Interior House Painting: Professional Guide for Bay Area Homeowners

At Lamorinda Painting, we've been providing high-quality interior painting services to Bay Area homeowners since 2003. We're based in Lafayette and proudly serve Lamorinda, the East Bay, and the greater Bay Area with professional interior painting at affordable prices.

We're fully licensed and insured, and we treat every project with attention to detail. From careful prep to spotless cleanup, your satisfaction is our top priority. Whether you're refreshing a single bedroom or repainting your entire home, our crew brings the same meticulous approach to every room.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about interior painting. You'll learn what makes a professional interior paint job last, how we protect your home during the process, and how to choose the right finishes for each room. Whether you're planning to hire professionals or exploring your options, you'll understand what goes into a factory-smooth, durable interior finish.

Contact us today for a free estimate on your interior painting project.

Table of Contents:

Why Interior Painting Is a Smart Investment for Your Home

Interior painting offers one of the biggest visual transformations you can make to your home without major construction. Fresh paint brightens rooms, updates outdated color schemes, and creates a clean slate for your furniture and décor.

The return on investment is substantial. Real estate professionals consistently note that freshly painted interiors help homes show better and can contribute to faster sales at better prices. Even if you're not selling, the psychological impact of living in a clean, updated space affects how you feel about your home every single day.

Perfect for Bay Area Homes

Throughout Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Walnut Creek, and the surrounding East Bay, we see a wonderful mix of home styles. Older character homes with beautiful molding and trim details benefit from careful brushwork that highlights these features. Newer open-concept homes need seamless color flow from room to room. Mid-century ranches often have textured walls that require specialized techniques.

Our crew has painted hundreds of Bay Area homes and understands how to work with each style. We know which prep steps matter most for plaster walls in older Lafayette homes, how to handle the smooth drywall in newer construction, and how to coordinate colors across the open floor plans common in modern Lamorinda properties.

Climate Considerations

The Bay Area's climate is remarkably forgiving for interior painting. We don't face the extreme humidity of coastal regions or the severe temperature swings of inland deserts. However, moisture from bathrooms and kitchens, heating and cooling cycles, and the natural settling of homes all affect how paint performs over time.

We use high-quality interior paints formulated to handle these conditions. Premium acrylics flex slightly as walls expand and contract, resist moisture in bathrooms and kitchens, and clean easily when life happens. The products we select for Bay Area homes aren't overkill—they're matched to how you actually live.

Can You DIY or Should You Hire Professional Painters?

What Interior House Painting Really Involves

Interior painting looks straightforward until you're three hours into taping trim and realize you still haven't opened a paint can. A professional interior paint job includes far more than rolling paint on walls.

The process starts with moving and protecting furniture, removing switch plates and outlet covers, and masking trim, ceilings, and floors. Next comes surface preparation: filling nail holes and cracks, sanding patched areas smooth, scuffing glossy surfaces so new paint adheres, caulking gaps where trim meets walls, and spot-priming repairs.

Then there's the painting itself. Professional painters cut in along ceilings, trim, and corners with a steady hand before rolling walls in a methodical pattern that avoids lap marks. Multiple coats go on with proper dry time between each. Finally, everything gets cleaned, furniture returns to place, and you're left with a room that looks completely refreshed.

Each step matters. Skip the wall washing in a kitchen and grease spots bleed through. Rush the caulking and gaps reappear in six months. Use cheap paint and you'll see roller marks in certain light.

When DIY Might Make Sense

Some homeowners genuinely enjoy painting and have the time to do it right. If you're painting a small guest bedroom, have a free weekend, and feel comfortable on a ladder, DIY can work well. The same goes for accent walls or small spaces like powder rooms.

The keys to successful DIY painting are realistic timelines, proper tools, and patience. You'll need quality brushes and rollers, good painter's tape, drop cloths, spackling compound, sandpaper, and enough time to do each step without cutting corners. Following manufacturer instructions for product selection, surface prep, and application conditions makes the difference between a finish that lasts and one that disappoints.

