What Is the Best Interior Paint? Expert Advice from Cover Pro Painting

Choosing the right interior paint is one of the most important decisions you can make for your house. A new coat can transform rooms, protect surfaces, improve indoor air quality, and create a long lasting finish that reflects your style. Homeowners often ask what is the best interior paint, because the options can feel overwhelming.

At Cover Pro Painting, we have tested many paint brands over decades of work, and we know how to determine the best interior choices for each room. Our professional painters focus on high quality paints, excellent coverage, stain resistance, smooth application, and clean finishes that stand the test of time. This post explains what makes the best paint, which products perform at the highest level in 2025, and how to choose the right option for your walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.

Why Choosing the Right Interior Paint Matters More Than You Think

The best interior choices always begin with understanding how paint performs on different surfaces. Interior paint is not just color, it is protection for your house. High quality paints resist stains, wear, scrubbing, and daily use. Poor coatings often need two coats plus more touch ups later, while premium formulas can deliver excellent coverage and even a one coat application in some rooms. The wrong product also shows imperfections more easily.

A weak coat can highlight stains, fine cracks, and uneven surfaces. A strong coat hides those issues and keeps walls looking clean. High traffic areas like hallways, kids rooms, and entryways need durable paint that handles constant contact. Another factor is indoor air quality. Modern formulas with low chemical emissions reduce chemicals in the home. These options are much safer for families, especially in bedrooms or a dining room where people spend more time. Choosing the best paint also saves money over the long term since repainting becomes less frequent and the performance stays consistent.

What Defines the Best Interior Paint, Updated for 2025

Durability and Washability

Professional painters look closely at durability because it determines how long walls stay clean. Families with children often deal with crayon marks, fingerprints, and food stains. Paints with strong stain resistant properties make cleaning easier. Durable coatings allow scrubbing without removing shine or damaging the surface. Many of the best interior options include resins that improve long term performance.

Coverage and Color Consistency

Coverage is one of the biggest factors when we evaluate paint. Better coverage means fewer coats and a smoother finish. High quality paints from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are known for excellent coverage, which helps reduce labor and provides more even color. Dark color shades, which normally require more layers, are easier to cover with premium formulas. Consistency across gallons matters too. With stronger brand lines, color stays true when you open a fresh gallon.

Low or Zero VOC Standards

Low chemical emissions matter in every home. Paint with reduced chemicals limits strong odors, lowers VOC levels, and keeps indoor spaces safer. These products are especially important for families with young children, pets, or individuals who are sensitive to chemicals. Modern zero VOC paint lines perform very well and still provide excellent durability.

Finish Options for Every Room

Choosing the right finish is a major part of achieving the best interior results. A matte finish hides small imperfections but is less washable. Eggshell finishes provide a balance of soft shine and moderate durability. Satin performs well in kitchens and bathrooms because it handles moisture. Semi gloss works beautifully on trim, doors, and cabinets because it is durable and easy to wipe. A flat finish is sometimes used for ceilings where light reflection needs to be minimal.

Longevity and Fade Resistance

The best interior paint must hold color over time. Sunlight, cleaning, and daily wear often cause fading in lower quality brands. Premium lines are designed to retain vibrancy even in bright rooms. When professional painters choose paint, they look for formulas tested for fade resistance and long term performance.

The Best Interior Paint Brands in 2025, Tested and Trusted

Benjamin Moore Regal Select, Best Overall for Everyday Homes

Regal Select has been tested for many years and continues to outperform other brands. It delivers excellent coverage, excellent durability, and a smoother finish with fewer roller marks. This line is known for consistent quality across every gallon. Homeowners love that it offers strong stain resistance and stays beautiful even in high traffic areas. Many professional painters choose Regal Select for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining room spaces because it creates high quality results without unnecessary shine.

Sherwin Williams Cashmere, Premium Appearance and Smooth Application

Sherwin Williams Cashmere is well known among professionals for its smooth, fine finish. It levels beautifully, creating a smoother finish on large walls. Cashmere offers better coverage than many mid range options, and it performs especially well in rooms where a refined look matters. This line is recommended when homeowners want fantastic appearance, easy application, and strong durability.

Benjamin Moore Aura, Best for Deep Color and Maximum Performance

Benjamin Moore Aura remains one of the most advanced interior paint lines available. Aura is especially strong when homeowners want rich, dark color shades. This formula provides excellent coverage and often requires fewer coats even with deep tones. The paint is thick, durable, and highly stain resistant. Benjamin Moore Aura has been tested in many different settings and its performance remains consistent. Its smooth application, excellent coverage, and long lasting durability make Aura one of the best interior products in the world today.

Behr Marquee, Best Budget Friendly High Performance Option

Behr Marquee is a strong performer for homeowners who shop at Home Depot or Lowes. Many people appreciate its one coat promise, although one coat is not always guaranteed on every surface. Still, Behr Marquee offers very good coverage and solid durability for the price. It is a good choice for rentals, remodel projects, or quick repaints. While it is not as refined as the premium Benjamin Moore or Sherwin lines, it delivers fantastic results for budget conscious jobs.

