Does Home Depot Mix Paint in 2022? My Complete Guide for the DIY Painter

As a home improvement retailer, Home Depot offers everything the casual and professional painter needs to take on small or large painting projects. But one question I often get from readers is: does Home Depot provide paint mixing services?

The short answer is yes! As an avid DIY painter myself, I’ve used Home Depot’s paint counters many times over the years. So I wanted to share everything you need to know about getting custom paint colors mixed at Home Depot.

An Overview of Home Depot‘s Paint Mixing Services

All Home Depot locations offer free in-store paint mixing, matching any color sample you provide. With access to over 100,000 paint formulas, their staff can match virtually any hue imaginable.

Home Depot does not provide paint mixing for online orders, so you’ll need to visit the store. But the benefit is walking out with your custom color the same day.

While specialty paint stores like Sherwin Williams have great options too, Home Depot’s convenience and selection make it my go-to for paint. Their knowledgeable staff is extremely helpful for both novice and expert painters.

Now let’s get into the details on how paint mixing works at Home Depot so you can get the perfect custom color for your next project!

Does It Cost Anything to Mix Paint at Home Depot?

The standard paint mixing service is free when you purchase paint at Home Depot. If you bring in paint purchased elsewhere, some locations may charge a small fee to mix it.

I highly recommend buying your base paint at Home Depot to avoid any mixing fees. Often, it‘s cheaper than paint from specialty stores anyway.

As a benchmark, a gallon of Behr Premium Plus Interior Paint costs around $25-45 depending on the finish.

What Types of Paint Can Be Mixed?

The paint counters at Home Depot can mix all of their interior and exterior paint finishes. This includes:

• Flat/Matte – Provides a non-reflective, matte finish popular for walls and ceilings
• Eggshell – Has a soft, velvety appearance and is ideal for living rooms and bedrooms
• Satin – A smooth finish with a subtle sheen, commonly used for trim and doors
• Semi-Gloss – A medium-high sheen good for kitchens, baths, and high-traffic areas
• High Gloss – A very shiny, durable finish ideal for cabinetry and furnishings
• Specialty finishes – Chalk paints, concrete paints, appliance paints, and more

So no matter what type of paint you need mixed to match a custom color, Home Depot can definitely accommodate it.

I’ll go into more specifics later on choosing paint sheens for your project.

Are There Limits on Custom Color Matching?

With thousands of pigments in their paint database, Home Depot doesn’t have strict limits on what colors can be matched by their machines. However, very bold and intense colors may be difficult to match exactly.

Your best bet is to provide a physical sample to be scanned by the color matching system. This should be the actual color that you want mixed.

You can also provide specific Pantone colors, Benjamin Moore colors, or any brand paint colors. The machines will scan the sample and match the color formulations.

For DIYers, I recommend bringing in a swatch, fabric scrap, colored artwork, or any small physical sample of your desired shade. The scanning system is very advanced and can match millions of colors!

Step-by-Step: How the Paint Mixing Process Works

Here is a simple step-by-step overview of getting paint mixed at Home Depot:

1. Choose your base paint finish – Select a neutral base color like white or gray in the finish (matte, satin, etc.) you want. This makes color matching easier.

2. Bring your color sample – This can be a physical swatch or something else with the color you want matched.

3. The employee scans your sample – They‘ll either use a handheld scanner or manually enter the RGB or HEX color code into the machine.

4. The machine dispenses the pigments – It automatically adds the exact combination of colorants needed to match your sample.

5. The paint is shaken thoroughly – This ensures the colorants blend fully into the base paint.

6. Confirm the color match – Employees will open the paint and verify it matches your sample before handing it over.

And that‘s it! Within 10-15 minutes typically, you‘ll walk out with a batch of perfectly mixed custom paint.

Can You Order Mixed Paint Online from Home Depot?

Unfortunately, Home Depot does not currently offer paint mixing services for online orders. Paint matching is only available at retail locations with painting counters.

This makes sense since the staff has to physically scan and match each color. But I recommend browsing paint colors online first to get inspiration for your project!

Once you‘ve narrowed down your preferred hues, you can head to the store with your sample and have it matched.

Will Home Depot Re-Mix Old Paint?

Yes! You can bring old paint cans into any Home Depot location and have them remixed right at the paint counter.

Even if the old paint is lumpy or separated, their industrial mixers will be able to properly blend it back up for use. This is a great way to save money instead of buying all new paint.

Home Depot can also add a bit of tint to the old paint to slightly alter the color if needed. A couple ounces of colorant is usually enough to give it a fresh look.

Just make sure to bring a color sample if you want the paint matched to a different color than the original.

What is Home Depot‘s Paint Mixing Return Policy?

Since custom mixed paints are specialized orders, Home Depot cannot accept returns on premixed paint.

This makes sense because paint mixed for you can‘t be resold to other customers. I recommend starting with a quart size first if you are unsure of the color.

To avoid getting stuck with paint you can‘t return:

• Get color samples first to test hues
• Start with smaller quart size batches
• Verify the color match before leaving the store

With some upfront planning and testing, you can feel confident purchasing gallons of your custom mixed paint.

Tips for Success with Home Depot Paint Mixing

Over the years, I’ve learned a few helpful tips for smoother paint matching at Home Depot:

• Check store hours – Paint counter hours may vary from the main store hours.

• Come prepared – Bring your color sample or specifications to save time.

• Snap photos – Take pictures of your samples in natural lighting for the most accurate matching.

• Match sheen – Use the same paint finish (eggshell, satin, etc.) as existing paint.

• Buy samples – Test quarts or small samples before buying full gallons.

