A garage is a functional extension of a home, sometimes used as a workshop, storage space, or just a hangout place. If you want to renovate your unfinished garage, the best place to start is with the walls. Painting your garage walls will not only look better, but it is also a fast and affordable way to brighten up the space.
But what garage wall paint colors should you choose, and how should you paint them like a professional? We will give you some ideas as well as step-by-step instructions on how you can paint your garage walls in a fast and affordable way. Let’s get started!
Wall Paint Color Ideas for a Garage
Dark Blue and White
When it comes to deciding the best color to paint your garage walls, most people prefer a bright shade of white for a crisp, vivid look. However, plain white walls can be rather boring, plus they show dirt easily. Just imagine touching your white walls with stained fingers after working on your car!
So what if you still like white but don’t want to constantly clean your walls? Then how about combining white with a dark shade of blue by painting the top half white and the rest in blue? This way, stains won’t be as obvious if you accidentally touch the middle to lower section of blue walls.
This color scheme is ideal for garages with adequate lighting or large spaces, as dark blue can make the place appear a little dim or confined.
Red and White
Another bold but warm-toned paint color you can combine with white is a rich shade of red. Burgundy, for example, is an ideal pairing with white, so you can still enjoy the brightness of white but without worrying about stains showing on the lower part of the wall.
Applying the red paint on the lower section of the garage wall is a smart idea, especially if you’re going to use the space as an entertainment center or man cave. There is also a wide variety of wall colors if you want to paint a man cave.
Orange and Light Gray
Since we’re on the topic of bold paint colors, why not consider a warm-toned orange to create a strong personality?
With such a vivid paint color, your garage will, without a doubt, look unique. However, painting the entire walls of your garage a bold shade of orange can be a little overpowering so you might want to limit it to just one wall and keep the rest neutral. A light shade of gray can be the perfect pairing with orange, as stains won’t show on the neutral surface.
All-Gray
Gray is among the perfect neutral paint color for interior garage walls as it can hide dirt and stains. An all-gray garage is a pleasing and refreshing option for anyone who wants a brighter and low-maintenance garage space.
Gray is a modern and masculine color, but it’s also very functional. This flexible paint color makes stains invisible, so you won’t have to spend all your energy and time cleaning your walls. Any shade of light gray will work, including cloud and silver, to name a few.
Green
You might think green is an unusual paint color for garage walls, but in fact, this refreshing, warm-toned option can make your room stand out. We recommend a dark shade of green, like mint or sage, for a smart-looking garage.
What Paint Color Hides Imperfections Best?
If you’re looking for a specific garage wall paint color that hides imperfections, opt for darker tones. Although darker colors can make a garage look confined and dim, they do a good job of concealing wall flaws and blemishes. Dark colors like navy, burgundy, and mint green are the best option for garages with adequate lighting or large spaces.
On the other hand, if your garage is small or lacks natural lighting, you may want to go with neutral colors like light grays. Such colors not only hide wall imperfections but also look modern and bright. Tip: choose a glossy or satin finish to give your garage walls extra shine.
If you are really concerned about hiding dirt, see some of the color choices in our guide on ‘ What Are the Carpet Colors to Hide Dirt?‘
What is the Best Paint and Finish for Garage Walls?
The type of paint finish you use for your interior garage walls depends on whether you prefer a matte or glossy look. Matte or flat paint is harder to clean and looks bland in a garage. A better choice would be eggshell or high-gloss, as they are super easy to clean, hide dirt very well and look great with lighter paint colors.
The best paint for interior garage walls is latex. It is quick drying with minimal odor as it’s water-based, plus you can thin it with water instead of paint thinner. If, however, you prefer using an oil-based paint, you should keep in mind that it may take longer to dry due to its strong odor.
In such a case, you must make sure your garage gets plenty of ventilation before and after painting the walls with oil-based paint.
That said, even with plenty of ventilation, it’s not recommended to use oil-based paint for closed-in spaces. The last thing you want to do is risk your health by inhaling the harmful chemicals of oil-based paint. Water-based latex will do the job just as effectively as it dries quickly and doesn’t require thinning, as previously mentioned.
How to Paint Your Garage Walls in 8 Quick Steps
Once you’ve chosen the best type of paint and finish for your garage walls, you’re ready to start with your painting project. Here are the tools you’ll need, some of which you are likely to have at home and the rest you can obtain from a hardware store:
- A vacuum cleaner or broom
- A cloth or towel
- Dish soap
- Bucket
- A long or extendable handle paint roller and a small paintbrush
- A paint tray for the roller
- A bristle edge brush
- A protective plastic sheet to cover the floor
- Masking tape
- Primer
- Latex interior paint
Now that you know what supplies you’ll need for the painting task ahead, you’re ready to follow the next easy steps:
Step 1: start by wiping the walls with a wet cloth soaked in dish soap. Make sure the walls are completely dry and dust-free before moving on to the next step. Use a vacuum cleaner or broom to remove dust or spider webs from the walls.
Step 2: lay down the protective plastic sheet on the floor, ensuring it covers the edges of the walls as you don’t want any spills ruining your floor.
Step 3: if your garage has any windows, use masking tape to protect the edges. Also, don’t forget to cover the light switches and power outlets with masking tape.
Step 4: now that the prep work is done, it’s time to prime the walls. Use a roller for the large surfaces and a paintbrush for the edges.
Step 5: allow the primer to dry for 24 hours before applying paint. Follow the same method as priming but make sure you use horizontal strokes this time starting from the top of the wall all the way down. This helps avoid drips – as long as you use thin coats of paint!
Step 6: allow the first coat of paint to dry thoroughly before applying the last coat. This usually takes 48 hours before the first coat is completely dry.
Step 7: once you’ve completed the painting process and it’s fully dry, remove the masking tapes.
Step 8: Get a damp cloth and wipe off any paint drips while they are still wet. In case the drips have dried, use a spatula to remove them from surfaces.
Here is a quick video you can watch to learn how to paint your garage walls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeGzsAMq0fQ
In Closing
We use our garage for many different purposes. Whether you want to create a man cave, extra storage space, or an entertainment center, it is important to keep your garage in a tip-top condition. If you use your garage purely for storing your car, then you might not care about the color of the walls.
However, you still need to use a good paint finish to protect them from blemishes. For any other purpose, like a man cave, gym, or hangout place, paint the walls a deep, warm color to make it feel cozy.
If you wish to use your garage space mainly as storage, you may want to paint the walls a neutral color. Whatever you intend to use your garage space for, always keep it functional and in order. By choosing the best paint color for the garage walls, you can enjoy this additional part of your home for many years.
