NE Portland Painters Blog

Have you ever started a home project and found yourself Googling job titles? If so, this blog post is just for you! “Carpenter” and “finish carpenter” are often used interchangeably, but they are not quite the same thing. The difference matters, especially when the details are what make the room. At NE Portland Painters, we work in that space where …

Every year, the major paint brands announce their “Colors of the Year,” and while it can feel like a marketing stunt, it’s also a useful snapshot of where the design world is headed. For homeowners here in the greater Seattle area, these color picks can offer helpful inspiration for everything from accent walls to full repaints. Below are the colors …

When it comes to creating a professional, inviting, and productive workplace, paint plays a far greater role than many realize. The right colors, finishes, and application techniques not only influence how employees feel in a space but also impact client impressions and long-term maintenance costs. Here are some tips to consider when planning a commercial painting project for any office, …

When it comes to painting, deciding between an accent wall or coloring an entire room is more than just a style choice it’s a strategic design decision. Understanding the pros and cons of each option will help you create a space that’s not only beautiful but intentional. Here’s our professional breakdown, with expert-backed advice and real-world examples. What Is an …

Let’s be honest, home renovations can be overwhelming. Between the dust, the cost, and the time commitment. Even small upgrades can quickly snowball into major projects. But what if we told you that some of the biggest visual transformations don’t require tearing down walls or replacing furniture? For many Seattle homeowners, paint is the unsung hero of home improvement. With …

When it comes to painting your home or commercial space, choosing the right color is only half the battle. The finish you select plays a major role in the final look, durability, and overall performance of your paint job. At NE Portland Painters, we often guide our clients through these decisions to ensure they get the best results possible. Here’s …

Walk onto any job site or construction zone, and tradespeople are typically easy to tell apart. Carpenters carry their tool belts, electricians have their meters and wire cutters, and painters? More often than not, they’re dressed head to toe in white. But why is this? Why do painters, in particular, wear white—a color so prone to stains and splatters? As …

It can be a difficult journey finding the right paint for your home, that’s why we’re here to help! As 2025 unfolds the common theme is color trends are turning to warm, comforting hues that invite calm and creativity into our living spaces. In this blog post we’ll look at what leading color authorities like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and Pantone have selected as their Color of the Year, providing a glimpse into the design trends that will shape interiors in the months ahead. 

A well-crafted fence not only enhances your property’s privacy and security but also adds to its aesthetic appeal. At NE Portland Painters, we specialize in delivering high-quality fencing services tailored to meet your unique needs and preferences.   Our Fencing Services Our team of skilled carpenters is experienced in building and repairing a variety of fence types, ensuring both functionality and …

Your deck is more than just an outdoor extension of your home—it’s a place for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. At NE Portland Painters, we understand the importance of having a durable and low-maintenance deck that stands up to the elements while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home. That’s why we recommend composite decking …

As colder weather approaches, homeowners often focus on preparing the inside of their homes for the cold. However, your home’s exterior needs just as much attention, especially when it comes to paint. Cold temperatures, moisture, and harsh weather can have a serious impact on your paint job, leading to peeling, cracking, and even long-term damage to the structure of your …

When it comes to maintaining your home, a fresh coat of paint might seem purely cosmetic. However, paint serves a critical role in protecting your home from the elements, especially in a rainy climate like Seattle’s. Neglecting regular paint maintenance can lead to costly repairs that far exceed the investment in keeping your home properly painted. Let’s break down the …

This November we had the privilege of participating in the “Painting a Better Tomorrow” event, hosted by the Master Builders Association of King County (MBAKS). This volunteer project aimed to transform a nonprofit space with a fresh coat of paint, and we able donate our services to be apart of this transformation. A New Look for the Bellevue Boys & …

Selecting the perfect paint color can be challenging, no matter the space. We of all people understand the time and energy that goes into painting a room, so choosing the right color is crucial to avoid future repaints just to fix the aesthetics. When it comes to your bedroom, the pressure is even higher—you’ll spend countless hours in this space, …