• Verify the match – Check the color in natural light once mixed before leaving.

• Ask questions – Employees are very knowledgeable if you’re unsure about anything.

With some handy preparation, you can get the perfect custom color matched easily at Home Depot‘s paint counter.

Doing More Than Just Mixing Paint? Consider Home Depot‘s Painting Services

In addition to paint matching, Home Depot also offers full-service painting through independent contractors available for hire.

This is perfect if you need help with an entire interior or exterior paint job. The store has partnerships with hundreds of local professional painters.

Some of the key benefits of using Home Depot‘s painting services include:

• Vetted Contractors – They screen painters for licensing, insurance, experience, and performance. Gives peace of mind.

• Upfront Estimates – You‘ll get a quote for the project scope to budget appropriately.

• Materials Included – Paint and supplies are provided per your color selections. One less thing to handle.

• Warranty – Home Depot provides a limited warranty on workmanship. Gives you recourse if any issues.

Interior painting costs average $2-$4 per square foot depending on the prep work, number of coats needed, sheen, etc. Exteriors run $1-$3 per square foot on average.

While DIY painting can save money, the contractors handle all the messy difficult work for you. It‘s worth considering for big projects!

Choosing the Right Paint Sheen and Finish

One of the keys to a successful paint job is using the appropriate sheen and finish for each room and surface. This improves durability and aesthetics.

Here are my top tips for choosing sheens:

Living Rooms

• Eggshell – Provides subtle shine and easy touch-ups on walls

Bedrooms and Dining Rooms

• Satin or Eggshell – Soft sheen minimizes imperfections

Bathrooms and Kitchens

• Semi-Gloss or Satin – Withstands moisture and frequent cleaning

Doors, Cabinets, and Trim

• Semi-Gloss or High Gloss – Very durable and scrubbable

Ceilings and Hallways

• Matte/Flat – No shine to emphasize architectural details

Consider sheen samples to see finishes in your lighting. Satin and eggshell are ideal for most rooms, offering touch-up ability and subtle elegance.

Estimating How Much Paint You‘ll Need

There’s nothing worse than coming up short halfway through a paint job! To determine how much premixed paint to purchase from Home Depot, here is a quick calculator:

1. Measure room dimensions – Get wall lengths, ceiling height, door and window sizes

2. Calculate total square footage – Multiply height times width for each wall section

3. Factor in number of coats – Ceilings and light colors typically need 2 coats

4. Divide by paint coverage – ~350 sq ft per gallon is average

5. Add 10-15% extra – Allows for spills, touch-ups, and cutting-in

Most rooms under 12’x12’ will need 1-2 gallons total. For bigger rooms or exteriors, measure carefully to get an accurate paint estimate.

Buying too much custom mixed paint can’t be returned, so measure twice to get it right!

Handy Home Depot Resources for Painting Prep

In addition to paint itself, Home Depot has everything you need for painting success:

Paint Supplies Checklist

• Drop cloths – Protect floors and furnishings
• Paint trays – Essential for rolling paint neatly
• Roller covers – Choose based on surface type
• Brushes – Angled sash brushes for cutting-in corners
• Paint sprayer – For large jobs or textured surfaces
• Sandpaper – To scuff glossy surfaces for better adhesion
• Painter’s tape – For crisper edges along trim and ceilings
• Tarps – For covering furniture and fixtures
• Paint thinner – For cleaning brushes and equipment

Investing in high-quality applicators, tape, and prep tools will make your paint job faster with better results.

Surface Prep Tips

• Fill holes and patch imperfections for a smooth finish
• Sand glossy surfaces to help paint adhere
• Clean walls with mild soap and water
• Use deglosser on slick surfaces like cabinets
• Caulk cracks and gaps for a seamless look
• Use painters tape for clean edges along trim

Proper prep work makes the painting process infinitely easier!

Do You Need to Mix a New Color or Use Existing?

Sometimes a color you want is already available pre-mixed from Home Depot. But how do you know whether to mix a custom color vs. use an existing shade?

Here are a few factors to consider:

• Is the existing color an exact match or just close?
• Is the color you want still actively manufactured?
• Do you need the specific original brand formula?
• Does the existing color come in the finish you need?
• Will multiple cans of the stock color be identical?

If you need to perfectly match an existing color in your home, custom mixing is best. But for close matches, sample the pre-mixed colors first to compare.

Matching discontinued or specialty colors requires custom mixing. For large projects, mixing all paint at once ensures color consistency across multiple cans.

Troubleshooting Tips for Paint Matching Issues

No matter how advanced Home Depot‘s color matching system is, occasional issues can arise:

• Incorrect undertones – The color may dry too yellow, red, or blue. Ask for additional adjustment.

• Sheen affects perception – Matte paint alters the vibrance. Match sheen exactly.

• Metamerism effect – Colors match under one light but not another. Examine sample match closely under multiple lighting conditions before finalizing.

• Too dark/light – Have additional colorant added to slightly adjust the depth if needed.

Don‘t be afraid to speak up! Employees can tweak the formula until you get an exact match. Sample batches help refine the color before committing to gallons.

With a few troubleshooting tips, you can get the color dialed in perfectly.

Ready to Give Home Depot Paint Mixing a Try?

As you can see, Home Depot‘s instore paint counters provide everything needed for custom color matching. With some preparation and testing, you can have the perfect hue for your painting projects mixed on demand.

While specialty paint stores have great options too, Home Depot‘s selection and convenience make it my #1 choice for essential painting supplies.

The next time inspiration strikes for giving a room a fresh new color, remember Home Depot can easily match it! Let the knowledgeable staff help make your paint project a breeze.