Paint your garage interior for a more practical and presentable space
Is your garage an unfinished dumping ground for tired toys, tools, and transportation? Giving the walls a lick of paint as part of a makeover can make it a more inviting space, cut back on grime, and protect against moisture and mildew. But it's not as simple as choosing the right paint color. When selecting the best paint for garage walls and ceilings, consider the wall materials, your local climate, and what you plan to use the space for.
Whether you're hiring an interior painter or diving into DIY, this list of paint types and their pros and cons will help you pick one that's perfect for your project.
| Type of Paint | Primary Advantage | Primary Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Latex | Economical | Least durable |
| Acrylic | Adheres well to concrete | Higher cost |
| Oil-based | Durability | Harmful chemicals |
| Epoxy | Waterproof | Hard to remove |
More often than not, water-based latex formulas will do the trick when painting garage walls and ceilings. These popular paint types are safe, economical, eco-friendly, easy to clean, and easy to apply to most wall materials (including drywall, wood, metal, and masonry). Because flexible latex paints readily expand and contract, they are ideal for uninsulated or unheated garages that experience major temperature fluctuations. You’ll be spoiled for choice in colors, sheens, and formulas—look out for latex paints containing mildewcides if your unfinished garage is a bit musty.
Avoid latex paint if you don’t relish repainting every few years, especially if you spend hours in your garage tackling dirty jobs—this paint type isn’t the most durable. If your garage is high traffic, you could opt for a more hard-wearing paint for the walls and still use a latex formula to paint the ceiling. And although latex paints can handle fluctuating temperatures, they aren’t as resistant to high humidity levels.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | Not as durable |
| Easy to apply | Prone to peeling |
| Easy to clean | Dislikes high humidity |
| Not prone to fading | Issues with adherence |
| Wide range of finishes | Can look streaky |
| Environmentally friendly | Prefers primer |
Best for: Most garage walls and ceilings—especially when you’re on a budget
When your garage has bare concrete or brick walls, painting them with an acrylic-based paint could be the best way to go. These paints have a higher polymer count than latex paints, meaning they are more expensive but durable. You might pay a little more for acrylic paint, but you shouldn’t have to repaint as soon as you would with a latex formula. They also adhere well to coarse concrete or brick surfaces and provide even, streak-free coverage. Consider a long-lasting acrylic masonry paint suitable for interior use, which expands and contracts with the concrete.
Use a sealing paint primer first to act as a humidity barrier, and apply at least two coats to get the most out of the paint.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Moisture-resistant | Costs more |
| Excellent adherence | Requires multiple coats |
| Easy to apply and clean | Fewer finishes |
Best for: Concrete or brick garage walls
Oil-based paints offer ultimate durability, making them appealing for a garage that acts as an always-in-use workshop. If your garage walls already have an old coat of oil-based paint, repainting with oil-based paints might be the best option. Water-based latex or acrylic paint won’t adhere effectively unless you strip away the old paint.
Oil-based paints aren’t the most environmentally-friendly paint formulas, often containing higher levels of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Plus, if your garage walls are damp, these pricey paints can trap moisture—expect premature peeling and blistering if you apply oil-based paint to wet walls.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable | Tricky to apply |
| Easy to clean | Costs the most |
| Stain-resistant | Less eco-friendly |
| Moisture-resistant | Long dry time |
| Even coverage | Can yellow |
Best for: Garage walls already painted with oil-based paints
If you want the durability of oil-based paints without the harmful VOCs, consider painting your garage walls and ceilings with epoxy paint. This waterproof paint type is a mix of latex paint and polymer resins. Unlike epoxy coatings applied to floors, epoxy paint is pretty DIY-friendly, but be prepared to apply two to four coats—and you need to allow at least 24 hours of curing time between each application.
The price, heavy prep work, and a punishing removal process mean this isn’t the best paint for most garage walls and ceilings, and you’ll want to call in a local painter to help you out. However, these scratch- and stain-resistant paints adhere well to pretty much any surface and will last for decades, looking good no matter how much car oil or grease you spatter on the surface.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly durable | High cost |
| Waterproof | Hard to remove |
| Stain-resistant | Limited choice |
Best for: Garage walls subject to stains and greasy spatters
The sheen (a measure of reflected light) of paint finishes also plays a part in choosing the best paint for your garage walls and ceilings—it isn’t just the look it influences.
Low-luster matte and non-reflective flat paints soak up available light. If your garage walls aren’t in the best shape, these budget-friendly, forgiving sheens will hide minor imperfections and add a contemporary feel. However, they are the least durable, aren’t easy to clean, and are dull-looking, so they aren’t ideal for dark, dusty, mud-spattered, high-traffic garages.
Consider a subtle, low-sheen eggshell paint if your garage has big windows to prevent a distracting glare. Eggshell is ideal for your garage ceiling to mute harsh lighting and create a more inviting atmosphere. It is a little more durable than flat paint but isn’t easy to clean, so avoid use in high-traffic spaces.
Satin paints produce a subtle luster while being durable and easy to clean. These middle-ground, multi-purpose, moisture-resistant paints are a popular choice for garages. However, blending old and new paint can be tricky when touching up mud-splattered walls.
If you’re doing lots of dirty jobs like renovating an old car leaking oil, scrubbing gardening tools, or woodworking, you’ll want to pick a sheen that makes cleaning walls easier. High-sheen semi-gloss paint makes a small garage seem brighter and is super wipeable and durable. However, this reflective finish will show any lumps or bumps on the surface of your garage wall.
High-gloss is durable, dirt- and moisture-resistant, and easy to clean. But unless you're using it on high-traffic trim, such as baseboards or doors, in your garage, it’s probably too eye-squintingly intense and reflective for use across entire walls and ceilings. Plus, semi-gloss and high-gloss paints are more commonly oil-based, often emitting harmful VOCs.
If your garage is subject to big temperature fluctuations or you work in it with the door open in all weather, you might wonder whether you can use exterior paint inside. While exterior paint formulas offer extra durability and weatherproofing, they’re rarely the best choice for garage walls and ceilings. They often contain chemicals and emit toxic fumes that can be risky in enclosed spaces. If you want to use up that spare tub of exterior paint, only do so if it is labeled as safe for indoor use and keep the space well-ventilated while applying and drying.
