Planning an Interior Painting Project? We Have 2 Tips for Avoiding Paint Odor and VOCs

Transitional Living Room by Minneapolis Interior Designers & Decorators Martha O'Hara Interiors
Visually speaking, interior painting is a beautiful process. Watching repairs, scuffs, and faded old colors be covered by crisp coats of primer and paint is hugely satisfying. Just ask us; it’s what we do all day and it hasn’t gotten old yet. Especially during this time of year when windows are tightly closed and there isn’t exactly a lot of air exchange, there is one common question that we encounter: is there a way to avoid the smell of fresh paint? Whether you are concerned about chemicals in your home or are sensitive to smells (maybe both!), this is a legitimate question. We have a couple of answers that might just help you get a bit more excited about your next interior painting project here in St. Louis.

Option 1: Have You Heard of Low and Zero-VOC Paint?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are included in the solvent within your paint’s formula. After you roll or brush it into place, the VOCs evaporate and that all-too-familiar smell of fresh paint begins to grow.

With the goal of being both environmentally-conscious and responsive to customer concerns, low and zero-VOC paint formulas have been developed (and perfected). These products are ideal for painting spaces that either need to be occupied during the painting process or maybe can only be out of commission for a very short amount of time. And, of course, low-VOC paint is also ideal for the St. Louis homeowner who is interested in a winter-time interior painting project. If you’d like to learn more about a couple of the most popular options, just take a look here: Benjamin Moore’s Natura line, or Sherwin-Williams’ Promar 200.

Option 2: Replace Paint Odor with Paint Scentsations

This is a product that we have only just begun to try, but we’ve received positive feedback so far. It’s an additive that is directly mixed with your paint of choice during each coat. While it doesn’t block or eliminate VOCs, it does add a long-lasting, pleasant alternative to the chemical smell of paint. If you’d like to learn more about odor options and how it works, be sure to visit Paint Scentsations’ here. Can we help with your next interior painting project? It would be our pleasure to guide you through your product options, making the best decision for your specific needs and goals.

Request an Estimate Today

About Kennedy Painting

Our goal as a painting contractor is to provide our clients with the utmost in professional and responsible house painting. Through ongoing training, we keep our employees up to date on industry changes, new products, innovations, and our award-winning customer service standards. From our initial in-home consultation to our final project walkthrough, Kennedy Painting is a painting company that St. Louis residents can rely on. Our attention to detail and proper techniques at every stage ensure that our paint jobs will last. We stand behind all our work written warranty and can guarantee that your painting investment will beautify and protect your home for many years to come.

  • BBB A+ Accredited
  • 2-year written warranty
  • 25 + years in business
  • Locally Owned and Operated

Learn More

People Hire Us Because They Know

  • We offer a no-questions-asked two-year warranty on all of our painting projects.
  • We are competitive with our pricing structure.
  • Our paint jobs last longer because we never skimp on site protection.
  • We leave the job NEAT and CLEAN.
  • We have long-standing employees that are treated well.
  • We give back to our community in many ways, including our annual charity project, Paint It Forward.

Learn More

Award icon Award icon Award icon Award icon Award icon Award icon Award icon