other than the same color as the room. But this doesn't mean that you can't find different neutral tones that will work well to complement the room. Continue reading to learn more about painting interior closets and other colors that will work.
Painting Interior Closets
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Why matching the room color works
Most closets will have at least one overhead light. However, if the closet is filled to its maximum capacity, most overhead lights will be blocked by hanging clothing, boxes, or other items. If you use a dark color in the closet to match the main paint in the room, note that this will significantly diminish the effect of the overhead light.
But, it doesn't mean that you can't find a complementary lighter color that will match the room's tone. Consider using a tone that is two or four shades lighter than the tone of the room. This way, the closet will still go with the main color in the room, and you won't have to struggle with vision in the space.
You also won't have to go through the hassle of providing additional light within the space. Also, one way to make the closet appear lighter while matching darker primary room tones is to paint the ceiling white.
This way, you can still match the room's color but create more visibility with the lighter ceiling. If you do this, it's best to use semi-gloss paint to help reflect the light in the ceiling as opposed to your typical flat ceiling paint.
Another factor to consider is the purpose of the closet. For example, will the closet be used for food storage, clothes, or as an equipment mudroom? Think about the amount of time you'll be spending in the closet and the items it will store.
Find this ceiling paint on Amazon.
Best Colors for Specific Closet Types
Laundry room closet
Being that most laundry rooms are painted your typical white tone, it's common that the closet is painted the same color-all white. But don't be afraid to spice it up.
Think of adding a bit of color to your laundry room? Colors that work well for these small spaces include eggshell, light browns, sea green, or pale blue.
Read more about this eggshell paint on Amazon.
Storage room closets
Whether you're storing camping gear, holiday decorations, or water sports equipment, it's essential to go with lighter tones in a storage room closet. Not only will this increase the visibility in the closet, but it can make the entire space look more organized and cleaner.
It's also best to go with a medium-gloss sheen as it will hold up to dirt stains and scuff marks better than flat paint.
Learn more about this semi-gloss paint on Amazon.
Guest room closets
Guest room closets typically house blankets, extra pillows, and other room essentials. White and light-colored colors will work better for these rooms, but darker colors can make the room more stylish.
If you use a darker color, try leaving the ceiling white or adding wall lights to the space. You can also compliment the darker shades in the room with a lighter hue of the same color in the closet.
Walk-in apparel closet
Because walk-in closets are typically bigger, you have more leeway to use darker tone colors. You can match the closet to the room's color or make it stand out with a lighter tone or all-white paint. You can also use accent colors to draw attention to any cabinets, shelves, or drawers in the room.
Bathroom and pantry closets
When painting pantries and bathrooms, it's important to use durable and blendable paints. This means that semi-gloss, neutral-toned paints will work best in these areas.
If you want to draw attention to the shelves in the cabinet, don't be afraid to play around with darker colors for them. However, using a light or neutral tone will help them appear bigger, making it easier to see inside of them. That being stated, the color should blend these spaces with the main room.
How do you paint the inside of a closet?
Painting the inside of a closet isn't that different from painting the entire room, though consideration should be made given the size of the space. Here's how to do it:
Things you'll need:
- Wall paint
- Putty knife
- 3-inch paintbrush
- Paint roller
- Paint tray
- Sanding block or sandpaper
- Drywall putty
- Drop cloths
- Ventilator
1. Clean out the closet
Before painting the closet, be sure to remove everything and it. Also, take down any racks, shelving, or storage bins in the space.
If you have hardwood floors in the closet, be sure to sweep them to remove any cobwebs and dirt from around the baseboards. If you have carpet, be sure to vacuum it. Next, place a dropcloth on the closet floor to prevent staining it with the paint.
Find this dropcloth on Amazon.
2. Repair any damaged areas
Next, take a look at each wall in the closet and inspect for damage. Next, apply putty to any dents, holes, or deep scratches on the wall.
After applying the putty, be sure to smooth it out with your putty knife so that it's as flat as possible. After the putty dries, sand it down until the repaired area is flush with the rest of the wall.
Find this drywall putty on Amazon.
3. Apply painters tape
After wiping down any remaining sand from the wall, apply painter's tape to the edges of the wall to avoid accidentally painting the baseboards, carpet, or door frame.
4. Cut in the corners of the wall
Assuming you're using a 2-in-1 paint/primer, it's now time to apply the paint. Pour the paint into the paint tray and lightly dip the painter's brush into it.
Next, starting at the wall on the left of the entrance, paint the edges and corners of each wall starting from top to bottom. Be sure to go 1-2 inches outside each corner so that rolled paint will blend well.
Check out this paintbrush set on Amazon.
5. Paint the walls
Next, take your paint roller, dip it in the tray and then paint the walls. Be sure to remove any dripping paint from the roller by dragging it across the upper reaches of the trade. Next, start at the same spot where you started for the "cut-in" and paint from the top of the wall down to the bottom using a V-shaped pattern.
Continue doing this until you have painted the entire wall and then move on to the next one. Once the paint dries in the room, apply one or two additional coats as needed.
Find this paint roller on Amazon.
Can I use ceiling paint on closet walls?
Yes. Ceiling paint is interior paint and can be used on walls. However, it should be noted that ceiling paint is flat paint, so it is more prone to scuffs, scratch marks, and dirt stains.
Can you spray paint a closet?
Yes. You can spray paint a closet. However, use caution when doing so. Closets are small spaces, and ventilation is of the utmost importance when using spray paint. Be sure to properly ventilate the room by opening nearby windows or doors.
Also, ensure that you have a ventilation mask on and hold the paint sprayer at least 8 to 10 inches away from the wall to prevent dripping and overspray.
Find this ventilator mask on Amazon.
How much does it cost to paint a closet?
On average, painting a closet can cost anywhere from $200 to over $500. The type of paint used and the size and layout of the closet play a considerable part in determining the overall cost. You can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $50 or more for your average interior wall paint.
Wrapping Things Up
If you're doing a home, remodel, or considering painting a room with a closet, always consider the closet space color. This means taking a look at the main color in the room and deciding whether a matching room paint or all-white paint will work best for the smaller space.
Overall, lighter and complementary neutral tones will work better to help with visibility, but it doesn't have to be your standard all-white color.
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