NE Portland Painters recently completed a volunteer project for Mary’s Place Seattle! We are grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to an amazing nonprofit like this one. As stated on their website, “The Mary’s Place mission is to ensure that no child sleeps outside by centering equity and opportunity for women and families.” We are always on the …

The Psychology of Color: It’s no small task to choose the perfect paint color for your space. The colors you choose aren’t just about decoration; they’re a gateway to crafting emotions, moods, and atmospheres within a space. Paint colors play a crucial role in crafting emotions, moods, and atmospheres within a room. In this article, we explore the impact of …

Each house has its own story to tell, and homeowners often grapple with the age-old question of how to maximize their property’s appeal and value when putting it on the market. There are many options you can try when looking to increase your home value, and one solution is a fresh coat of paint. We often hear from people who …

The process of selecting a painting contractor has changed over the years, leaving even the most experienced homeowners with new challenges. The selection process is being shaped by the evolution of technology, shifting consumer expectations, and a heightened focus on transparency and professionalism. In this blog we will go over a few things to look out for when selecting a …

As we get closer to the new year, the interior design world is filled with excitement. We have all been eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the Colors of the Year by industry leaders Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, and they’re finally here! These paint colors are amazing, and we cannot wait to see them in action this year. These annual announcements …

A deck is a wonderful addition to any home, providing a perfect outdoor space for relaxation and entertainment. However, to maintain its beauty and longevity, regular maintenance is important. One of the essential aspects of deck maintenance is choosing the right type of stain. Two popular options are semi-transparent and solid stains. In this blog post, we’ll explain the key …

In today’s evolving technological landscape, businesses across various industries are using innovative solutions to streamline their operations, maximize efficiency, and improve the client experience. Painting companies and their clients can benefit from integrating a virtual estimating software into their business process. There are many ways to do painting quotes now. This type of software enables the sales process to get …

Every year, paint manufacturers Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore release their predictions for the trendiest colors of the year. These colors are typically inspired by current trends in fashion, home decor, and pop culture. These colors can be a great way to incorporate the latest styles into your home. Sherwin Williams Sherwin Williams 2023 color of the year is called …

Deciding on the color for a paint project can sometimes be a difficult task. There are a variety of considerations such as the room type, furniture color, and lighting. In this post, we’re going to show you a quick and efficient digital tool from Sherwin Williams to help you choose a paint color and visualize the look of the space. …

Throughout the pandemic, there has been a surge in demand for home improvement projects. A main necessity for these projects is paint. Paint shortages have been on the rise over the last year. It’s becoming more difficult to find paint for customers who want to do the projects themselves, along with companies like NE Portland Painters. Ongoing global supply chain …

There are thousands of articles announcing the 2021 exterior color trends on the internet. SPS even featured some of those color trends in our recent blog post, and one of those colors will be featured below! Many of these articles and blog posts give you one color meant for the majority of your home. But what color do you paint …

We collected tips for managing the increased demand for home services and, in general, planning for future home improvement projects.

We all have said this MANY times before, but, once again, 2020 was crazy! Many of us thought quarantine would be a time to relax and take a break from our “regular” lives. However, 2020 did not let that happen. If the news coverage was not stressful enough, the line between our work and personal lives became non-existent. We all …

When planning your next home improvement project, you might have a million ideas. How you go about narrowing down those ideas will help you end with a final product that satisfies your needs and tastes. In this blog, we will provide some tips for planning and executing your next project.  1. Where you would like to start? Home improvement projects …

The handyman in your life deserves some awesome gifts that will make their craft or hobby more exciting and easier. These are some of our ideas to branch out from the normal toolsets and belts. Our list includes many gadgets, home improvement staples, and more! Even 2020 calls for last-minute holiday shopping, so here’s our gift guide! 1: LED Headlamp …

