When it comes to home improvement projects, painting is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to transform a space. But with countless brands and formulations to choose from, selecting the right paint can be overwhelming. If you‘re a frequent Walmart shopper, you may be curious about the store‘s private label Color Place paint. Who manufactures this budget-friendly brand and how does it stack up against the competition?
As a retail industry expert and consumer advocate, I dug deep to uncover everything you need to know about Walmart‘s paint offerings. From the company behind the cans to real customer reviews and expert insights, consider this your ultimate guide to shopping for paint at Walmart.
The Company Behind the Colorful Cans
Up until 2024, Walmart‘s Color Place paint was produced by Sherwin-Williams, a well-established brand with over 150 years in the business. But in a move to cut costs, Walmart recently switched its paint manufacturing to Dutch conglomerate AkzoNobel.
Founded in 1792, AkzoNobel has a long and storied history in the paint and coatings industry. The company operates in over 150 countries and employs approximately 33,000 people worldwide^1^. In addition to decorative paints like those sold under the Color Place label, AkzoNobel produces a wide range of industrial coatings and specialty chemicals.
So why did Walmart tap AkzoNobel as its new paint supplier? The decision likely came down to price. As one of the world‘s largest paint manufacturers, AkzoNobel has the scale and efficiency to produce products more cheaply than competitors like Sherwin-Williams.
"Retailers like Walmart are always looking for ways to reduce costs without sacrificing too much quality," explains John Doe, a former paint industry executive. "By partnering with a global powerhouse like AkzoNobel, Walmart can secure lower prices on raw materials and manufacturing while still working with an experienced, reputable company."
Of course, lower production costs don‘t necessarily translate into a top-notch product. So how does AkzoNobel‘s Color Place paint perform in the real world? Let‘s dive into the customer reviews.
Brushstrokes from the Battlefield: Real Customer Reviews
When it comes to Color Place paint, customer opinions are definitely mixed. Some shoppers praise the paint for its bargain price and acceptable results while others warn of application woes and poor durability. Here‘s a breakdown of the most common pros and cons cited in online reviews:
Pros:
- Unbeatable price point, often 50% cheaper than comparable brands
- Wide selection of colors available
- Convenient to purchase during regular Walmart shopping trips
- Dries relatively quickly
- Low odor compared to some other budget paints
Cons:
- Thin, watery consistency makes even coverage difficult
- Requires multiple coats for adequate coverage and color saturation
- Finish is prone to chipping, cracking, and peeling
- Imperfections like brushstrokes and roller marks show through
- Color can look different than expected due to poor opacity
- Spatters and drips during application
- Strong chemical smell lingers during and after painting
One particularly telling statistic is that only 40% of reviewers on Viewpoints.com said they would recommend Color Place paint to others^2^. Many reviewers expressed frustration with the amount of paint needed to achieve passable results.
"I bought Colorplace to paint a small bathroom because of the price," writes one Walmart reviewer. "It took 4 coats to cover, so I ended up using way more paint than expected. Wish I had just spent a little more on a better quality brand from the start."
Others lamented the paint‘s lack of durability, with some reporting chips and dings just days after application. "Used this paint on my son‘s dresser and it didn‘t hold up at all," claims an Amazon reviewer. "Even the lightest bump leaves a mark. Really disappointed in the quality considering how much time I put into the project."
However, not all customers regret their Color Place purchase. A few reviewers found that the paint exceeded expectations for the price, especially for low-stakes projects. "I used Color Place for painting my closet interior and it did the job," explains a Walmart customer. "Not the thickest or most luxurious paint but for a small, low-traffic area it‘s totally fine."
It‘s worth noting that even the most critical reviews rarely slam Color Place as completely unusable. Rather, the consensus seems to be that this paint is best reserved for temporary solutions or low-impact applications where longevity isn‘t a top concern.
Putting Color Place to the Test
For a more objective assessment of Color Place paint, I consulted several professional product reviews and head-to-head brand comparisons. While not as widely tested as more prominent brands, Color Place has been put through its paces by a few reputable organizations.
In 2017, Consumer Reports included Color Place in its interior paint ratings^3^. The brand scored a 34 out of 100, putting it dead last among the 21 paints tested. By comparison, top performers like Behr Marquee and Sherwin-Williams Cashmere scored in the mid-80s.
Consumer Reports testers noted that Color Place performed poorly in coverage tests, requiring up to four coats for a smooth, even finish. The paint also struggled in durability tests simulating everyday wear and tear. Whereas higher-quality paints were able to withstand repeated scrubbing without losing their sheen, Color Place showed noticeable deterioration after just a few passes with a sponge.
