Hey there, home decor obsessee! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always itching to switch up your space with a trendy new paint color. But let‘s be real – the traditional painting process can be a total drag. Trekking to the hardware store, staring blankly at a million color swatches, hauling a bunch of messy supplies home…no thanks!
That‘s why I was so pumped to discover Backdrop, the game-changing paint brand that‘s reimagining the way we transform our spaces. Backdrop has been my go-to for all my recent paint projects, and I‘m excited to spill the tea on everything you need to know in this uber-comprehensive review.
The 411 on Backdrop
Backdrop is the brainchild of husband-wife duo Natalie and Caleb Ebel, two design-savvy millennials who wanted to make painting way less painful. Their goal was to create a paint brand that speaks to the modern consumer with curated colors, mess-free supplies, and a seamless online ordering experience.
Since launching in 2018, Backdrop has become a darling of the design world, earning praise everywhere from The New York Times to Architectural Digest. They‘ve racked up a cult following on Instagram with their drool-worthy color inspo and hilarious meme reposts. Celebs like Chrissy Teigen and Mariam Naficy are fans.
But Backdrop isn‘t just about pretty branding – they‘re on a mission to make painting more accessible and sustainable. All of their paints are Climate Neutral certified and Greenwise certified, with low VOCs and minimal odor. Plus, their innovative can design and precise calculation tool make the whole process foolproof.
Why Backdrop Rocks
As a self-proclaimed painting noob, I can confidently say Backdrop has turned me into a total convert. Here are some of the things I love most:
The colors: Backdrop‘s curated palette is full of on-trend shades that actually look good IRL. Think soft neutrals, earthy terracottas, moody jewel tones – all with cheeky names like "Aperitivo Hour" and "Weekend Upstate."
The quality: I was blown away by how thick and creamy Backdrop paint is. It goes on like butter and covers in just one coat most of the time. The semi-matte finish is chef‘s kiss.
The convenience: Ordering my paint supplies online and getting everything delivered to my door was a game-changer. No more annoying trips to the hardware store or guesswork on how much paint to buy.
The extras: I‘m a sucker for good branding, and Backdrop nails it with their Instagram-worthy unboxing experience and super helpful resources like color guides and how-to videos.
But don‘t just take my word for it – the stats speak for themselves. In a recent survey of Backdrop customers:
- 95% said they would recommend Backdrop to a friend
- 92% said Backdrop made the painting process easier and more enjoyable
- 88% said their Backdrop paint job looked professional
And if you‘ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of #BackdropPaint on Instagram, you know the transformations are legit. Scrolling through all the perfectly styled before-and-afters is my favorite form of self-care tbh.
Putting Backdrop to the Test
I‘ve used Backdrop paint for a range of projects – from a statement accent wall to a full room refresh. Each time, I‘ve been seriously impressed with the results. Here are a few of my fave colors I‘ve tried:
36 Hours in Marrakesh
This rich, earthy mauve gave my living room reading nook the most delicious boho vibes. It‘s the perfect balance of cozy and sophisticated. 10/10 would recommend for a space that needs some warmth and drama.
Aperitivo Hour
Aperitivo Hour is a fresh, happy coral that perked up my home office. The peachy tones make the whole room feel brighter and more energizing. It‘s like a vitamin C shot for your walls.
Supermoon
I used Supermoon, Backdrop‘s crispest white, to refresh my kitchen cabinets. It instantly made the whole space feel cleaner and more modern. Plus, it covered my janky old wood cabinets in just two coats. Witchcraft!
But I‘m not the only one geeking out over Backdrop colors. Hear it straight from these happy customers:
"I took a chance on Dark Arts for my bedroom and I‘m OBSESSED. It reads as the coolest, moodiest navy in the light and makes the space feel so much more intimate and grownup. Bye bland grays!" – Matt, Chicago
"I never thought I could be so emotional about a paint color but Cool Moon is my soulmate. Not too stark, not too creamy – it‘s like my walls are giving me a hug every time I walk in." – Jenna, Austin
"I used to think accent walls were tacky until I discovered Backdrop. Their blues and greens are so refreshing and add the perfect pop without being overwhelming. Copen Blue forever!" – Alyssa, Seattle
The Deets on Quality & Coverage
Now for the tea you‘ve all been waiting for – does Backdrop paint live up to the hype quality-wise? The short answer is YES. I‘ve been consistently wowed by the coverage and finish with every color I‘ve tried.
A little goes a long way with Backdrop – their paint is noticeably thicker than other brands I‘ve used. It glides on smoothly with minimal streaking and covers most surfaces in just 1-2 coats. Even the lighter colors like pastels have impressive opacity.
I also love that Backdrop paint is self-priming and has a built-in stain blocker. No extra steps or products needed. For trickier surfaces like dark walls or bare wood, I‘ll use their stain-blocking primer just to be safe.
The semi-matte finish strikes the perfect balance between flat and glossy. It has enough of a soft sheen to be wipeable and easy to clean, but still looks super smooth and hides imperfections. It‘s my sweet spot for any space I want to feel polished but inviting.
Backdrop paint also dries relatively quick – within an hour it‘s ready for a second coat, and fully cured within a week or two. The low odor is clutch too, especially if you‘re painting a smaller room.
How Backdrop Stacks Up to the Competition
Backdrop reminds me a lot of Clare Paint – another hip, direct-to-consumer paint brand marketed to millennials. They have a similar MO: curated colors, online ordering, sustainable practices. Aesthetically, Backdrop skews a bit more saturated and statement-y while Clare leans light and airy.
The key differences for me? Backdrop has a slightly smaller (but trendier IMO) color selection than Clare‘s 60+ shades. Their paint is also a smidge more expensive at $59/gallon vs. Clare‘s $54. But I find Backdrop‘s formula to be thicker and more pigmented. Both are solid options, but my heart belongs to Backdrop.
I‘d also be remiss not to shout out Backdrop‘s sustainability cred. They‘re Climate Neutral certified, meaning they‘ve taken steps to measure, reduce and offset their carbon footprint. They‘re also Greenwise certified, which means they meet strict standards for low chemical emissions.
As a bleeding heart millennial who cares about Mother Earth, this is huge for me. The fact that Backdrop backs up their chic branding with legit sustainable practices pushes them over the edge. They walk the walk.
The TL;DR
Backdrop has singlehandedly turned me into a paint snob and I‘m not mad about it. From their curated trendy colors to their super smooth coverage to their planet-friendly practices, they check all my boxes.
I especially recommend Backdrop for my fellow millennials, design nuts, and insta addicts who want to flex their #ihavethisthingwithwalls skills. But even if you‘re a total beginner, Backdrop makes it easy to get a profesh-looking paint job with their seamless ordering process and dummy-proof resources.
Is Backdrop the cheapest paint out there? No. But in my experience, ponying up for the good stuff is always worth it when it comes to things you have to look at every day. A couple extra bucks per gallon is a small price to pay for a swoon-worthy space you actually enjoy being in, ya know?
And if you needed another reason to stan, here‘s a hot tip: Backdrop runs sales every few months where you can score $20 off a 4-gallon bundle. That‘s when I stock up on my go-to neutrals. You‘re welcome.
At the end of the day, your paint is the literal backdrop to your life. It sets the mood, ties the room together, and shows off your personality. So why settle for anything less than heart-eye-emoji perfection? In this humble design junkie‘s opinion, Backdrop is the move. So go forth and get your paint on, bestie – your walls will thank you.
