People and Planet Friendly Paints

I don’t know about you, but this is the time of year when I start dreaming about painting a room—any room. I’m ready for a change or a simple refresh, and paint is one of the easiest ways to make a big impact.

But when it’s too cold to open the windows and air things out, how do you avoid strong fumes and potential toxins? The good news: you don’t have to. Low- or no-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints, along with options that have low or no HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants), make it possible to paint without the headache—literally.

Even better, there are plenty of planet- and people-friendly paint options that fit the bill. While they may cost a bit more than standard paints, they’re well worth it for the health of your family—especially if you’re painting a child’s room or live with someone who has health concerns.

Here are some great options from the folks at The Good Trade who used these guidelines to rate the paints:

• NONTOXIC | The options on this list are all no- or low-VOC and reduce the amount of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that result from painting your home.

• ECOFRIENDLY & SUSTAINABLE | These brands prioritize natural ingredients, safe production processes, and even have give-back programs to promote a better planet for us all.

• ACCESSIBLE | We’ve included options that you can find at a nearby hardware store, others that will send swatches to your home, and affordable options so you can easily make the nontoxic choice.