Accent walls are a great way to add a creative spin on an average interior paint project! The possibilities are ENDLESS! Below we provide tips and tricks for creating a show-stopping accent wall. Why are accent walls important? Accent walls can have many functions that can make them fantastic design features of your home or space. Accent walls work to… …

When starting a new home improvement project, budgeting is an intensive and stressful activity. Knowing what goes into the bidding process will help you budget more effectively. After receiving a bid for your future project, you may be asking yourself how the sales representatives arrived at a specific price. What do they consider? What makes one room more costly to …

Christmas in July Christmas came early, deck your halls with a new paint job! For the remainder of summer, we have a limited time offer! Book ahead and enjoy $500 off interior painting project valued at $2500 or more during the fall and winter.   *Terms and Conditions* To get a free painting quote, fill out the following form. We …

Painting your house but don’t know where to start? NE Portland Painters is here to help! Some methods are more expensive and time consuming than others, so we have broken it down into 3 options with varying prices. Read on to learn about 3 ways to find your perfect paint color. (1) Utilize mobile apps and online resources Color Portfolio …

Review sites are more popular than ever. While painting contractors of yesterday relied almost entirely on print advertising and word of mouth, the landscape has changed. Today’s consumers, especially millennials, are drawn to the web to make purchasing decisions, including selecting a painting contractor. While personal recommendations will always be valuable and reliable, online reviews are catching up. They can …

Cabinet painting seems to be at the height of popularity. With light-and-bright kitchens being on trend, many homeowners choose to kick off their remodeling project with renovated cabinets. Many have found the cost of painting cabinets to be far more affordable than replacing. With new paint and updated hardware, homeowners can go from dated natural oak cabinets to modern white …

One of the things that makes a home truly yours is showing your unique style. Interior paint is one of the best ways to do this, and even a small change can showcase exactly who you are. There are a number of ways you can use interior paint in unique ways to create a space people will ooh and ahh …

It’s that time of year! It’s the height of summer. The sun is its brightest, and hottest, and Seattle is in full-on summer mode! It’s a joyous time to be in our city, but those of us in the painting trade have been vigorously working to make magic happen in our busiest time of year. Our field staff have been …

If you are looking to re-side your home and want to evaluate the pros and cons of each siding type, or if you would simply like more information on the type of siding on your home, this blog contains a summary of common house siding types in the Puget Sound region and beyond. As a Seattle house painting contractor, we …

This is a guest post by Paul Denikin who blogs at dadknowsdiy.com. Paul Denikin enjoys working on DIY home repair projects. He learned to navigate the world of DIY while raising a child with special needs. Even if you live in a place with milder winters where extreme cold isn’t a huge issue, the season can still bring a significant …

You’ve made the decision. It’s time to paint your home! You’ve done your research, decided what colors and sheen you would like for your walls or exterior siding. You run out to the local home improvement store, and pick up the amount of paint you believe you’ll need. Now, all you need is a professional to apply the paint for you. …

In one of our earlier blogs, we discussed interior paint sheens and tips on where they are best applied. In today’s edition, we’ll discuss exterior paint sheens! Like interior paints, exterior paints are available in a variety of sheens. The tips below will help you choose the best sheen for your exterior surfaces. Flat Like its interior counterpart, flat exterior paint …

What is paint, really? This might seem like a silly question to ask, but the truth is, we need some knowledge of what paint is made of in order to know a high-quality product from a lesser one. Paint is made of up several components, including: Binders Binders are what attaches a pigment to a surface. They are both synthetic …

Beyond just enhancing your home’s aesthetic charm, a fresh exterior paint job is a shield against the Pacific Northwest elements. Fresh paint serves as a protective layer, significantly slowing weathering and wood decay. Many homeowners overlook the upkeep of their exterior paint, risking irreversible damage. Neglected exterior paint invites potential harm to your home, leaving varying levels of siding repair …

