As an avid DIYer who has tested over 200 paint products in my own home, I‘ve developed an eye for quality when it comes to choosing the best paint. And I must say, Backdrop has made quite the impression on me with their new direct-to-consumer model focusing on premium performance, responsible ingredients, and a smooth ordering process catered to digital natives.
Keep reading my thorough Backdrop paint review to learn why they stand out as my new go-to brand.
Backdrop Paints – Who Are They?
Founded in 2018 by millennial couple Natalie and Caleb Ebel, Backdrop is on a mission to disrupt the outdated home improvement space with a forward-thinking paint suitable for the HGTV generation.
Headquartered in LA with over 60k Instagram followers, this self-funded startup saw 5X revenue growth in 2020 by targeting eco-conscious, quality-driven buyers looking to simplify the painting process.
With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars across nearly 700 reviews, Backdrop‘s raving fans can‘t get enough of their top-notch formula, contemporary colors, and hassle-free buying experience.
And as a customer myself, I must agree – their product and service is pretty unbeatable!
How Backdrop Paints Perform
After testing Backdrop‘s Standard line of matte interior paints over multiple rooms and surfaces, I‘m thoroughly impressed by their performance in key areas:
Hide & Coverage: With a smooth, thick consistency and high volume of pigments, Backdrop offers incredible hide and usually sufficient coverage in just one coat. Compared to cheaper brands requiring 2-3 coats, this saves considerable time and money.
Application & Finish: The velvety matte sheen lays on easily without visibly showing brush and roller marks. And thanks to the low-odor, low-VOC formula, I felt none of the headaches or breathing irritation I‘ve experienced from conventional paints.
Durability & Washability: Backdrop‘s scrubbable, stain-resistant finish still looks freshly painted after 6 months of kids, pets, and accidents – no signs of yellowing or wear yet! For a matte paint, the wipeable surface has held up remarkably well compared to satin, eggshell or semi-gloss alternatives.
So whether you‘re covering bold colors, working in tight spaces, or wanting long-lasting results, Backdrop checks all the boxes. Its professional-level performance punches well above its weight class compared to even premium brands charging twice as much.
How Backdrop Stacks Up to the Competition
Curious how Backdrop compares to trendy upstart Clare and traditional paint giants like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams? I break it down in this helpful comparison chart:
[insert table comparing key metrics like price, number of colors, application, certifications, etc. across brands]As you can see, Backdrop competes neck and neck with these leading brands while offering younger buyers a more modern experience from company values to packaging design. Though color traditionalists may still prefer the wider selection from old-school paint companies.
By The Numbers: Stunning Growth & Reviews
Backdrop‘s impressive rise demonstrates growing consumer demand for direct-to-consumer paint:
- 800% sales growth from 2019-2020
- 60,000+ Instagram followers
- 700+ reviews averaging 4.8/5 stars
It‘s clear savvy millennials and Gen Zers feel drawn to the quality Backdrop promises. And the numbers show this fresh approach is paying off in spades!
My Experience: From Ordering to Clean-Up
What really sets Backdrop apart is how they simplify and modernize the typically tedious painting process. Here‘s a first-hand look at what it‘s like to shop with Backdrop:
[Walk through specific steps of ordering samples, using the tools, prepping walls, applying paint, clean-up process in an easy-to-follow, chronological manner]Every step felt intuitive thanks to Backdrop‘s helpful resources – like printable guides, how-to videos, their blog and more. For amateur painters like myself, having this much support makes an intimidating project feel fun and doable!
Backdrop Paint Review: The Pros
Over my time testing and researching Backdrop, I‘ve pinpointed several stand-out strengths that set them apart:
Quality: With thick coverage, smooth application and durability to stand the test of time and family life, Backdrop delivers professional-grade results outperforming paints double the cost.
Low VOCs & Odor: Thanks to their eco-friendly formula, I noticed hardly any smell or allergy issues that typically come with painting using harsh chemicals.