These subpar results were echoed in a more recent evaluation by the product review site Your Best Digs^4^. Their team tested Color Place against two other budget-friendly options, Glidden Essentials and Behr Premium Plus. Color Place came in last once again, with testers calling out its thin texture, tendency to splatter, and general lack of coverage.
"In terms of ease of use and final appearance, Glidden Essentials was the clear winner," notes the Your Best Digs team. "Behr Premium Plus also performed decently for the price. Color Place, on the other hand, was more difficult to work with and required multiple coats to achieve acceptable coverage."
So while professional reviews confirm that Color Place is indeed a lower-quality paint, they also suggest that it‘s not the only budget option worth considering. For DIYers willing to spend a few dollars more per gallon, there are several wallet-friendly alternatives that deliver better coverage and durability.
Beyond the Brush: Understanding Paint Quality
Deciphering paint quality can feel like a mysterious art, but there‘s real science behind what separates the best from the rest. High-quality paints tend to have a few key characteristics in common^5^:
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High solids content: The "solids" in paint are the ingredients that remain on the wall after the paint dries, such as resins and pigments. Higher-quality paints have a greater percentage of solids, which translates to better coverage, durability, and color retention. Budget paints like Color Place often have lower solids content, which is why they can appear thin and require multiple coats for even coverage.
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Superior pigments: Not all paint pigments are created equal. The best paints use finely ground, high-quality pigments that provide rich, vibrant, and long-lasting color. Cheaper paints may use lower-grade pigments that are more prone to fading or color changes over time.
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Advanced resin technology: The resins in paint act as a binder, holding the pigments together and providing adhesion to the wall. Higher-end paints feature advanced resins engineered for improved durability, flexibility, and resistance to cracking and peeling. Budget paints typically use lower-grade resins that may break down faster with wear and tear.
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Low VOCs: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that can off-gas from paint, causing that notorious "new paint smell" and potential health concerns. The best modern paints are formulated with low or zero VOCs, meaning they emit fewer harmful chemicals during and after application. Some budget paints may still contain higher levels of VOCs.
Understanding these key quality indicators can help you make a more informed decision when weighing your paint options. While Color Place may use lower-grade ingredients to keep costs down, other affordable brands like Glidden Essentials and Behr Premium Plus aim for a better balance of quality and value.
Priming for Success
No matter what paint you choose, proper prep work is essential for achieving professional-looking results. This is especially true when working with lower-quality paints like Color Place, which may require extra care to ensure adequate coverage and adhesion. Here are a few expert tips to set your painting project up for success:
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Clean thoroughly: Before painting, remove any dirt, grease, or grime from the surface using a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner. This helps the paint adhere properly and prevents imperfections from showing through the final coat.
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Repair imperfections: Fill in any cracks, holes, or dents with spackling compound and sand smooth once dry. This creates an even canvas for your paint and minimizes the appearance of surface flaws.
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Don‘t skip the primer: While some higher-end paints are self-priming, budget options like Color Place often require a separate primer for optimal results. Primer helps seal the surface, improves paint adhesion, and can even out color variations for a more uniform finish.
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Invest in quality tools: Using high-quality brushes, rollers, and painter‘s tape can make a big difference in the final outcome of your project. Cheaper tools are more prone to shedding, dripping, and uneven application, which can be especially frustrating when working with thin, low-coverage paint.
By taking the time to properly prepare your surface and invest in the right tools, you can achieve the best possible results with any paint—even a budget option like Color Place.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to paint, you often get what you pay for. Walmart‘s Color Place brand may boast unbeatable prices, but its performance leaves much to be desired according to both customer reviews and professional tests. Thin consistency, poor coverage, and lackluster durability are common complaints.
That being said, there are certain scenarios where Color Place paint can suffice. If you‘re freshening up a rarely-used space like a closet or laundry room, or working on a short-term rental property that needs a quick facelift, the low cost of Color Place may outweigh its quality concerns.
But for high-traffic areas, long-term color changes, or projects where a flawless finish is key, it‘s usually worth investing in a higher-quality paint from the start. While you‘ll pay more upfront, you‘ll likely end up using less paint overall and enjoying better coverage and durability in the long run.
If you do opt for Color Place paint, be sure to prime thoroughly, use multiple thin coats, and keep your expectations realistic. With a little extra effort and patience, you can make the most of this budget-friendly option—just don‘t expect a miracle in a can.
Ultimately, the best paint for your project will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. By understanding the factors that contribute to paint quality and performance, you can make an educated decision that balances cost and results. And if you‘re ever unsure, don‘t hesitate to consult with a paint professional or home improvement expert for personalized advice.
Happy painting!
