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7 Best One-Coat Paints for Your Home

Ben James
Published by Ben James
Last Updated On: March 1, 2024

Painting a room is one of the more common projects you can tackle on your own. However, tape, prime and repaint for a new look can be tiring.

One coat of paint is up to 20 percent viscous, which allows it to be more effective at covering up old coats of paint so that you don’t have to spend time on a primer or second coat. One-coat paint and primer in one are also available, which only allows you to use two cans of paint for a large wall or room. You can also use this selection to paint your home because it’s also the fastest way to paint a house for saving time.

Before you embark on using one-coat paint, make sure you choose your ideal one carefully. For instance, the best one-coat paints for the bathroom aren’t the best for your living room, bedroom, and ceiling. Below is how to go about it.

Our Top One-Coat Paints Picks

7 Best One Coat Paint To Use

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1 - Behr Marquee Ultra Pure White Matte Interior Paint And Primer

Behr Marquee Ultra Pure White Matte Interior Paint And Primer

It has a low VOC percentage that doesn’t pose the same risk as a standard paint product. This one coat acrylic paint product is a great option for hallways, bedrooms, dens and other areas around the home that are difficult to ventilate.

The paint comes in an 8-ounce bottle, 1-quart can, 1-gallon can, or a 5-gallon bucket with five finish options, including flat, matte, eggshell, semi-gloss, and high gloss. The ultra-pure white color cannot cover in just one coat unless you’re using it on a white wall. The paint requires 24 hours to properly cure, at which it becomes durable and resistant to mold and mildew, allowing it to be cleaned with soap and water without ill effect.

Compared to our next tried and tested option, the Kilz Tribute Interior Paint and Primer in One, both the Behr Marquee Ultra Pure White Matte Interior Paint and Primer and the Kilz Tribute Interior Paint and Primer in One are high-quality one-coat paints that offer good coverage and durability. However, Behr Marquee is known for its superior stain resistance, while Kilz Tribute has a slightly more affordable price point.

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2 - Kilz Tribute Interior Paint And Primer In One

Kilz Tribute Interior Paint and Primer in One

The Kilz one-coat paint is water-based and has a low number of VOCs, making it a great option for painting small bedrooms or basements where ventilation may be poor. This one-coat paint also comes in more than 20 colors and shades as well as four finishes, including flat, matte, eggshell, and semi-gloss.

The paint has a quick drying time of three hours but requires 24 hours to fully cure. Once cured, the paint is scrubbable and resistant to mildew, mold, and stains.

While the Kilz Tribute Interior Paint and Primer in One and Glidden Premium Base Semi-Gloss Interior Paint are both versatile paints that can be used on a variety of surfaces, the Kilz Tribute Interior Paint and Primer in One we tested has a higher coverage rate than Glidden Premium, but Glidden Premium is known for its good flow and leveling properties, which can result in a smoother finish.

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3 - Glidden Premium Base Semi-Gloss Interior Paint

Glidden Premium Base Semi-Gloss Interior Paint

This is an inexpensive one coat paint product suitable for high traffic areas such as trim, baseboards, kitchens and bathrooms. This is because it has a high level of durability that isn’t susceptible to wrinkling, bunching, cracking and peeling while being cleaned.

The later interior paint and the primer combination are also resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew, helping to protect porous materials like drywall from microbial growth and water damage. It comes in a 1-quart, 1-gallon or 5-gallon can with 1 gallon of paint, providing 300 and 400 square feet of coverage. This paint also has a low odor and zero VOC formula, making it6 a good choice for rooms that are difficult to ventilate.

Compared to another budget-friendly option that we tried, Prestige is known for its low odor and low VOC formula, making it a more eco-friendly option than Glidden Premium Base Semi-Gloss Interior Paint.

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4 - Prestige Interior Paint And Primer In One

This one-coat paint is a top pick because it comes in several neutral shades that will resist fading over time. The prestige paint and primer combo is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a low odor, acrylic paint.

This paint primer combo is also great for painting interior rooms like family rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms. Prestige Interior Paint and Primer in One and The One Paint and Primer are both known for their all-in-one formula, which can save time and money. However, The One Paint and Primer is unique in that it can be used on almost any surface, including fabric, metal, and wood.

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5 - The One Paint And Primer

The one paint and primer is a versatile product that can be used on many surfaces. It also comes in neutral tones that are made to resist fading, and it’s available in several sizes for any sized project.

This paint will last longer if applied to small projects with a primer coat first, making this one of the best exterior paint products on the market. The One paint can be applied directly to metal or plastic, and it comes in low VOC formulas perfect for the environment.

However, Behr Marquee, which we tested out first, is known for its superior stain resistance, while The One Paint and Primer is unique in its ability to be used on a wide range of surfaces.

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6 - Nuvo Cabinet Paint

This one-coat paint seals and protects your surfaces from any dust and debris.

It is a Low VOC, low odor, water-based Acrylic paint that is smooth to apply and lasts a long time.

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7 - Beyond Paint All -In-One Paint

Beyond paint serves as a primer, paint, and sealant and shuts off the need for any other paint which is why it’s one of our favorite tried and tested products.