When Hiring Professionals Is Worth It

Larger projects, homes with tall ceilings, intricate trim work, or tight timelines all favor professional painters. If you're repainting multiple rooms or an entire house, the time commitment grows exponentially. What takes our crew two to three days might take a homeowner two to three weeks of evenings and weekends.

Professional painters bring specialized equipment: high-quality sprayers for smooth cabinet and trim finishes, scaffolding and ladders for vaulted ceilings, commercial-grade ventilation for proper drying, and dust containment systems that keep the rest of your home clean.

We also bring experience with problem-solving. When we find water damage behind a bathroom mirror or discover that previous painters used oil-based trim paint that needs special prep, we know exactly how to handle it. These situations can derail a DIY project but are routine for professionals.

For busy Lafayette and Lamorinda families juggling work, kids, and Bay Area traffic, hiring professional painters means your home gets transformed without disrupting your schedule. You come home to finished rooms instead of spending your precious free time on ladders.

If you decide professional help makes sense for your project, our team can handle everything from initial color consultation to final cleanup. Contact us for a free estimate.

Step-by-Step: Our Interior Painting Process

Our interior painting process has been refined over twenty years of painting Bay Area homes. Each step builds on the previous one to create a durable, beautiful finish that lasts.

Step 1 - Planning and Color Selection

Great interior painting starts before we open a paint can. We begin with a detailed consultation about your goals, timeline, and color preferences.

Understanding Your Space

We look at how natural light moves through each room. North-facing bedrooms in Lafayette homes often need warmer tones to counter cool morning light. South-facing living rooms can handle cooler colors without feeling cold. Rooms with large windows overlooking Bay Area greenery look beautiful in colors that complement the outdoor views.

We also consider your existing elements. Hardwood floors, granite countertops, tile backsplashes, and fixed cabinetry all influence color selection. The goal is to choose colors that work with these permanent features rather than fighting against them.

Color Consultation

We're happy to provide color guidance based on what we've seen work well in similar Bay Area homes. Warm whites and soft greiges are popular throughout Lamorinda because they create bright, clean spaces without the starkness of pure white. Deeper accent colors on feature walls add personality without overwhelming smaller rooms.

For open-concept homes, we help you select a cohesive color flow that makes spaces feel connected while still defining different areas. Master suites often use calmer, more restful tones, while family spaces can handle more energy and color.

We can work with colors you've already selected, help you narrow down paint chips you're considering, or guide you through the selection process from scratch. Our goal is to ensure you're confident in your choices before painting begins.

Step 2 - Protecting Your Home (Setup)

Before any painting happens, we transform your space into a protected work area. This setup process is where our attention to detail really shows.

We move your furniture to the center of the room and wrap it with new plastic sheeting. This keeps everything clean and protected from both paint and dust. Wall and ceiling fixtures—light fixtures, ceiling fans, thermostats—get covered or carefully removed depending on what makes sense for the project.

Floors receive drop cloths or protective paper that stays in place throughout the job. We use professional-grade materials that don't slip or tear, protecting hardwood, tile, carpet, and everything else from paint drips and foot traffic.

Switch plates and outlet covers come off and get labeled so they go back exactly where they belong. Door hardware that's staying gets masked. Windows get protected at the edges where we'll be cutting in paint.

This setup takes time, but it's time well spent. When we're done painting, your furniture, floors, and fixtures will look exactly as they did before we arrived—just surrounded by freshly painted walls.

Step 3 - Surface Prep and Repairs (Preparation)

Surface preparation is where the difference between average and excellent paint jobs becomes clear. We approach this step with the same attention to detail we bring to the actual painting.

Cleaning and Degreasing

Walls collect dust, cooking grease, hand oils, and everyday grime. Paint doesn't stick well to dirty surfaces. We start by washing walls, paying special attention to kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas where buildup is heaviest. After washing, surfaces dry completely before we move to the next step.

Filling and Patching

Every home has nail holes, small cracks, and minor dings in the walls. We fill these with high-quality spackling compound, applying it carefully so repairs blend seamlessly with surrounding surfaces. Larger repairs get reinforced with mesh tape before filling.

Bay Area homes, especially older properties in Lafayette and Orinda, often show hairline cracks where walls meet ceilings or at door and window frames. These come from normal settling and seasonal temperature changes. We address these with flexible caulk that moves with the home rather than cracking again.