Zero VOC Options and Other Brands for Health Sensitive Homes

There are other brands that focus on low chemical emissions. These options help families reduce chemicals and odors and are ideal for nurseries or bedrooms. While not always as strong in terms of coverage or durability, they are valuable for homeowners who prioritize air quality. Professional painters often use these products when a client requests zero VOC performance.

Choosing the Best Paint Finish for Each Room

Best Finish for Living Rooms and Bedrooms

A matte finish or eggshell finish works well for most living spaces. Matte hides imperfections while eggshell offers slight shine with better durability. Two coats are usually recommended for even color and smoother results.

Best Finish for Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms require washable surfaces. Satin coatings work well because they resist moisture and clean easily. Stains wipe off without losing shine or damaging the finish.

Best Finish for Trim, Doors, and Baseboards

Trim and doors need durable finish lines that handle scrubbing. Semi gloss is the standard for these areas because it is easy to wipe and holds up well over time. Many homeowners appreciate how semi gloss makes fine details stand out.

Best Finish for Commercial Interiors

Commercial spaces face constant contact and must withstand signs of wear. Satin and semi gloss finishes offer the best performance and easy maintenance.

How to Choose the Best Interior Paint for Your Home

Step 1, Consider the Room’s Purpose

A dining room requires different durability than a hallway. A bedroom needs something soft and comforting. High traffic areas call for more durable choices, especially in homes with kids.

Step 2, Select the Correct Finish

Choosing the right finish helps match appearance with performance. A matte finish works well in low traffic areas. Eggshell provides moderate durability. Satin is best for moisture. Semi gloss works on trim.

Step 3, Evaluate Light Conditions

Light affects how colors look on walls. Dark color shades may appear slightly different at various times of the day. Professional painters often test samples on multiple surfaces before final application.

Step 4, Consider Health and Safety

Many families want paint with low chemical emissions or zero VOC formulas. This reduces chemicals and keeps bedrooms safer.

Step 5, Think Beyond Upfront Price

Price matters but should not be the only factor. Premium paint can save money because it offers better coverage, longer durability, and fewer recoats over time.

The Paints We Prefer at Cover Pro Painting

Our professional painters consistently recommend Benjamin Moore paint and Sherwin Williams interior lines because they offer excellent durability, reliable coverage, and high quality results. Benjamin Moore Aura, Regal Select, and Sherwin Williams Emerald remain our top choices for most homes. Sherwin Williams Emerald is especially strong in stain resistant performance and long lasting finish. We also offer Behr options when clients shop at Home Depot. Our team always tailors recommendations to the specific surfaces, colors, and long term goals of each homeowner.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Choosing Paint

Choosing Paint Based on Price Alone

Cheap gallons often require more coats and fail to deliver durable performance. A low price may lead to more work later.

Picking the Wrong Finish

Using flat or matte finish in high traffic areas can lead to stains that require aggressive scrubbing. Selecting the right finish improves longevity.

Ignoring Lighting

Rooms with bright windows may show imperfections. Testing paint beforehand helps prevent surprises.

Using Contractor Grade Options

Contractor grade materials often lack the performance of premium lines. These formulas wear faster and show stains sooner.

Following Trends Without Considering Longevity

Trendy colors may look great today but may not match future remodel choices.

FAQs, Best Interior Paint in 2025

What is the most durable interior paint for high traffic areas

Benjamin Moore Aura and Sherwin Williams Emerald offer some of the most durable performance.

What interior paint is safest for kids and pets

Low chemical emissions and zero VOC products provide safer air quality.

Is Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams better

Both brand lines offer strong results. Benjamin Moore provides excellent coverage and depth of color, while Sherwin Williams provides a smoother finish on many surfaces.

How many coats do I need

Most rooms require two coats. Some premium lines provide strong coverage with one coat depending on conditions.

Does low VOC actually matter

Yes, because VOCs are chemicals that contribute to odors and indoor air pollution.

Can I use the same paint for walls and trim

Trim needs a different product because it must handle scrubbing and wear.

What is the best finish for bathrooms

Satin works well because it resists moisture.

Why Working With Professional Painters Creates Better Results

Painting is more than applying color. Proper preparation, primer coat selection, surface repair, and choosing the right product determine the final quality. Professional painters know how to evaluate surfaces, identify stains, cover imperfections, and match finishes. They also achieve smooth lines, even coverage, and a fine appearance that is difficult to replicate without training.

Get Expert Interior Painting Help in the Puget Sound Area

If you want the best interior results for your remodel or repaint project, Cover Pro Painting is here to help. Our team values craftsmanship, careful detail, and premium materials. We proudly serve Edgewood, Puyallup, Tacoma, Kent, Issaquah, Auburn, Maple Valley, Bellevue, Federal Way, and nearby communities. With transparent pricing, free color consultations, and a dedication to excellence, we help homeowners create beautiful spaces that feel fresh, clean, and long lasting.

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