The basics of paint

bathroom, mildew resistance could be your top priority. And if you worry about chemicals, you’ll look for a paint with low or no volatile organic compounds. (LowVOC paints used to lack durability, but Consumer Reports says many now perform well.)

But you shouldn’t choose a paint brand based on color. “It’s possible to match pretty much any color these days to the point where the human eye can’t detect the difference,” De Paz said. Perhaps no paint company is more famous for its colors than upscale British company Farrow & Ball. But that paint costs about $100 a gallon, and Consumer Reports rated it “very good,” not “excellent,” like the top five above. So the magazine did an experiment, asking hardware store clerks to match a Farrow & Ball color by mixing their own paints. They nailed it within 1 percent.

Another option is to use an online color-matching tool to find an equivalent color by a different company. Just be aware that the sheen of different companies’ paint can vary, which could make the color look different. A test patch on your own wall is key.

Once you’ve chosen a great paint, you need a great plan. Here are Consumer Reports’ suggestions for making your painting project as efficient as possible. Covering: If you are painting over a very dark color, choose a paint rated excellent for “hiding,” and it should cover it in one coat. All top five interior paints listed above are rated “excellent” for covering. Priming: Modern paints that claim to be self-priming really do work, so you can skip using a separate primer. Calculating costs: Paint manufacturers and retailers offer online calculators to help you determine how much paint you need and avoid overbuying. (Be sure to check whether the calculation is based on one coat or two.) Bulk buying: If a calculator says you need more than 5 gallons, price paint in 5gallon containers, which are often cheaper.