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Picking the right paint: Choosing colors and the best brands

One of the most difficult parts of any painting project is picking the color. There are so many choices. Where do you start? Consumer Reports suggests going online to get a general idea of what colors you might like.

“Instead of going to the store and getting overwhelmed with all the pain strips, narrow the field online.

CR’s Tanya Christian says once you have a few ideas, you can buy sample cans of paint or see if the manufacturer offers peel & stick samples that show what that paint will look like on your walls. They cost between $2 and $6 per sticker.

“What we suggest is that you put these on your wall at eye level, and make sure you’re taking a look at it throughout the day,” Christian said. “How does it reflect light in the morning? How does it reflect light in the afternoon and the evening. Before you make your decision, live with it for a little bit.”

And be sure check the color on a few different walls.

“Obviously, light hits at all different angles, and so you want to make sure that you’re comfortable and you’re happy with the color at all those angles,” she said.

The Brand Also Matters

When buying paint, you need to pick the right color and choose a quality brand. All paint, even from big-name companies, does not perform the same.

The testers at Consumer Reports look at three main factors when rating paint: Does it spread on smoothly from the first brush stroke to the last? Does it hide the old color on the wall, even a dark color with one coat? Does it resist fading and stand up to general cleaning?

The top-rated interior paint, based on Consumer Reports latest tests are Behr Marquee with a rating of 95 out of 100, and Behr Dynasty with a 91. Both are exclusives at The Home Depot. Valspar Reserve tied Behr Ultra for the third spot at with an 88.

Color Place Ultra Interior (45) and Color Place Ultra (44), sold at Walmart, had the lowest ratings.

Consumer reports says a good paint should last five to seven years.

More Info:

CR’s Interior & Exterior Pain t Buying Guide

Best Interior Paints From Con sumer Reports’ Tests