Painting hacks to save you 40% or more on Sherwin Williams
I’m big fan of Sherwin Williams paint. While their paint costs a bit more than what you find in the Big Box stores, it’s worth it as you get higher coverage, use less paint, and it lasts longer. I also love their color selection and how easy it is to find coordinating shades for accent walls.
Sherwin Williams has a wide selection of paint shades and great customer service. They can provide advice on which paint is best, which paints to use on different surfaces (e.g. ceilings, trim, walls, cabinets), sometimes assist with color and finish selection and advise you on the best painting tools to use.
Another big benefit that Sherwin Williams provides is that they store all the paint colors and finishes you bought, so even if you forget, they’ve got you covered.
Since I’ve been in the painting business for many years, I wanted to provide some insider tips on how you can save some money with Sherwin Williams, so you get the best of both worlds – great paint and a great price.
You may find these painting articles helpful when it comes to choosing a color:
- 9 Amazing warm grays and greiges
- 11 Awesome cool grays
- My favorite blue gray paint shades
- Best paint colors for selling your home
- Best shades of paint for dark hardwood floors
Please note that this article contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
9 Clever ways to save money on Sherwin Williams paint
1. Buy Sherwin Williams paint when it’s on sale
Yes, Sherwin Williams paint goes on sale…and fairly often, too. Usually when it goes on sale, it’s 30-40% off, and that’s a nice chunk of change. So buy your paint when it’s on sale, and paint later when you’re ready. (Read on to find out the best way to store your paints).
The best way to find out about these sales is to join their email list.
Oh and if you’re not sure about the colors you want, you can still purchase the paint while on sale and pick up the colors later.
2. Join their loyalty program
Their loyalty program is called Paint Perks. When you sign up you’ll receive a coupon for $10 any purchase that’s $50 or higher. You’ll also get lower pricing and be notified of their big sales. Sign up their site..
3. Use an online paint calculator
Many people have no clue on how much paint they need. There is no sense in over estimating as you’ll spend extra; and it’s even worse if you under estimate and need to return to the store to get more.
Using an online calculator will help your accuracy (and piece of mind). You can find an inexpensive laser measure here, by the way.
Be sure to check the calculators to determine if it’s set up for 1 coat or 2. Hint: If you’re changing colors, you NEED 2 coats of paint.
Also, if you use the same color in multiple rooms, it will save you money, so you won’t need to spend as much on paint.
Paint Samples
Now, let’s talk about samples…
It’s always best to test the paint colors in you own home and own lighting. The colors do look different pending your lighting and can even look different room to room.
You can definitely go to your local painting store to buy some samples (and a brush…be sure to paint with 2 coats), but I have a MUCH EASIER way for you. Check out SAMPLIZE.
Samplize offers 12” x 12” peel and stick paint samples that are EASIER, AFFORDABLE and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.
Here are a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients:
- Samples come right to YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, pending on location
- At $5.95, they’re more affordable than the samples/brushes/foam boards than traditional samples…and of course easier and way less messy
- If you keep the samples on the white paper, you can move them from wall to wall and room to room
They are amazingly accurate as they are made with 2 coats of real paint, so they are color correct.
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE.
Do you need any paint shade fan decks?
Amazon can help with that. It’s so much easier when you have the full color wheels and can see all of these in your own home (vs. going back and forth to the store MULTIPLE times).
Sherwin Williams Benjamin Moore
4. Use a tinted primer
If you have a dark paint color or bright paint colors on the wall (or ceiling or trim), you’ll need to use a primer first. This basically blocks out the color behind it so you start with a fresh palette. Then you would do 2 coats of paint on top, for a total of 3 coats.
This of course takes longer and costs more.
If you want to save some money on the paint and labor, you can make the first coat a tinted primer. That is, the primer would be tinted the same color as the paint shade you intend to use. Then, your first coat is the tinted primer and your top coat is just the regular paint.
5. Leverage their Military discount
If you or your spouse has served in the Military, you can get 15% military discount. Find out more bonus discount here. (and yes, proof is needed). Unfortunately you can’t combine this discount with their other sales promotions.
6. Use Promar 200 line (for contractors)
This is one of the best kept secrets in the industry. This is good quality Sherwin Williams line (only found in their stores) that is specifically made for painters. Why? They price it lower for contractors so that they have a product they can mark up in price so they can make a profit on it…even if the customer wants to try to save money by going to the store and buying the paint themselves.
It’s a high quality paint at a lower price so they can cater to their heavy users. And, most homeowners have no idea that it exists or what it is.
While it’s not a high quality as Duration, it’s pretty close. And, it’s a higher quality paint vs what you’d find in Big Box stores.
7. Use 5 gallon buckets when possible
Take advantage of the quantity discount. We usually use this for the ceilings (as all the ceilings are usually white). And, if you are using the same color in multiple rooms, not only will you save money from this, but it will make your space look larger and more cohesive.
8. Get Sherwin Williams at Lowe’s
So let me caveat this by saying, I’m not the hugest fan of Big Box stores for home decor items as their products tend to be lower quality vs what you find in other retailers. However, Sherwin Williams Ovation line (found only at Lowe’s) a good quality paint. It’s not as a high quality as what you’ll find at a Sherwin’s William store, but it is good and a good value.
If you have a Lowe’s near you, check it out. But, note that they don’t have as large of a selection of paint shades there.
9. Ask about “Oops” paint
“Oops” paint isn’t a brand or color, but rather returned paint that wasn’t used. This is sometimes because a customer changed their mind on color, and other times it’s just leftover paint as they over ordered. If your store has some “Oops” paint, you can usually buy it at a discount (perhaps around $10 off per gallon.
Of course you’ll be limited to the colors and quantities they have on hand, but if you’re not fussy about the paint color or it happens to be one of shades you were considering, go for it.
Paint and decorating inspiration from Sherwin Williams
Here are some room scenes from Sherwin Williams.
Sherwin Williams Majestic Purple
Charcoal Blue
Cavern Clay
Misty
Final thoughts on saving money with Sherwin Williams paints
Hopefully, one or more of these tips will help you save money on your next purchase of Sherwin Williams paint purchase. These hacks can help you save money on your painting job. You should also know that Sherwin Williams can make the paint colors from Benjamin Moore and Behr, too, so if you see a shade you love from another brand, they can usually make it.
Helpful tools if you are going to paint yourself
Here are some painting tools that may come in handy if you’re going to do the painting yourself. Also, be sure to check out my article on the Top 10 DIY Painting mistakes and how to avoid them. The products below can be found on Amazon and delivered straight to your door.
- Painting brush – this one costs a bit more, but it’s totally worth it. It will help you paint faster and more accurately. If you’re going to paint yourself, don’t skimp here. Incidentally, this is Amazon’s Choice as well.
- Painter’s tape – a must have. Use for all the trim as well as ceiling area
- Paint roller kit – this includes a tray. Use the brush for the edges and the roller for main areas of the wall (and ceiling).
- Drop cloths – Yes, you’ll need them for sure. Some people have some on hand, but often not enough if you are doing many rooms.
Related painting and paint color articles:
Related painting and paint color articles:- 9 Amazing warm grays and greiges
- 11 Awesome cool grays
- My favorite blue gray paint shades
- Best paint colors for selling your home
- Best shades of paint for dark hardwood floors
- How to store your paints.
9 Ways to Save Money on Sherwin Williams Paint
