Quarterly DIY Pulse Survey Looks at Key Painting Activities

Sherwin-Williams new DIY Pulse, a quarterly perspective with the latest insights about painting, design and home improvement projects, reveals that the kitchen and the bathroom are top priority when it comes to painting.

Within the next six months, more than half of consumers (52 percent) say they plan to freshen up their kitchen and/or a bathroom with a coat of paint. For these projects, homeowners are looking to paint to deliver a range of benefits, seeking coatings that:

• Can be cleaned frequently and still maintain a fresh look (44 percent)

• Block new stains from forming, keeping walls cleaner (19 percent)

• Resist the development of mold and mildew (15 percent)

Keeping it Traditional in the Bathroom

Freshening up the bathroom is at the top of the to-do list for 58 percent of consumers.

Four out of 10 people (42 percent) prefer a traditional aesthetic in their bathroom, which is characterized by warmer wood tones, oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and stone or tile floors. "Traditional styles have evolved during the past decade, becoming more relaxed and subtle with clean lines," said Jackie Jordan, former director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. "Soft neutrals, such as Accessible Beige (SW 7036) and cool, less-saturated gray tones such as Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) offer a classic complement to a traditional bathroom design."

Whether in a powder room or master bath, other favorite design styles for the bathroom include luxurious (19 percent) and spa-like (17 percent).

Updating the Kitchen

The DIY Pulse survey shows that 32 percent of people will paint their kitchen this year.

While granite countertops and mid-toned woods for a traditional look (35 percent) are the most desired in the kitchen, country (16 percent), rustic (15 percent) and contemporary (15 percent) styles are also popular.

"No matter what look a homeowner is trying to achieve, warmer colors tend to work best in the kitchen, as they can create a more energetic space for entertaining," said Jordan. "A traditional aesthetic can include warm neutrals, such as Latte (SW 6198) or Blonde (SW 6128) for walls. A great way to incorporate more saturated or trending colors is through fun accessories that can be swapped out as new color trends emerge."

The DIY Pulse survey was completed online by 1,066 members of Sherwin-Williams Consumer Insights Panel in December 2013.

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