Sanding

Once patches dry, we sand them smooth and flush with the wall surface. We also scuff-sand any glossy areas where new paint needs to stick. This light sanding creates the mechanical bond that keeps paint in place for years.

Sanding creates dust, which is why we use dust-collection sanders where possible and vacuum thoroughly afterward. Any remaining dust gets wiped down with tack cloths before priming begins.

Caulking

Professional caulking transforms a good paint job into a great one. We run a smooth bead of paintable caulk where trim meets walls, filling the small gaps that collect dust and catch the eye. We also caulk around door and window frames, along baseboards, and at ceiling lines where needed.

This step requires a steady hand and the right materials. We use high-quality, paintable acrylic caulk that stays flexible and won't yellow over time. The result is clean, crisp lines that make the whole room look more polished.

Step 4 - Priming for Durability

Primer is the foundation of a lasting paint job. While not every surface needs primer, we apply it wherever it makes a technical difference.

When We Prime

New drywall and patched areas always get primed. These porous surfaces soak up paint unevenly without a primer coat, leading to flat spots and shiny spots that show through finished coats. Primer seals the surface so topcoats go on evenly.

We also prime when changing from dark to light colors. Even the best paints struggle to cover deep colors in just two coats. A coat of tinted primer blocks the old color and reduces the number of finish coats needed.

Stain-blocking primer goes on any areas where smoke damage, water stains, or other discoloration might bleed through. This is particularly important in older Bay Area homes where previous owners may have smoked or where small leaks left marks.

Types of Primers We Use

For standard walls and ceilings, we use high-quality acrylic drywall primers. These seal surfaces, promote adhesion, and dry quickly so projects stay on schedule.

For problem areas, we use specialty primers: stain-blocking primers for water marks and smoke damage, bonding primers for glossy surfaces that need extra adhesion, and mold-resistant primers for bathrooms and other moisture-prone areas.

The Bay Area's moderate climate means we don't often need extreme-weather primers, but we do select products that handle the moisture levels typical in local homes. Premium primers aren't much more expensive than bargain versions, and the performance difference is dramatic.

Step 5 - Applying Professional-Grade Paint

Paint application is where skill and experience show most clearly. We've developed techniques over thousands of rooms that create smooth, even finishes without the common flaws that plague amateur jobs.

Cutting In

We start by cutting in along ceilings, trim, and corners with a brush. This creates clean lines where rollers can't reach. Our painters have steady hands from years of practice, creating crisp edges without excessive taping.

Good cutting-in means you don't see brush marks in the final finish. We feather the edges and maintain a wet edge so the brushed areas blend seamlessly with rolled sections.

Rolling

Walls get rolled in a systematic pattern that maintains a wet edge and avoids lap marks. We work in sections, slightly overlapping each pass and keeping consistent pressure on the roller. The goal is uniform texture and color with no thin spots or heavy areas.

High-quality microfiber rollers create the smooth finish most Bay Area homeowners prefer. The roller nap matches the wall texture—shorter naps for smooth drywall, slightly longer for textured surfaces.

Drying and Recoating

Paint needs adequate drying time between coats. We follow manufacturer recommendations, adjusting for Bay Area humidity and temperature conditions. Rushing this step causes peeling, blistering, and poor adhesion.

Most interior painting projects need two coats for proper coverage and durability. Some situations—dramatic color changes, highly porous surfaces, or premium sheens—may need a third coat in spots. We'll discuss this during the estimate so there are no surprises.

Special Finishes

Trim, doors, and cabinets often get different products than walls. We use semi-gloss or satin enamels on trim for durability and easier cleaning. These products are more forgiving of small imperfections and stand up better to the bumps and scuffs that trim inevitably receives.

For smooth, factory-like finishes on trim and doors, we sometimes spray instead of brushing. This creates an ultra-smooth surface without brush marks, though it requires more extensive masking and protection.

Step 6 - Quality Control and Clean Up

The final phase of our process ensures everything meets our standards and leaves your home spotless.

