Painting for Life’s Big Moments

Westlake Ace Hardware offers expert guidance, popular color palettes, and the latest labor-saving tools.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Sept. 2, 2025) – Life is full of big moments. Buying your first home, setting up a nursery, sending kids off to college, or getting your house ready to sell. And many of those moments call for a fresh coat of paint to help your space feel just right.

“Life changes often inspire paint changes,” said Jennifer Schadegg, director of merchandising for Ace Retail Holdings, parent company of Westlake Ace Hardware. “Whether it’s picking a bold color for a teen’s new bedroom or finding the perfect neutral for resale, finding the right color can feel overwhelming.”

Schadegg added, “With so many premium brands and finishes available, it’s easy to find the right paint for any project, style, and budget. That’s where Westlake Ace Hardware comes in. Our knowledgeable paint experts help narrow color palette options and get the project started with confidence. We can even color match to replicate a favorite shade from fabric, artwork, or a team jersey.”

In addition to brushes, rollers, drop cloths, tape, and more, Westlake Ace Hardware offers a wide selection of trusted, high-quality paints such as Benjamin Moore^® and Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines^®.

Getting Ready to Sell Your House?

A fresh coat of neutral paint can help your home stand out to potential buyers and make it feel move-in ready. Warm grays, soft beiges, and creamy whites are top choices for real estate staging. Two designer-approved options from Benjamin Moore include White Dove, a timeless, soft white that works beautifully in any light, and Gray Owl, a versatile, airy gray with subtle warmth. Focus on high-traffic spaces like living rooms, hallways, and entryways to create an inviting fiujrst impression.

Refreshing Kids’ Rooms as They Grow

As kids grow, their space should grow with them. Whether you’re covering up a jungle mural or upgrading to a more mature color palette, repainting a child’s bedroom is a simple way to reflect their changing personality and needs. Colors like soft greens, dusty blues, and warm neutrals offer flexibility as interests and tastes evolve. For durability, choose a washable paint in an eggshell or satin finish that is good for standing up to scuffs and everyday messes that come with busy young lives. For trim doors, a semi-gloss finish provides protection and a polished look.

Top 3 Tips for a Professional Paint Job

1. Repair and Clean: Repair any holes using a wall repair patch and a high-quality spackling compound. A metal spackling knife will help you spread the compound more easily. Once dry, you can sand it with fine sandpaper. Smaller holes in trim can be repaired with wood filler. Clean the wall thoroughly and remove stains and pet odors. Cleaning solutions like TSP and Simple Green are ideal for this.
2. Tape and Protect: Quality painter’s tape makes a huge difference in any painting project. It properly masks the surfaces you don’t want painted (such as such as crown molding and baseboards), protects against splatters and drips, produces sharp paint lines, and gives you professional-looking results.
3. Brush and Roll: The best nylon polyester paint brushes and rollers may cost a little more, but they won’t shed bristles and help the paint cover more completely. When properly cared for, the brushes will last for many years. Most projects will at least require an angled 2- or 2 1/2-inch trim brush (for “cutting in”) and a roller. Work in small sections of two- or three-square feet and load the roller with just enough paint so that it’s saturated – but not dripping. Hold the roller in your dominant hand and follow a “W” or “M” pattern across and down using moderate pressure.