 

This beautiful lustrous paint requires no stripping, no sanding, and no priming. The application of paint is smooth and can be applied with a brush or roller or spray gun. 

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How to Choose the Best One Coat Paint

Whether you’re picking out a one-coat paint product to redo the living room or to add a pop of color to the bathroom, there are several factors to consider when choosing paint colors from the easy color wheel.

As you look through our list of tried and tested one-coat paints, here’s how to choose the best one:

1. Type of Surface

The surface you’re choosing to paint will dictate the type of one-coat paint you should use. If it’s a very complex surface, you should opt for an oil-based enamel. This is because oil-based enamels are known for being durable and lasting longer than water-based paints. However, oil-based paints take longer to dry and contain a higher percentage of VOCs, but the durable finish is a better choice for impact-prone locations like baseboards and door trim.

Water-based paints are also known as latex or acrylic paints. They have a low VOC concentration, and they dry quickly, making them a great option for hallways, ceilings, bedrooms, and living rooms. One-coat paint isn’t usually water-based because it’s difficult to manufacture thick water-based latex paint or acrylic paint that will reliably cover in just one coat.

2. Intended Use

The area where the one-coat paint will be used is a great indicator of the appropriate paint product for the job. This is because certain areas around the home require water-resistant paint while other locations can get by with a paint that offers some protection but is more for aesthetic appeal.

You should know that the best one-coat paints aren’t always the best choice for a home improvement project. A wall that has never been painted may not also have the best results with only one coat of paint. Generally, wood, new drywall, or any new surface isn’t well suited for one-coat paint products.

Low-traffic surfaces like the interior walls in the living room, den, dining room, bedrooms, and halls are suitable for one coat of paint designed to provide a small amount of protection to the drywall while looking great. High-traffic areas such as bathrooms and kitchens will require a different type of one-coat paint, a variety resistant to water.

3. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs in paint are the leading factor in determining the difference between one-coat and two-coat paints. The paint industry is moving towards water-based, low-VOC paints that offer much less harsh fumes when painting. Lower VOC paints make them a good choice for areas where there is little ventilation or limited access to open windows for proper ventilation. THink about this as you look through our evaluated and guaranteed list of the best one-coat paints!

4. Color and Finish

Color is the most important factor when deciding on a one-coat paint product. A quick and easy color selection makes your job easier when it comes to painting, but maybe you want a specific shade of white or gray. If the color is not an issue for you, one-coat paints are available in many types of finishes such as flat, matte, and eggshell.

Flat and matte finishes are at the lowest level of glossiness. This type of one-coat paint finish is non-reflective, hiding surface inconsistencies and appearing smooth and velvety. Eggshell and satin finishes have more reflectivity and sheen than flat or matte, but they don’t shine nearly as bright as semi and high gloss.

This middle ground makes them ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms where natural light may be scarce. Semi-gloss and high gloss finishes are designed to reflect light, making them ideal for rooms with ample natural light.

5. How Much Paint, Coverage and Drying Time

One coat of paint comes in a range of sheens, from flat to high gloss. This range is directly related to the paint’s coverage and drying time. One-coat paints with low sheens such as matte offer very little coverage and dry slowly.

This means more finishing work after the paint is applied and more prep before the painting starts. Ask yourself how much paint you need for specific painting work before buying one coat of paint.

While one coat of paint is enough to provide ample coverage, the color of the surface to be painted and the selected color of the new paint can be a concern. For instance, trying to paint a bright red wall with white paint will likely require more than one coat of paint.

Product Type of Surface Intended Use VOCs Color and Finish Paint Coverage and Drying Time
Behr Marquee Ultra Pure White Matte Interior Paint and Primer 5/5 5/5 3/5 5/5 5/5
Kilz Tribute Interior Paint and Primer in One 5/5 4/5 4/5 4/5 4.5/5
Glidden Premium Base Semi-Gloss Interior Paint 4/5 4/5 3/5 4/5 4/5
Prestige Interior Paint and Primer in One 4/5 4/5 3/5 4/5 4/5
The One Paint and Primer 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/5
Nuvo Cabinet Paint 4/5 5/5 4/5 4/5 4.5/5
Beyond Paint All-In-One paint 5/5 5/5 3/5 5/5 5/5

FAQs

Can you apply one coat paint over the other paint?

Can you paint without a primer?

What are the benefits of using one-coat paints?

How do one-coat paints work?

How do you apply one-coat paints properly?

What types of surfaces are best suited for one-coat paints?

Final Thought On Selecting A One Coat Paint

As you can see, there are many one-coat paint products available. So, make sure you consider your budget and the color and texture of your surface. If you don’t know, go try a test patch on the wall or ceiling first to see what it looks like before deciding on the best one-coat paint.

 

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Behr Marquee Ultra Pure White Matte Interior Paint And Primer

Our #1 Recommendation

Ben James

Ben James

Ben is an experienced content writer with a passion for kitchen remodeling. He loves writing about latest kitchen designs & trends so that he can educate our readers make the best decisions possible when it comes to kitchens.

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