Final Inspection

We inspect each room carefully in different lighting conditions. This catches any thin spots, missed areas, or small imperfections that need touch-up. We also check that all surfaces are smooth and that cut lines are crisp and clean.

Any issues get addressed immediately while we're still on site with all our equipment and materials.

Cleanup and Restoration

Once the paint is dry to the touch, we begin returning your home to normal. Furniture moves back to its original positions. We clean and rehang switch plates, outlet covers, and any fixtures we removed. Light fixtures, ceiling fans, and thermostats get cleaned of any dust or overspray.

Floors and carpets get thoroughly vacuumed and swept. We clean up all painting debris, drop cloths, tape, and empty paint cans. Nothing gets left behind except beautifully painted rooms.

Touch-Up Paint

We label and leave touch-up paint for each color we've used. This lets you address small scuffs and marks that inevitably happen during move-in or in the first few weeks of living with freshly painted walls. Having the exact color on hand means these touch-ups blend perfectly.

The final result is a home that looks and feels completely refreshed, with no evidence we were ever there except the beautiful new paint.

Common Interior Painting Mistakes (and How We Avoid Them)

We've seen countless DIY painting projects and can spot common mistakes immediately. Here's what goes wrong most often and how professional painters prevent these issues.

Mistake 1: Skipping Surface Preparation

The Problem

Painting over dirty walls, unfilled holes, or rough patches creates a finish that looks amateur from day one. Paint doesn't hide imperfections—it highlights them. Dust and grease prevent proper adhesion, causing paint to peel or flake months after application.

Why It Happens

Surface prep is tedious and time-consuming. It's tempting to skip ahead to the gratifying part where you see color going on walls. Unfortunately, shortcuts here guarantee disappointing results.

How We Prevent It

We build comprehensive prep time into every project timeline. Our crew knows that the prep work is what makes the painting look great, so we never rush this phase. We wash, fill, sand, caulk, and prime according to what each surface actually needs, not according to what's fastest.

Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Products

The Problem

Interior paint comes in dozens of varieties: different sheens, different formulations, products optimized for different surfaces. Using flat paint in a bathroom creates mold problems. Using exterior paint indoors causes off-gassing issues. Using wall paint on trim means it chips and scuffs easily.

Budget paints might save money initially, but they require more coats, don't clean well, and need repainting sooner. Over time, they cost more in labor and frustration.

Why It Happens

The paint aisle is overwhelming, and without experience, it's hard to know which products match which applications. Price becomes the deciding factor when it shouldn't be.

How We Prevent It

We've used virtually every paint product available and know which ones perform best in Bay Area homes. We select products based on the specific demands of each room: moisture-resistant paints for bathrooms, scrubbable finishes for kids' rooms, low-VOC options for bedrooms and nurseries.

We use premium-quality paints that cover better, last longer, and look better than budget alternatives. The cost difference is modest, but the performance difference is substantial.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Proper Ventilation and Drying Conditions

The Problem

Paint needs proper temperature, humidity, and air circulation to cure correctly. Painting when it's too cold causes slow drying and poor film formation. Too much humidity prevents proper evaporation. Inadequate ventilation traps fumes and extends drying times.

In Bay Area homes, this often shows up in bathrooms painted without running exhaust fans or in rooms with closed windows during humid weather.

Why It Happens

Product instructions mention ideal conditions, but many painters ignore these guidelines to stick to aggressive timelines. The paint looks dry on the surface, but underneath it hasn't cured properly.

How We Prevent It

We pay attention to manufacturer specifications for temperature and humidity ranges. If conditions aren't ideal, we adjust our approach: using faster-drying products, improving ventilation, or occasionally adjusting schedules slightly to work within optimal windows.

Our crews know the signs of improper drying—tacky surfaces that should be dry, paint that skins over but stays soft underneath, or strong fumes that should have dissipated. We address these issues immediately rather than painting over problems.

Paint Selection for Interior Spaces

Choosing the right paint involves more than picking colors. The sheen, quality level, and formulation all affect how your paint looks and performs.

Understanding Paint Finishes and Sheens

Paint sheen determines how much light the surface reflects, which affects both appearance and practicality.