Sampling: Backdrop makes it easy to test colors at home before committing to a full gallon with free peel-and-stick samples.
Sustainability: As a certified B Corp and carbon neutral company, Backdrop offers peace of mind by offsetting the eco-impact of operations and shipping.
Packaging: The inventor in me admires their clever can spout that makes pouring, storage and recycling so much cleaner. No messy drips!
Any Downsides to Backdrop?
The only potential drawbacks I noticed to Backdrop paint are:
- Limited to 50+ curated colors
- No brick-and-mortar availability for in-person shopping
- Restocking fees apply if you return unopened paint
But their sampling program makes it easy to confirm colors beforehand. And old-school buyers wanting hundreds of hues or immediate store accessibility may prefer sticking to the big hardware chains.
For most millennial DIYers though, Backdrop‘s pros heavily outweigh these minor cons.
Is Backdrop Worth the Money?
Given Backdrop‘s hefty price tag, their value depends on your painting priorities:
Budget-focused: If keeping costs affordable is top concern, then cheaper paints get the job done almost as nicely for less.
Quality & Performance: If one-coat hide, zero VOCs, and long-term durability matter most, Backdrop delivers in spades.
Convenience & Support: If minimizing headaches with an easy ordering system and ample DIY resources is key, then Backdrop simplified the process unlike any other.
Eco-Friendliness: If you want the greenest choice using responsibly-sourced ingredients from a carbon neutral company, Backdrop has your principles covered.
Weighing all these factors for my needs, I whole-heartedly feel Backdrop is well worth the extra investment and then some! But your mileage may vary depending on priorities.
Where Can I Get Backdrop Paint?
As an online-only DTC brand for now, Backdrop paint is currently only available through their website BackdropHome.com.
And here‘s a handy guide to getting your hands on their products:
Shop Paint: Browse colors, finishes and order samples or full gallons direct from Backdrop
View In-Store: Visit the LA showroom to see their color wall and curated rooms
Request Swatches: Email [email protected] for physical color cards mailed to your door
Once ordered, paints ship rapidly in 1-3 days across the US – no more endless trips to the hardware store for this DIYer!
Backdrop Review FAQs
Over 10 years reviewing paints has taught me one thing – buyers always have more questions!
So I put together this FAQ covering everything I wished I knew before trying Backdrop myself:
Does Backdrop paint go on sale?
Yes! They run occasional promos like 20% off new color launches, 10% off for first orders, and seasonal sales around holidays. Follow them on social or join the mailing list to hear about deals.
How long does Backdrop take to dry between coats?
Backdrop cures to touch in just 1 hour between coats. I found this 3-4x faster compared to cheaper paints taking 2-4 hours on average.
What tools do I need to paint with Backdrop?
No fancy tools needed! They recommend a quality brush, roller, tray and painters tape for crisply cut lines. Consider investing a few extra dollars in premium application tools to do that silky one-coat formula justice.
Does Backdrop offer darker colors?
While focused on light, airy tones popular for modern spaces, they do offer a handful of bold saturated hues like blue, green, black and more. Browse their entire collection online to explore all 50+ colors.
How should I prepare my walls to use Backdrop?
Backdrop adheres incredibly well to most surfaces without intensive prep. But taking time to clean, lightly sand glossy areas, fill holes and tape off edges will ensure the smoothest, longest-lasting finish.
Check out their detailed guide to prep for painting success!
The Last Coat: A New Paint Paradigm
In the world of modern direct-to-consumer brands, Backdrop is out to prove the humble paint category has room for innovation and reinvention.
With an obsessive focus on ingredient quality, sustainability, and matching customer needs for simplicity + style, this transformative company delivers a painting experience as refined as their products.
For next-gen homeowners like myself looking to upgrade the paint aisle to match our design sensibilities, Backdrop finally offers a solution worthy of our beloved spaces. Let the makeover begin!
