How much paint do I need?

Plan your painting project with ease and set aside the right amount of paint before you get started.

You’ve chosen a color and made your plan, and you’re eager to pick up a brush. But then comes the practical question: how much paint do I need?

Running short of paint can bring a project to a halt just when you’re getting into the swing of things. On the other hand, there’s no need to buy more paint than you need. The advantage of hybrid paints like Frenchic is that you can use the same paint on different surfaces, reducing waste. 

We’ve put together a simple guide to help you estimate how much Frenchic paint you’ll need for different projects.

Quick guide to estimating how much paint you need

Small project: 250 ml

One small tin can go surprisingly far. 250 ml is a great choice for small pieces of furniture, details, art projects, and small home decor projects.

For example:

• flower pots
• a small side table
• 2 x bedside tables
• stools
• a small shelf
• a small chest of drawers
• a couple of kitchen spindle-back chairs

A small project is also a great way to try a bolder color. If a strong color feels like too big a step for a large surface, start with a stool, side table, small cabinet, or the inside of a cabinet.

For example, flower pots get a whole new look with the fresh blue shade Ol' Blue Eyes, while classic black Blackjack instantly gives a small piece of furniture a smart, modern look.

A calming green in the bedroom, Green With Envy, looks beautiful on a bedside table, while the deep blue Hornblower turns an ordinary stool into a little eye-catcher.

And why should everything always be neutral? Small projects are a great opportunity to play with color.

Medium-sized project: 750 ml

When your project grows, one larger 750 ml tin is a trusted size for many home painting projects.

Depending on the project, one 750 ml tin may be enough for, for example:

• a front door
• a chest of drawers and a bookcase
• a larger side table or sideboard
• four kitchen chairs
• a children's bed
• a garden table and a couple of chairs

Front door

A beautifully painted front door can transform the look of your entire home. The color can blend in with the house’s color scheme or deliberately stand out as a cheerful focal point. Factor in whether the frames need painting when estimating how much paint you’ll need. 

Soft, powdery pink Dusky Blush adds a personal touch of warmth to a door, while muted sage green Wise Old Sage pairs beautifully with classic, nature-inspired surroundings.

Dresser

An old pine dresser or traditional wooden cabinet doesn't necessarily need replacing. Paint can completely transform a piece of furniture while giving a perfectly usable item another few years of life.

Sunny yellow Hot As Mustard turns an ordinary dresser into a cheerful eye-catcher.

Coffee table

A coffee table takes a beating in everyday life. Coffee cups, books, remote controls, and sometimes even feet end up on it. A fresh coat of paint can turn a worn table into a beautiful centerpiece in the living room once again.

Calm beige Cool Beans or Fennec is a great choice when you're looking for a modern yet easy-to-coordinate shade.

Garden bench and planter boxes

Outdoors, color can make a statement. Turquoise Anguilla, Hot As Mustard, and other brighter Frenchic shades bring energy to the garden before the first flower even blooms.

Large project: approx. 2 × 750 ml

When there's more surface area to paint or the project includes several pieces of furniture, it's worth setting aside two 750 ml tins.

Projects like these might include:

• dining table and six chairs
• large wardrobe
• garden furniture set and lounge chairs
• larger outdoor storage unit
• small studio apartment kitchen or cottage kitchen

Dining table and chairs

The dining table is a true workhorse in the home. It's where we eat, celebrate, work, and go about everyday life.

Classic matte black Blackjack gives an old dining set a modern, timeless look. For a large project, it's worth paying particular attention to the structure of the chairs: surfaces, legs, stretchers, and details can add a surprisingly large amount of paintable surface area.

Large wardrobe

A storage unit doesn't have to disappear into the wall. A large wardrobe can also be part of the room's color scheme.

For example, soft green Steaming Green adds color to a large piece of furniture without making the overall look feel heavy.

Garden furniture

A garden table and chairs are part of summer morning coffees, dinners, and long evenings. A worn furniture set can look wonderful again with a fresh coat of paint.

Deep petrol blue Steel Teal is a striking choice for outdoor furniture and looks beautiful among green foliage.

XL project: about 3 × 750 ml

Three large tins will get you well underway.

This size project could include, for example:

• kitchen cabinets
• room wall paneling and ceiling
• large built-in storage units
• media walls and floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinets
• interior doors and trim

Kitchen

Painting kitchen cabinets can transform the look of the entire space without having to buy a new kitchen.

Warm, natural moss green  Constance Moss works beautifully in a kitchen and pairs well with wood, metals, and light-colored countertops.

In kitchens, however, paint coverage varies considerably depending on the size of the cabinets, the number of doors, and their design. Three tins may not be enough for a large kitchen, so it’s worth estimating the surface area before ordering.

Garden shed or playhouse

Even a garden shed can go from a supporting role to the garden’s focal point. Soft sage green  Wise Old Sage blends beautifully with lush surroundings and makes the building a natural part of the garden.

Paneling and built-in furniture

Wall paneling, media walls, and built-in storage are a great way to use color as part of the overall room design.

A calm, pastel water shade:  Breezing brings softness to paneling, while dark gray  Smudge is a great fit for a cozy, slightly more dramatic look.

How far does 750 ml of Frenchic paint go?

750 ml of Al Fresco paint can cover up to about 13 m² with one coat.

In practice, coverage varies from project to project. Factors that affect it include:

• the material and porosity of the surface to be painted
• the condition of the surface
• the original color and new shade
• the paint range used
• brush or roller and painting technique
• the thickness of the paint coats
• the furniture’s shapes, edges, and details

For example, a smooth, previously painted surface may use considerably less paint than porous, untreated wood.

A major color change also has an impact. When switching from dark to very light or from light to very dark, you may use more paint than if you stay close to the original color.

Remember: at least two coats of paint

To achieve the best, smooth, and durable finish, we generally recommend  at least two coats of paint.

So when estimating how much paint you’ll need, don’t calculate the surface area based on just one coat.

For example, if the surface to be painted is 10 m² and you paint it twice, the actual total surface area to be painted is about  20 m².

Is it worth buying a little extra paint?

Often, yes, especially for a large project.

A small spare tin or leftover paint from a project may later prove invaluable if the surface gets dented or scratched and you want to do a small touch-up.

At the same time, it’s worth avoiding unnecessary over-planning. Estimating the amount of paint correctly saves money, reduces waste, and makes the project more responsible.

Painting an old piece of furniture, a kitchen, or garden furniture instead of buying new is already a great way to extend the life of the things you own. When you also estimate the amount of paint sensibly, the project is better for both your wallet and the environment.

A quick guide before ordering paint

250 ml: small pieces of furniture and details, a couple of chairs
750 ml: doors, chests of drawers, tables, and medium-sized pieces of furniture
2 × 750 ml: cabinets for a small kitchen, large pieces of furniture and shelving units, interior doors and trim, and furniture sets
3 × 750 ml or more: kitchens, ceilings, built-in storage furniture, and large projects

Remember that these amounts are   estimates. Two pieces of furniture of the same size can use very different amounts of paint depending on the material, construction, starting color, and desired finish.

Frenchic paint goes a long way and often comes as a surprise: Visit our FB group to see what others have painted and how much paint they used for a kitchen, a child’s bed, or a chest of drawers.

In the group, you’ll find videos, photo series, and interesting “before and after” photos of our customers’ renovation projects and painting projects. 

If you’re unsure, measure the surface to be painted and allow for at least two coats. That way, your brush won’t have to take an unexpected break just as your project starts looking its best.

No mass production. Nothing like everyone else’s. Just your ideas and a little creative courage with color.