Commercial Painting · Jul 2025
School: gym, hallways, cafeteria and classrooms
School: gym, hallways, cafeteria and classrooms. These are after photos from the job, taken Jul 2025. This commercial painting project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
School Gyms, Hallways, Cafeteria and Classrooms Repainted Over Summer Break
This school job covered almost every shared space in the building. The cafeteria photos show gold walls with pale spot-primed patches where old marks, anchors and dents were filled before the finish coats went on. Above the tables, the soffit band around the drop ceiling was painted the same warm gold. In the hallways, red rosin paper ran along both sides of the floor and orange tape held it tight to the baseboards while the crew rolled the walls. The finished hallways have light gray walls with an eggshell glow, deep blue accent bays around classroom doors, and bright yellow column wraps that match the floor tile. Two gyms were painted as well. Their tall walls are clean white and light gray, with school logos and lettering standing out against them. One classroom got a gold accent wall behind the desks, with white side walls and gray door frames.
How We Painted a School While the Building Was Empty
- We grouped the work by area, so the gyms, cafeteria, hallways and classrooms could be finished one zone at a time without blocking the whole building.
- In the hallways we rolled out red rosin paper along both walls and taped it to the baseboards. That kept drips and roller spatter off the shiny tile floors and away from the base trim.
- Walls were cleaned of tape, tacks and scuffs. We filled dents, anchor holes and gouges, sanded them flush, then spot-primed every patch so it would not flash through the new color.
- Accent zones were cut in by hand first. The deep blue door bays, gold cafeteria walls and yellow columns all got sharp, straight edges at corners, ceilings and door frames.
- Large wall runs and the tall gym walls were rolled with extension poles and tall ladders, keeping a wet edge so the long hallways dried without lap marks or stripes.
- Every area received two finish coats in a washable sheen. We then pulled the paper, touched up any nicks, and left the rooms ready for furniture and the school year.
Paint Colors Similar to These School Hallways and Gym Walls
These are similar colors to consider for school or office walls with this look. They are not the exact colors used on this school.
Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray SW 7015
A soft light gray close to the main hallway walls. It hides scuffs better than white and lets blue and yellow accents stand out.
Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue HC-158
A deep, rich blue in the same family as the accent bays around the classroom doors. It reads strong without turning black under bright lights.
Sherwin-Williams Extra White SW 7006
A clean, crisp white like the upper gym walls. It keeps big rooms bright and makes painted logos and lettering easy to read.
Questions About Painting Schools and Commercial Interiors
When is the best time to paint a school?
Summer break and long holiday breaks work best because halls and classrooms are empty. Crews can spread out, ventilate rooms and let paint dry without foot traffic. Planning early matters, since many schools also schedule floor waxing and repairs during the same weeks, and painting should come before the floors are finished.
What sheen holds up best in school hallways?
Most schools use eggshell, satin or semi-gloss on walls that get touched and bumped every day. These sheens wipe clean better than flat paint. Satin is a common middle ground. Gym walls and classroom walls may use a similar sheen, while ceilings usually stay flat to hide flaws and reduce glare.
How do you keep paint off new or waxed floors?
We cover floors in work areas with rosin paper, drop cloths or plastic and tape the edges to the baseboard. In long hallways we leave a center walk path open for staff. Edges are cut in by hand, and any covering is pulled carefully at the end so tape does not lift the floor finish.
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