You may feel inspired to choose paint colors that evoke a certain mood or feeling for your next project. Color psychology refers to the study of our emotional and behavioral responses to colors. here, we’ll discuss some insights from color psychology to help you plan your living spaces and color schemes. Please not, emotional responses to certain colors may be …

Seattle painting contractor NE Portland Painters, LLC has been awarded the “Best of Houzz” Award in the category of Customer Service! This marks NE Portland Painters’ third consecutive Customer Service award from Houzz. Houzz Inc., the leading platform for home renovation and design, today announced the community’s picks for Best Of Houzz 2016 in North America, a homeowner-to-homeowner guide to the …

Painting your kitchen or bathroom cabinets can provide a drastic, much-needed facelift to your living spaces. However, the process can be very labor intensive, and therefore the cost can be relatively high compared to other painting projects, whether you do it on your own, or hire a professional. This can be a big decision! Given the intensity of this particular …

What happens to your paint cans after your project is finished? Everybody seems to have a stash of paint cans somewhere in their home. Is there a particular way you should store it so that you can use it again?NE Portland Painters answers below. Stay Organized The most important thing to remember is to label all of your paint cans. …

Your home is exposed to the elements all the time, and that takes its toll. Pressure washing helps remove all of the built-up dirt and grime on your house, and it’s one of the most important steps to take when preparing for a new paint job. Different pressure washers have varying levels of effectiveness. For example, electric pressure washers are generally only suited for …

Earlier this year, we discussed touching up the paint on your home’s exterior. With interior painting being most active in the Winter season, we will now discuss techniques for touching up interior paint. Even if your paint job starts out as immaculate, accidents happen. Scratches, scrapes, kids, and pets can damage a once pristine surface. Unfortunately, touch-ups can be one of …

Preparing your home for winter can potentially involve endless steps. As many of us know, a homeowner’s work is never complete. So, to help you out, we compiled this short list of what we believe are some of the most important steps to preparing your home for the winter months. Seal your Home from Moisture and Keep Heat In! Your house should …

Touching up an exterior paint job can be tricky business. Depending on how long ago your house was painted, touching up problem areas without extra care can lead to flashing (uneven sheen of paint). In fact, if your house was painted several years ago, even a careful touch-up job may result in flashing due to the aging of paint over time. Inspection …

When hiring a professional painting firm, the preparation is just as important as the painting itself. Here is a brief list of preparation steps you should look for and ask about on your exterior painting estimate to ensure a job well done. 1. Thorough walk-through / inspection It may sound obvious, but it’s important! Prior to painting a house, there …

There is a strong chance that your house contains lead-based paint if it was built before 1978. If you’re hiring a contractor, the old paint will likely be disturbed.  The dust created by normal preparation procedures can be very harmful to those who come into contact with it. In fact, dust is the most common way that people are exposed …

Exterior Painting Tips: Back-Brushing As the painting industry has evolved, airless sprayers have become more and more prominent for exterior painting.  The benefits of using an airless sprayer include the ability to paint larger areas in less time, and the uniform appearance created by the sprayer’s even application. These factors make it the perfect choice when painting a large house.  However, …

Metal can be one of the trickiest surfaces to paint. It requires special preparation and special products.  If you apply paint without a thought, as if you were painting any other surface, the results may be disappointing. As professional painting contractors,  every so often we tackle a job where we have to paint metal surfaces. Here are some tips to …

Because primer is important! Despite all of the hype surrounding “Paint and Primer in One” products, there are many situations where a coat of primer on its own is crucial to properly preparing a surface (interior or exterior!) for a paint job.  While “Paint and Primer in One” products are often an excellent choice for previously painted interior surfaces that are in …

Mallory Paint Store is NE Portland Painters’ choice for quality paints in the Puget Sound, selling the full line of Benjamin Moore Paints. We frequently work with their Color Experts to help us evaluate paint colors for our clients and match colors as well. We are honored to be a featured contractor on their website! Thanks, Mallory Paint! Read the …

