We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping Home Reviews Home Improvement Product Reviews The 10 Best Interior Paints of 2024 for Your Living Room, Bedroom, Bathroom, and Kitchen Shop paints from top brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and more. By Nor'Adila Hepburn Nor'Adila Hepburn Nor'Adila Hepburn is a commerce writer who specializes in writing content for 6+ and 7+ figure commerce brands. She's been writing in-depth buying guides for Better Homes & Gardens since 2023. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on October 15, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are? Better Homes & Gardens When you want to give a room in your home a fresh look, nothing does it better than new paint, whether you're painting your walls, kitchen cabinets, or a dated piece of furniture. When looking for the best interior paints, you'll want to consider factors like quality, sheen, and color. “Painting is a budget-friendly way to enhance the inside of your home,” says Monica Mothershead, senior merchant of interior paint at The Home Depot. "Good paint protects surfaces from damage, water, fading, and changes in temperature, making your home look great and keeping it in good condition." To help you pick the right paint for your home renovation project, we researched factors such as gloss, finish, color selection, dry time, recommended surfaces, and paint durability. We also spoke to Mothershead as well as Bart Caldwell, owner of Caldwell Painting in Tennessee, and Nick Lopez, founder of Lime Painting. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint at Benjaminmoore.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Budget: PPG Paint Multi-Pro Interior Paint at Home Depot ($17) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Fine Paints Of Europe EuroLux Interior Matte at Finepaintsofeurope.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Fast Drying: Valspar Express Coat Interior Paint at Lowe's ($18) Jump to Review Best Single-Coat: Glidden Diamond Interior Paint at Home Depot ($37) Jump to Review Best Self-Priming: Sherwin Williams Cashmere Paint at Sherwin-williams.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for High Traffic Areas: Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec Scuff-X at Miramarpaintcenter.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best For Kitchens: Behr Dynasty Stain Blocking Paint & Primer at Home Depot ($63) Jump to Review Best for Bathrooms: Rust-Oleum Studio Color Interior Wall Paint at Walmart ($25) Jump to Review Best Stain-Resistant: Behr Marquee Designer Collection Interior Paint & Primer at Home Depot ($59) Jump to Review Best Overall Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint Benjamin Moore View On Benjaminmoore.com View On Ace Hardware $90 Why You Should Get It It has excellent coverage and almost no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Keep in Mind It is very costly per gallon. The Benjamin Moore Aura line is a consistent favorite among DIYers and contractors that comes highly recommended by our featured experts. It offers superb coverage for walls, doors, baseboards, and trims. The formula is designed to be long-lasting and fade-resistant. There is also primer included in the formula so you use less paint (and save some money). All the paints in the Aura line are mildew-resistant. The formula is low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), meaning the paint will not harm the environment or have a strong odor. Still, you should always ensure that your room is well-ventilated before painting. The paint takes about an hour to dry. However, you do have to wait a second hour if you need to apply another coat. The paint is available in matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss finishes. The line also offers a special moisture-resistant option for high-humidity areas like bathrooms or spas. The only downside is that prices start at $90 per gallon, which is quite high. But, if you’re looking for outstanding results with thousands of colors to choose from, it’s the best interior paint you can buy. Product Details: Dry Time: 1-hour dry time, 1-hour re-coat time | Color Selection: 3,500 | Sheens: Matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss | Coverage: 350 to 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Drywall, plaster, wood, masonry, non-ferrous metal Best Budget PPG Paint Multi-Pro Interior Paint The Home Depot View On Home Depot $17 Why You Should Get It The paint is dry to the touch in 30 to 60 minutes. Keep in Mind Primer is not incorporated into the formula. This is the best interior paint when you need a lot of coverage but want to stay within budget. PPG Paint Multi-Pro is extremely affordable per gallon and provides smooth coverage with a brush or roller. It’s also quite effective for hiding wall imperfections or repainting walls or cabinets. The paint can be used on surfaces such as wood, concrete, plaster, or metal. However, you’ll have to apply a primer first before you start painting because it’s not included in the formula. The paint is quite thick, which makes it suitable for layering over another color if you’re redoing a previous paint job. Although, in that case, you might have to apply several coats to the surface. We appreciate that the paint is quick-drying—it’s dry to the touch within 30 to 60 minutes. It comes in four sheens: flat/matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss. Additionally, its formula has low levels of VOCs, so it doesn't have a strong odor. However, if color tints are added, the VOC level will increase. The paint is available in 1-gallon and 5-gallon cans. Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour dry time, 4 hours re-coat time | Color Selection: 2,000+ | Sheens: Flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss | Coverage: 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Wood, concrete, plaster, metal Best Splurge Fine Paints Of Europe EuroLux Interior Matte Fine Paints Of Europe View On Finepaintsofeurope.com Why You Should Get It The paint is available in a whopping 10,000 colors with unlimited options for tints. Keep in Mind It’s best for walls and ceilings, and can only adhere with primer from the same brand. When your room needs a little drama, a high-sheen paint like the Eurolux Satin from Fine Paints of Europe might be your ticket. “This is one of my favorite paints because it has a good reputation for coverage, color retention, and durability,” Caldwell says. Despite the name, it’s actually an American brand (from Vermont) that imports its paint directly from Holland. We should warn you that your pocket will take a hit, as it is one of the most expensive paints on the market. That’s because the paint has no cheap fillers or extenders and only uses high-quality pigments and resins. It’s the best interior paint for walls and ceilings. However, you cannot use it on cabinetry, doors, baseboards, windows, or molding (the brand recommends other enamel paints for that). It’s available in over 10,000 colors, plus you can also get any custom tint your heart desires. The paint comes in two sizes: 1 liter (covers about 134 square feet) and 2.5 liters (which is about half a gallon and covers about 335 square feet). If you prefer less sheen, the paint is also available in flat and matte finishes as well. Be aware that you can’t use any old primer with this paint—it will only adhere with a primer from the same brand. Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour dry time and re-coat time | Color Selection: 10,000 | Sheens: Satin, flat, matte | Coverage: 400 square feet per 2.5 liters | Recommended Surface: Plaster, wallboard, wood, metal, plastic Best Fast Drying Valspar Express Coat Interior Paint Lowe's View On Lowe's $18 View On Instacart.com Why You Should Get It You can use the paint as a primer for its base coat if the starting surface is a similar color. Keep in Mind It doesn’t contain stain blockers, making it less suitable for high-traffic areas. While there are hacks to make paint dry faster, you can buy a fast-drying formula to speed things up. The Valspar Express Coat is one of the best interior paints because it typically dries within 30 minutes to 60 minutes. A quick-drying paint like this is pretty handy if you’re painting walls and trims in rental properties. It’s also a great option for touch-ups and spot-painting jobs. The paint also doubles as a primer if the surface is a similar color. However, if the area is badly stained, the brand recommends you apply a stain-blocking primer, as the paint contains no stain-blockers. For this reason, we don’t think it’s the paint you want in high-traffic areas like hallways or a kids’ bedroom. Recoating time is longer than the initial dry time; expect to wait about two to four hours before you can add a top coat. It comes in three sheens—flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss— and in one-gallon and five-gallon sizes. The formula is not that thick, so you might want to avoid painting trims with it. Product Details: Dry Time: 30 to 60 minute dry time, 2 to 4 hour re-coat time | Color Selection: 1,764 | Recommended Surface: Concrete, drywall, metal, plaster, wood Best Single-Coat Glidden Diamond Interior Paint The Home Depot View On Home Depot $37 Why You Should Get It It’s an easily scrubbable paint that’s mildew-resistant, plus it covers dirt marks and stains. Keep in Mind Even though it offers one-coat coverage, you might need multiple coats for some surfaces. Glidden Premium Interior Paint is the best interior paint to buy when you want to apply a single coat. Available in 1,200 colors, the paint offers one-coat coverage for any room in your home, and at a reasonable price. It’s mildew-resistant and designed to hide stains, so you naturally use less. Plus, it contains an advanced leveling formula which makes paint smoother to brush on surfaces. Because it’s scrubbable, you can easily wipe dirt marks and stains off walls and trims without damaging the paint or causing fading. The paint is zero-VOC and doesn’t emit harmful chemicals which is especially beneficial if you have asthma or allergies. It also means that the paint does not have a strong odor. However, if you add color tints, expect the VOC levels to increase. It comes in flat/matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss sheens, which is good for walls, trims, and cabinetry. Keep in mind that for some surfaces, you might have to apply more than one coat to get proper coverage. Also, in order to successfully paint cabinetry with one coat, it’s important to sand surfaces down first if they are high-gloss. Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour dry time, 4 hours re-coat time | Color Selection: 1,200 | Sheens: Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss | Coverage: 400 square feet | Recommended Surface: Concrete, masonry, drywall, ferrous metal, plaster, wood Best Self-Priming Sherwin Williams Cashmere Paint Sherwin Williams View On Sherwin-williams.com Why You Should Get It The paint has a self-leveling formula that makes it easy to achieve a smooth finish without brush or roller marks. Keep in Mind It’s only available at Sherwin-Williams. There are many advantages to using an all-in-one paint with a primer already in the formula, the main one being that it’s a huge time saver. But Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Paint has several other benefits. It offers a buttery-rich finish plus a self-leveling formula that evens out the surface, so you don’t have to stress about leaving behind brush strokes and roller marks. Plus, it’s scrubbable, which means that you can wipe it down without risking damage. The Sherwin-Williams color catalog offers over 1,700 colors to choose from, giving you plenty of choices to set the mood of your room. The paint comes in five finishes: flat, low-luster, eggshell, pearl, and medium luster. Pearl is the equivalent of a standard semi-gloss paint, while medium luster is its high-gloss option. It’s also low-VOC, so you don’t have to worry too much about fumes and odors. Within one hour, the paint will be dry to the touch (but the dry time can vary depending on temperature and humidity). Overall, if you’re looking for easy application and a gorgeous finish, it’s the best interior paint for DIY home renovation projects. Just keep in mind that you can only buy it from the Sherwin-Williams website or store. Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour | Color Selection: 1,700+ | Sheens: Flat, low-luster, eggshell, pearl, medium luster | Coverage: 350 to 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Plaster, wood, masonry, drywall, block Best for High Traffic Areas Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec Scuff-X Miramar Paint Center View On Miramarpaintcenter.com View On Ace Hardware $66 Why You Should Get It It’s a scuff-resistant formula that helps deflect stains and marks in high-traffic areas. Keep in Mind It has a longer dry time than some options. No need to obsess about grubby fingers or muddy paws making imprints on your walls—the Benjamin Moore Scuff X paint can hide it all. While it’s primarily designed for commercial areas like offices and fitting rooms, you can also use it to paint walls and trims in residences. Its standout feature is a scuff-resistant formula that makes it difficult for unsightly marks and dirt to gain purchase. We’ve deemed it the best interior paint for high-traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. The paint comes in satin, semi-gloss, eggshell, and matte finishes, which tend to be stain-resistant in varying degrees (satin has the highest stain resistance, while matte is on the lower end). And it’s spatter-resistant, so it’s less messy to apply. The latex paint can withstand repeated washings if you are tackling tough stains. The paint has a 48.4 VOC level, making it low VOC (but not the lowest on this list) and low-odor. It’s also moisture and mold resistant, which comes in handy if you plan on painting rooms that tend to get humid like a bathroom or basement. Overall, the paint provides industrial-level coverage for your home. One thing we will note is that the dry time, two to three hours, is a bit longer than with some other options. Product Details: Dry Time: 2 to 3 hours | Color Selection: 3,500 | Sheens: Satin, semi-gloss, eggshell, matte | Coverage: 350 to 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Drywall, plaster, wood, metal, wallpaper Best For Kitchens Behr Dynasty Stain Blocking Paint & Primer The Home Depot View On Home Depot $63 Why You Should Get It It features a stain-resistant and scuff-resistant formula. Keep in Mind You might have to apply multiple coats depending on the surface and color. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way toward making a kitchen look polished and inviting. Behr Dynasty is the best interior paint for the kitchen because it’s washable, stain-repellent, and scuff-resistant. The formula is able to disguise old stains and prevent new ones from settling. It’s also a good paint to apply to kitchen cabinets and drawers—areas that tend to get splattered by food and liquid dripping from the countertops. Although the paint is a one-coat formula with primer included, you still may end up needing to add a topcoat anyway, especially if you’re painting over a different color. Certain types of wood, such as redwood or cedar, may also require more coats of primer and/or paint. Additionally, the paint is anti-microbial and mildew resistant (which is always a plus in a steamy kitchen). It’s also low-VOC and Greenguard certified, so it's better for you and the environment. The paint dries to the touch in one hour, and you can apply a topcoat in two hours. Available in eight-ounce, one-quart, one-gallon, and five-gallon sizes. It won’t leave any stickiness behind, which makes it a nice option for drawers and other high-touch surfaces. Just make sure glossy surfaces are sanded and completely dry before painting. Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour dry time, 2 hour re-coat time | Color Selection: 1,000+ | Sheens: Flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss | Coverage: 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Brick, composite, vinyl, concrete, stone, drywall, metal, plastic, wood Best for Bathrooms Rust-Oleum Studio Color Interior Wall Paint Walmart View On Walmart $25 Why You Should Get It It allows you to get the moisture-proof and mildew resistant benefits of glossier finishes in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss. Keep in Mind The color range is very limited compared to other picks. The best interior paint for the bathroom is the Rust-Oleum Studio Color Interior Wall Paint. Like our top pick for the kitchen, it features a moisture and mildew-resistant formula that’s beneficial for more humid areas of your home, which the bathroom tends to be. In general, satin or glossy can prevent mildew from forming, but the paint’s formula allows you to get the same benefits with a flat sheen. The paint line comes already premixed and has a limited color range (mostly light colors and pastels). Compared to other premium paints where there are thousands of options to choose from, the Rust-Oleum paint only has 14. Custom colors are also not available. There are also only three finishes—flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss. In addition to bathrooms, you can paint other parts of the house with this formula, including bedroom, dining room, and kitchen walls. You can also use it on doors and trim. It’s available in one-gallon and two-gallon sizes. Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour | Color Section: 14 | Sheens: Flat, eggshell, semi-gloss | Coverage: Not listed | Recommended Surface: Drywall, masonry, wood Best Stain-Resistant Behr Marquee Designer Collection Interior Paint & Primer The Home Depot View On Home Depot $59 Why You Should Get It It’s specially designed to cover stains in high-traffic areas. Keep in Mind It has low chemical emissions and is Greenguard Gold certified. From paw prints to grubby fingerprints, it seems like there are a million things that get in the way of pristine walls. That’s why using a stain-resistant option like Behr Marquee is essential when painting high-traffic areas in your home such as living rooms, kids' bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. It’s also an especially good option for kitchen cabinets, trims, and interior furniture, all of which tend to accumulate stains over time. The formula is stain-blocking and designed to retain the paint's shine while repelling dirt and scuff marks. It's an all-in-one paint with a primer, giving you one-coat coverage in over 1000 colors. However, if the surface you’re painting over is heavily stained, we suggest adding a top coat for best results. One gallon covers about 400 square feet. It’s acrylic-based, so it's quick drying—within an hour for one coat, two hours if you need to recoat. But if temperatures are cooler, expect longer dry times. The paint is Greenguard Gold certified which means it has low chemical emissions, and comes in flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss enamel sheens. Product Details: Dry Time: 1 hour | Color Section: 1,000+ | Sheens: Flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, high gloss enamel | Coverage: 400 square feet per gallon | Recommended Surface: Brick, drywall, masonry, plaster, stucco, vinyl, wood The Bottom Line Our top recommendation for the best interior paint is Benjamin Moore Aura because it offers excellent coverage on walls, trims, and doors. Plus, it’s mildew and fade-resistant, so your paint job is guaranteed to last for many years. For a cheaper option, we suggest the PPG Multi-Pro Interior Paint. It costs under $20 and dries to the touch in just 30 to 60 minutes. What to Know About Interior Paint Before Shopping Gloss, Sheen, and Finish According to Lopez, the finish, or sheen of the paint can make all the difference in achieving the desired look and durability. “Keep this in mind: the higher the sheen, the higher the shine and durability. High gloss paint is the most durable and easy to clean, making it perfect for cabinets, trim, and doors. However, it has too much shine for interior walls, as it will accentuate any bumps or flaws in the surface.” Lopez advises shoppers to “reserve high gloss for areas that will see a lot of wear and tear from sticky fingers or heavy use.” Another common option you’ll see for most interior paints is semi-gloss. “Semi-gloss is a great option offering high durability with a slightly less shiny finish,” Lopez says. “It's perfect for rooms that experience moisture, drips, or grease stains, as well as trim work that takes a lot of abuse. Use it in kitchens, bathrooms, and chair rails.” Caldwell adds, “Most dedicated trim paints will come in a semi-gloss finish.” “If you want a bit more luster without going full-on high gloss, try satin,” Lopez suggests. “It's easy to clean and excellent for high-traffic areas, but be aware that it may reveal application flaws such as roller or brush strokes. Use it in family rooms, foyers, hallways, and kids' bedrooms.” For a not-too-shiny, yet not-too-flat finish, eggshell is your best bet. “It has a low-luster, almost matte finish, and covers wall imperfections well,” Lopez says. Caldwell further points out, “This sheen works well for areas that may get moisture or have a higher chance of getting scuffed.” “And finally, for walls that have something to hide, there's a flat or matte finish. It has the most pigment and provides the most coverage, which translates to time and money savings,” Lopez says. “However, it's tough to clean without taking the paint off the grime—so reserve it for adult bedrooms or other interior rooms that won't see a lot of rough play.” In general, Lopez says that the finish you choose can make or break the final look and durability of your paint job. “Consider the purpose and traffic of the room, and choose a sheen that fits your