A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest ways to change how a room looks and feels. It is also one of the most common jobs people tackle themselves. Most of us think about colour and finish first. The air in the room while the paint dries deserves some thought too.
Paints and many other finishes can release chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Choosing products with lower VOC content and airing the room well can make the job more pleasant. Here is what to look for and how to plan the work.
What VOCs are and where they come from
A team of Australian researchers describe VOCs as pervasive indoor air pollutants. Their review of VOCs in Australian indoor environments looked at 25 years of Australian studies. It found that for nearly all pollutants, indoor levels were several times higher than outdoor levels.
Paint is only one source. Building materials, furniture, cleaning products and everyday activities all add to the mix. The same review found new homes had the highest VOC levels among the housing studies. That matters if you are painting, laying new floors and bringing in new furniture all at once.
Not every finish behaves the same way. A report prepared for the National Health and Medical Research Council in 1992 noted that solvent based building products have much higher emission rates than water based ones. Favouring water based paints for most interior walls and ceilings follows the same idea. Check the label for the product type before you buy.
Reading paint labels
Many paint brands now sell low VOC or very low VOC ranges. These claims usually appear on the front of the tin. Look closer at the label and the product information for the actual details. Compare the details between brands rather than relying on the headline claim.
The label will also tell you the drying time, recoat time and how much ventilation to use. Follow these closely, since rushing a second coat can spoil the finish. Some products also come with a safety data sheet. It is worth reading for any primer, sealer or specialty finish.
Think about every product in the job, not just the wall paint. Primers, stain blockers, timber finishes and fillers can all carry stronger smells. If you are coating built in joinery, the finish choice is part of the design. Our guide to choosing custom kitchen cabinetry covers some of the decisions that come with cabinet finishes.
Picking colours with the room in mind
You can choose the shade first and then look for a low VOC product in that colour. Light colours bounce more light around a room and can make it feel larger. Our tips on making a kitchen look and feel bigger show how colour works with layout and lighting.
Sheen level affects both looks and upkeep. Flat or matt finishes hide wall flaws well but can be harder to wipe clean. Low sheen suits most living areas. Semi gloss is common on doors, trims and wet areas where cleaning is more frequent.
Test pots help you avoid a costly mistake. Paint a large patch on two or three walls and look at it through the day. Colours often look quite different in morning and evening light. Leave the samples for a few days before you commit.
Airing the room while you paint
Good airflow is the simplest way to reduce the build up of fumes. That report lists increased ventilation as one way to control indoor VOC sources. Open windows and doors on opposite sides of the room where you can. A fan placed in a window and blowing outwards can help draw air through.
Keep the airflow going after the brush work is done. The same report found VOC levels were much higher in new buildings less than three months old than in established ones. It expected those levels to fall over the first few months. Repainting a room is a much smaller job, but leaving windows open for longer in the days after painting is still a sensible habit.
Plan the order of work with this in mind. Paint bedrooms early in the day so they have time to air before night. Close off the room from the rest of the house if you cannot open windows. Take breaks outside during long sessions.
Protecting floors and soft furnishings
Move rugs, cushions and curtains out of the room before you start. Soft furnishings can pick up drips and odours. Cover hard floors and carpet with drop sheets that will not slip. Tape the edges of the sheets along skirting boards.
If you are having carpets cleaned as part of the refresh, plan it for after the painting. Freshly cleaned carpet also needs airflow while it dries. Our notes on what to do after professional carpet cleaning explain how to look after it in the first few days. Doing the jobs in the right order saves you cleaning twice.
Cleaning up and storing leftover paint
Clean brushes and rollers as the label directs. Water based paint usually cleans up with water. Never tip paint or wash water into a stormwater drain. Ask your local council about how to dispose of leftover paint and empty tins in your area.
Store part used tins with the lid pressed on firmly. Keep them somewhere cool and out of living areas, such as a garage shelf. Write the room and colour on the lid so touch ups are easy later. For larger jobs, our guide to cleaning up after a DIY timber renovation has more tips on dust and mess.
A short checklist before you start
- Choose water based, low VOC products where they suit the surface.
- Read the label for drying times, recoat times and ventilation advice.
- Open windows on opposite sides and use a fan blowing outwards.
- Remove soft furnishings and cover floors well.
- Keep airing the room for several days after painting.
Frequently asked questions
Are low VOC paints as durable as standard paints?
Many low VOC ranges are sold for everyday walls and ceilings. Durability depends on the product, the sheen and how well the surface was prepared. Check the label for where the paint is meant to be used. Good preparation often matters more than the paint itself.
How long should I air a room after painting?
Follow the drying and ventilation advice on the tin first. Research on new buildings found VOC levels fell over the first few months. Keeping windows open for several days after the job is a sensible step. Longer is better for bedrooms and nurseries.
Do I still need ventilation with a low VOC paint?
Yes, it is still a good idea. Low VOC does not mean no VOC. Primers, fillers and other products used in the same job may also release vapours. Fresh air helps the paint dry and keeps the room more comfortable.
Are water based paints suitable for trims and doors?
Water based enamels are widely sold for doors, trims and joinery. They are often chosen because they clean up with water. Check the label to confirm the product suits the surface. Some older oil painted surfaces need a suitable primer first.
This article is general information only. If anyone in your home has asthma, allergies or other breathing concerns, speak with a doctor or qualified health professional before a painting project.