When thinking about paint colors, many people opt for one bold, dramatic accent wall to mark their individual tastes and styles. If you’re thinking of painting an accent wall, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, placing an accent wall is a bit of an art. Kristie Barnett from The Decorologist couldn’t have said it better. …

In the Puget Sound, we experience rain for the majority of the year. Of course, this plays a significant role in planning exterior painting projects.  Along with the moisture level outside, temperature should also be considered before painting. How Moisture Affects Paint Paint cures by evaporation of water/solvents, and too much moisture or extreme temperatures (too cold or too hot) inhibit this …

We frequently tell our clients that the time and care it takes to prepare the painting surface is just as important as the painting itself. Here, we discuss the specific steps we take to prepare for interior painting. This is also a great resource for DIYers hoping to obtain professional-looking results! 1. To prepare the room for painting, remove all furniture …

As painting contractors, our clients sometimes ask us why the paint inside their home has begun to flake and peel over time. Often, we find that these are older coats of oil-based paint, and it occurs most often on trim work and doors. The problem is paint incompatibility, which often takes place when a surface previously coated with oil-based paint …

How many coats of paint should I use?  This is a question often asked of painting contractors, and something homeowners might struggle with when completing their own projects.  It depends on the nature of the project, but generally, two coats is the minimum. Exterior Surfaces Without question, when painting exterior surfaces, two coats of paint should be applied. Since outdoor …

When choosing the right product for your painting project, you not only have to consider color, but also sheen!  This is much less straight forward than color alone, but picking the right sheen can have a huge impact.  Our expert painting team put together a list below where you’ll find a list of the different types of paint sheens available …

We’re getting closer and closer to the holiday season! Do you have any special decorating ideas?  The sky’s the limit for Christmas lights! You may not have the time or equipment to safely hang Christmas lights.  Let us do it for you!  That’s right; in the winter time, we offer this special service along with our regular painting services. Sound …

While professional painters often forgo using tape to create clean lines, DIYers have found that this painting tip is the quickest and easiest way to achieve professional-looking results without “cutting-in”. Keep in mind that even if you have your tape laid out just right, you still should apply the paint carefully. Liberally slapping on paint will result in messier lines, especially …

Paint is the most visible thing in your home. You probably have spent many hours picking out just the right colors. But you should also think about what you don’t see in your home — that “new paint smell,” for example. What you’re really smelling are VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, and the fewer of those you have in your …

Earlier this year, we wrote about how painting the exterior of your home is a cost-effective way to add value to your home. Now that it is winter, we will be discussing simple ways to add value to your home by updating the interior! This list includes some of our favorite low-cost methods. These options are inexpensive, but all can …

There is a vast selection of products on the market. It’s no wonder homeowners often feel overwhelmed when it comes time to buy paint for their next home improvement project. Hiring a reputable painting contractor like NE Portland Painters has some pros. That contractor should also serve as a wealth of knowledge concerning the wide variety of available products. They …

With the exterior season beginning to wind down, you might be thinking about that interior painting project you have meant to get started on.  Choosing colors can be a daunting task. After all, the inside of your home is where you will likely spend most of your time, and the mood created by your paint selections should make you happy! …

Decks are a summer staple, with the promise of the season bringing backyard barbecues and outdoor gatherings. As summer approaches, you may be considering refinishing your deck. Decks are an area of your home requiring extra care, as they are subject to heavy traffic, harsh weather, and moisture. A quality stain provides your deck with an extra layer of protection against the …

If you are looking to sell your home in the near future, consider hiring a professional painting contractor. A fresh, quality paint job has the potential to add thousands of dollars in value to your home. An attractive exterior paint job may also entice potential buyers and create a great first impression of your property. Before you decide to paint, …

With the warming of the weather this year in Seattle, people are considering painting their homes earlier in the season.  Because your home is one of your most valuable assets, it’s important to get the right contractor to do the job.  We’ve all heard horror stories of work that has been done poorly or never completed because the wrong contractor …