Is Semi-Gloss the Best Paint for Children’s Bedrooms?

Kids like colorful bedrooms. But what paint types are best for walls that can get smudged or written on at any time? Follow our guide on the paint types that make cleaning up a breeze.

Semi-gloss vs. satin paints

It’s well known that satin and semi-gloss paints offer the best benefits for durability and cleanliness. They each have their advantages but are a great start if you want to narrow down choices.

Satin paints will cover up existing imperfections better and have a great texture. In most cases, satin is the best choice to use on the walls. Since these paints are water-based, then stains are removed relatively quickly with only soap and water. If appropriately primed, the color is hard to wipe off once set, making it durable and likely to last for the kids’ entire childhoods.

Semi-gloss paints can be either water- or oil-based. Water-based paints apply better and don’t have that sticky feeling most homeowners associate with oil paints. On the other hand, oil-based paints can last for much longer and are more forgiving to clean up if stained. Professional painters recommend semi-gloss paints for trims, doors, and finishes.

Safe paints

Most paints available on the market today contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds can cause health concerns in children with respiratory issues. Thankfully, organic paints are more eco-friendly, don’t have odors, and are made from natural clays, lime, or milk. They can be the perfect alternative. Eco-friendly paints come in various colors and types, don’t sacrifice durability, and can be just as easy to clean and maintain as regular paint.

Creative alternatives

If you already envision fingerprints and chalk marks on the walls, standard paints might be too difficult to clean and maintain regularly and not lose their sheen or color. Chalkboard paint is an excellent way to provide creative children with an outlet for their artistic tendencies. They can paint over the walls and can erase everything similar to a school chalkboard. Parents can even use these walls to leave messages or chore lists where they are prominent. The paint’s versatility more than makes up for the slightly increased cost.

Magnetic paint can be a solution for older children and teenagers that prefer to cover the walls with images, signs, or other memorabilia, only to take them off and replace them with different ones later. Nail marks can require a lot of effort to fill and cover, and magnetic paint removes the need for nails entirely. With this paint, items need only be magnetized (or have a small magnet glued to them), and they’ll stick to the wall without any additional effort and zero damage.

Do you need a professional paint job?

Once you decide on the perfect paint to color the kids’ (and other) bedrooms, don’t hesitate to contact a professional painting company. 

Mark’s Painting offers residential and commercial painting for Tampa, Hillsborough, and Pinellas County. Exterior painting, including priming, sealing, plaster & drywall service, pressure washing. We paint interiors, including ceilings, walls, trim, baseboard, fireplaces, mantels, paneling, wainscoting, doors, and windows. We offer wallpaper removal, caulking, staining and varnishing, refinishing, texturing, specialty finishes, and more. We are licensed and insured. Call us at 813-295-7926