Flat/Matte Finishes

Flat paint absorbs light rather than reflecting it, hiding minor imperfections in wall surfaces. This makes it popular for ceilings and for walls in adult bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms where traffic is moderate.

The downside is durability. Flat paint shows scuffs and can't be scrubbed aggressively without damaging the finish. In Bay Area homes, we typically reserve flat finishes for low-traffic spaces and ceilings.

Eggshell and Satin Finishes

These mid-range sheens have become the most popular choice for living spaces. They reflect slightly more light than flat paint, adding subtle warmth to rooms. They're more washable than flat but don't show imperfections as harshly as higher sheens.

We use eggshell and satin in living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and dining rooms throughout Lafayette and Lamorinda. They strike the right balance between appearance and durability for how most families live.

Semi-Gloss and Gloss Finishes

Higher-sheen paints are more durable and easier to clean, which makes them ideal for trim, doors, cabinets, and high-moisture areas. Semi-gloss handles the humidity in bathrooms and the grease in kitchens better than lower sheens.

The trade-off is that glossy finishes highlight every imperfection in the surface underneath. We only use these on well-prepared surfaces where smooth application and proper substrate prep ensure they look their best.

Paint Quality Differences

Not all paints are created equal, even within the same brand's product line.

Premium vs. Standard Paints

Premium paints contain more pigment and better-quality resins. This means better coverage (often needing fewer coats), richer color, better adhesion, and longer-lasting durability. They also tend to clean more easily and resist fading.

Standard-grade paints work for some applications, but they require more coats to achieve solid coverage and don't wear as well over time. In our experience, the modest price difference doesn't justify the performance gap.

VOC Levels and Indoor Air Quality

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate from paint as it dries. Traditional paints released significant VOCs, creating the "fresh paint smell" that could linger for days or weeks.

Modern low-VOC and zero-VOC paints have dramatically reduced these emissions. This matters particularly in bedrooms, nurseries, and homes where people have chemical sensitivities. Most premium paints now offer low-VOC formulations without sacrificing performance.

For Bay Area families concerned about indoor air quality, we typically recommend low-VOC or zero-VOC options. The paints we use meet or exceed California's strict air quality standards while delivering excellent coverage and durability.

Climate Considerations for Bay Area Homes

While the Bay Area enjoys moderate weather year-round, interior spaces still face moisture, temperature changes, and varying humidity levels.

Moisture-Prone Areas

Bathrooms and kitchens need paints formulated to resist moisture and prevent mold growth. We use bathroom-specific paints with mildew-resistant additives and higher sheens that don't absorb moisture.

In homes near the coast—Richmond, El Cerrito, Hercules—humidity levels run higher, and this moisture-resistance becomes even more important.

Temperature and Light

Rooms with large windows facing south or west get intense afternoon sun. Paint in these spaces needs UV-resistant properties to prevent fading. Premium paints generally handle this better than budget alternatives.

Rooms that stay naturally cooler, like north-facing bedrooms or spaces under covered porches, can handle virtually any interior paint without special considerations.

What Affects Interior Painting Pricing

Interior painting costs vary based on several factors. Understanding these helps you budget appropriately and make informed decisions.

Room Size and Ceiling Height

Larger rooms with more wall area require more time, materials, and labor. Standard eight-foot ceilings are straightforward, but vaulted ceilings, two-story spaces, and rooms with ten-foot or higher ceilings require scaffolding or extension equipment and take longer to complete safely.

Many Bay Area homes, especially in Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda, feature beautiful high ceilings and architectural details. These homes cost more to paint but also show off the finished work beautifully.

Surface Condition and Preparation Needs

Walls in good condition with minor wear need basic prep: cleaning, filling a few holes, light sanding. Walls with extensive damage, old wallpaper, heavy texture that needs smoothing, or previous poor-quality paint jobs require significantly more preparation time.

Water damage from leaks, smoke damage from fireplaces or previous occupants, or damaged drywall from removed fixtures all add to the scope. We assess these factors during the estimate and provide realistic pricing for the actual condition of your walls.

Number of Colors and Accent Walls

Each additional color adds complexity. Painting every room in an open-concept home a different color requires more careful cutting, more masking, and more equipment organization than painting everything the same color.

Accent walls, two-tone designs, and decorative finishes all require additional time and skill, which affects pricing.

Trim, Doors, and Cabinet Painting

Painting trim, doors, and built-in cabinetry takes more time than wall painting. These surfaces require careful prep, specialized products, and meticulous brushwork or spraying for smooth finishes.

If your project includes refreshing all the trim and doors in addition to walls and ceilings, this will be reflected in the estimate.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

The best way to understand what your interior painting project will cost is to schedule a free estimate. We'll visit your home, assess the actual scope of work, discuss your goals and color preferences, and provide a detailed written quote.

This estimate will break down the work room by room, so you understand exactly what you're getting. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges—what we quote is what you'll pay.

Contact us today to schedule your free interior painting estimate.

Cities We Serve for Interior Painting

We're based in Lafayette and proudly serve homeowners throughout the greater Bay Area. Our interior painting services are available in:

Central Lamorinda:

East Bay Communities:

Greater Contra Costa County:

Coastal Communities:

No matter where you're located in the greater Bay Area, our team brings the same high-quality interior painting services, attention to detail, and spotless cleanup that have made us a trusted name since 2003.

Why Choose Lamorinda Painting for Interior Painting

Local Expertise with Bay Area Homes

We've been painting Bay Area interiors since 2003. Over twenty years, we've worked in hundreds of homes across Lafayette, Lamorinda, and the East Bay. We understand the common home styles, typical construction methods, and specific challenges that come with local properties.

Older homes in Lafayette and Orinda often have plaster walls, beautiful molding, and architectural details that require special care. Newer homes in San Ramon and Danville feature smooth drywall, open floor plans, and contemporary finishes. Mid-century properties throughout the area have their own quirks and opportunities.

This experience means we rarely encounter surprises. We know what to expect in Bay Area homes and how to deliver excellent results regardless of age, style, or condition.

Licensed, Insured, and Warranty-Backed

We're fully licensed and insured, providing peace of mind that your home and property are protected throughout the project. Our licensing demonstrates our commitment to professional standards and regulatory compliance.

We stand behind our work with a full six-year warranty. This isn't a short-term promise—it's a genuine commitment that reflects our confidence in the quality of our materials and craftsmanship. If something goes wrong with our work during the warranty period, we'll make it right.

Attention to Detail: Setup, Preparation, Cleanup

Our three-phase process—Setup, Preparation, Clean Up—ensures your home stays protected and looks perfect when we're finished.

During Setup, we move furniture carefully, wrap it with new plastic, protect your floors with commercial-grade drop cloths, and mask off everything that shouldn't get paint on it. We treat your home with the same care we'd give our own.

Preparation is where quality painting separates from quick painting. We wash walls, fill every hole and crack, sand everything smooth, caulk all the gaps, and prime where needed. This meticulous prep work is what makes the final finish look factory-smooth and last for years.

Clean Up means we leave your home spotless. Furniture returns to its original position, floors get vacuumed, fixtures get cleaned, all trash gets removed, and you receive labeled touch-up paint for future needs. When we're done, there's no evidence we were there except the beautiful paint.

This attention to detail sets us apart and keeps clients calling us back for their next project.

Ready to transform your interior spaces?

We're Lamorinda Painting, and we've been providing high-quality interior painting services to Bay Area homeowners since 2003. We're fully licensed and insured, and we approach every project with the same attention to detail and commitment to spotless results.

Contact us today for a free estimate. Your satisfaction is our top priority.

Get Your Free Interior Painting Estimate →

Frequently Asked Questions About Interior Painting

How long does an interior painting project take?

Most single-room projects take one to two days from start to finish, including prep, painting, and cleanup. Whole-house interior painting typically takes three to seven days depending on the home's size, the number of colors, and whether we're painting trim and doors in addition to walls and ceilings. We'll provide a specific timeline during your free estimate based on your actual project scope.

Do I need to move furniture before you arrive?

No. We handle all furniture moving as part of our setup process. We'll move furniture to the center of the room and wrap it with new plastic sheeting to keep everything protected. When we're finished, we'll move everything back to its original position. All you need to do is remove small decorative items, wall hangings, and personal valuables from the rooms we're painting.

How soon can I move furniture back against freshly painted walls?

Paint is dry to the touch within a few hours, but it takes longer to fully cure. We move your furniture back before we leave, but we recommend waiting 24 to 48 hours before pushing heavy furniture tight against walls or hanging pictures. This gives the paint time to harden fully and prevents marking or damage. We'll give you specific guidance based on the products we've used.

What's the difference between different paint finishes?

Paint finishes range from flat (no sheen) to high-gloss (very shiny). Flat paint hides imperfections well but isn't very washable—it's best for ceilings and low-traffic areas. Eggshell and satin have a subtle sheen and are more durable, making them ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Semi-gloss and gloss are the most durable and washable, which is why we use them on trim, doors, and in bathrooms and kitchens. We'll recommend the right finishes for each space in your home.

Can you paint kitchen cabinets as part of an interior painting project?

Yes, we offer cabinet painting services in addition to wall and ceiling painting. Cabinet painting is more specialized than wall painting and requires different products and techniques, so we typically price it separately. Many clients combine interior wall painting with cabinet updates to give their kitchen a complete refresh. We'd be happy to include cabinet painting in your estimate.

What about textured ceilings or walls?

We can paint over most textures without issue. Smooth drywall, knockdown texture, orange peel texture, and similar finishes all take paint well. If you have popcorn ceiling texture that you'd like removed, that's a separate process we can handle before painting. We'll discuss your options during the estimate.

How do you handle color selection?

We're happy to help with color selection as much or as little as you'd like. If you've already chosen your colors, we'll work with what you've selected. If you'd like guidance, we can suggest colors based on our experience with similar Bay Area homes, your lighting conditions, and your existing finishes. We can also coordinate with paint store color consultants if you want professional color expertise.

Will painting create strong fumes in my home?

Modern low-VOC and zero-VOC paints have dramatically reduced the fumes associated with painting. You'll notice a mild paint smell during application and for a few hours afterward, but it's nothing like the strong solvent smell of old-style paints. We also ensure proper ventilation during painting. Most clients are comfortable staying in their homes during interior painting projects, though we recommend keeping pets and young children out of active work areas until painting is complete.

Do you repair damaged drywall before painting?

Yes. Minor repairs like filling nail holes, patching small cracks, and fixing dings are included in our standard prep process. More extensive repairs—large holes, water damage, major cracks, or damaged corners—are priced separately based on the scope. We'll identify any significant repairs during the estimate so you know exactly what's included.

What if I'm not happy with the color once it's on the walls?

We always recommend testing colors with samples before committing to a full room. Paint looks different on walls than on small chips, and lighting conditions throughout the day affect how colors appear. That said, if you're genuinely unhappy with a color choice, we can discuss options. We want you to love the results, and we'll work with you to find a solution that leaves you satisfied.

Conclusion

Interior painting transforms how your home looks and feels. Fresh paint brightens rooms, updates outdated color schemes, and creates the perfect backdrop for your life in the Bay Area.

Professional interior painting isn't just about applying color to walls. It's about meticulous surface preparation, proper product selection, skilled application, and thorough cleanup. When done right, interior paint lasts for years, looks beautiful from day one, and makes your home a more pleasant place to live.

At Lamorinda Painting, we've been providing high-quality interior painting services to Bay Area homeowners since 2003. We're based in Lafayette and serve Lamorinda, the East Bay, and the greater Bay Area with the same attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction that built our reputation.

We're fully licensed and insured. We protect your home during setup, prepare surfaces thoroughly, use premium products, and leave everything spotless when we're finished. Every project comes with a six-year warranty because we stand behind our work.

Whether you're refreshing a single room, repainting your entire home, or preparing to sell, we'd be honored to help. Contact us today for a free estimate on your interior painting project.

Schedule Your Free Interior Painting Consultation →

Lamorinda Painting 3559 Mt. Diablo Blvd. #34 Lafayette, CA 94549 Phone: (925) 890-0361 Email: lamorindapainting@gmail.com

Proudly serving Lafayette, Lamorinda, and the greater Bay Area since 2003.

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