A gallon of paint will typically give you 350 square feet of coverage, but why leave it to chance? By using this handy worksheet and The Home Depot Paint Calculator, you’ll know exactly how many gallons you need to get started in your new home.

• Getting started

  Recording your measurements now will ensure you know exactly how much paint to come home with. This will make the project more efficient since you’ll be able to complete the project in just 1 trip.

• Room dimensions

  • Room Length:ft.in.
  • Room Height:ft.in.
  • Room Width:ft.in.
  • Baseboard Height:ft.in.

  If your room has more than 4 walls, be sure to record the additional measurements.

• Windows

  • Number of windows:
  • Window Height:ft.in.
  • Window Width:ft.in.
  • Molding/Trim Size:ft.in.

  If you have windows with different heights and widths, average their dimensions. For example, one 1 x 1 window and one 2 x 1 window would be approximately two 1.5 x 1 windows.

• Doors

  • Number of doors:
  • Door Height:ft.in.
  • Door Width:ft.in.
  • Molding/Trim Size:ft.in.

  If you have doors with different heights and widths, average their dimensions.

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  Now that you have all the measurements you need, go to The Home Depot Paint Calculator to figure out how many gallons of paint you need. Then head to your local The Home Depot to find a wide selection of paint from brands such as Behr, Glidden, Ralph Lauren and Freshaire Choice.

• Common painting mistakes to avoid

  • Not having the proper tools can add time to the project and affect quality

  • Not conducting a patch test can result in painting half a room before you decide you don’t like the color

  • If paint is not mixed properly, or you combine multiple brands of paint, it can have a streaky effect

  • Ensure surfaces are prepped properly, including sanding, patching, repairing wall surfaces and priming

  • Applying too much paint on a brush or roller can cause drips and streaks