needs.” Color Selection Depending on the brand, it’s possible you’ll have thousands of colors to choose from. “Brands and retailers often provide a color palette which makes it easy for you to explore similar shades within a specific color group,” Mothershead says. “You can always take home paint samples to test out the paint color before deciding.” Caldwell has one expert tip for shoppers who are looking for the perfect color for their home project. He says, “If you find a color you love but it is just a little too dark or a little too light just ask your local paint store to cut the formula by 25% or add 25% and this will change it up just a touch.” Dry Time The amount of time it takes for interior paint to dry boils down to the type of paint and the surface that’s being painted. Most interior paints are acrylic or latex (water-based), and these usually take about one to two hours to dry before you can add a second coat. After a second coat is applied, you’ll typically need to let it dry for a few hours more. There are quick-drying options like Valspar Express Pro which can dry to the touch in under an hour. “To speed up drying, it's advisable to close windows and doors or run a fan,” Lopez says. “Proper ventilation is critical in ensuring that paint dries correctly and evenly. Stuffy rooms can affect paint quality and cause the paint to dry more slowly. Good airflow helps paint to dry evenly and improve paint quality.” Intended Surface Although interior paints can be applied to most walls, ceilings, doors, trim, and cabinetry, not all paints can be applied to every surface. It’s important to check the paint’s label or the paint brand or retailer's website to determine if the paint you’re interested in can be used on the intended surface such as drywall, plaster, masonry, wood, metal, or concrete. Durability According to Caldwell, interior paint can last up to ten years—but this is not a hard and fast rule. He says that your paint’s durability depends on paint quality, and the amount of wear and tear your walls are subjected to. Lopez has advice for anyone who wants to keep their paint longer: “Consider using semi-gloss or satin paint finishes, which are more durable and easier to clean. And for high-traffic areas like the kitchen, consider adding a tile backsplash to protect your walls from cooking splatters and spills.” Your Questions, Answered How much does interior paint cost? Depending on the brand and the type of paint, the price can vary. Typically, starting cost for interior paint is around $25 per gallon, with more premium paints costing from $50 to $150 (sometimes more) per gallon. There are other aspects to budgeting. “When planning a paint project, it's also important to consider the additional supplies and tools you'll need,” Lopez says. “These may include things like brushes, rollers, tape, and drop clothes.” How often do you need to paint the interior of your home? According to Lopez, how often you need to repaint your home depends on the room and the surface the paint is on. “A high-quality paint job can last between five and ten years, assuming you’ve taken the time to properly prep the surface before painting.” Some rooms, “like the kitchen, living room, and mudroom may need more frequent updates,” Lopez adds. “The walls in these rooms can accumulate more wear and tear due to the constant use and exposure to moisture, heat, and humidity. In the kitchen, for example, splashes of oil, grease, and food particles can easily stain and damage the walls. The mudroom may also take a beating from muddy boots, coats, and bags being dropped on the floor. And in the living room, furniture and decor can scratch and dent the walls.” Lopez advises shoppers that, when deciding whether or not to paint, the best rule of thumb is to inspect the walls closely. “Look for signs of peeling, cracking, or fading paint. If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to start planning a new paint job.” Do you need primer for interior paint? Applying a primer can help you achieve a smoother, more even finish. A primer is the foundation coating that is applied to surfaces before the actual painting starts. Most experts will agree that even though a primer isn’t always necessary (especially if your surface is already smooth), it can be beneficial. ”If you're painting over a previously painted surface, especially one that is peeling, chipping, or stained, then primer becomes crucial. It can help hide stains, cover up dark colors, and prevent bleed-through from previous coats of paint, says Lopez. “If you skip primer in these situations, you'll end up applying more coats of paint to achieve the desired finish, which means spending more money on expensive topcoats.” He adds that, when painting a porous surface like brick or concrete, primer can fill in small gaps and create a uniform base for paint. “A primer can help seal porous surfaces and prevents them from absorbing too much paint, which can save you money on paint costs. Furthermore, primer can help improve the durability of the paint and protect surfaces from moisture and mildew,” Lopez says. Who We Are? Nor'Adila Hepburn is a freelance writer who specializes in writing in-depth buying guides for home and lifestyle publications. To find the best interior paints, she consulted with Monica Mothershead, senior merchant of interior paint at The Home Depot, Bart Caldwell, owner of Caldwell Painting in Tennessee, and Nick Lopez, founder of Lime Painting. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit