Recent growth and innovations in DIY architectural coatings

A review of market drivers, product-format developments, packaging/distribution shifts, and future innovation directions shaping DIY architectural coatings.

The article argues that pandemic-era behavioral shifts and reduced service availability accelerated DIY adoption, prompting innovation in simplified application systems, packaging, and consumer tool ecosystems.

DIY market growth drivers

One‑coat and 2‑in‑1 formats

Packaging and online delivery

Market context and motivating conditions

The article positions the COVID‑19 period as a major inflection point for DIY architectural coatings, linking increased time spent at home with heightened attention to interior spaces and the perceived value of home improvement. It frames DIY as expanding from minor repairs toward broader customization and aesthetic upgrades. Within this context, DIY adoption is described as contingent on product ease-of-use and the ability to deliver “professional finish” outcomes with reduced skill requirements and minimal surface preparation.

Segmentation drivers: labor availability and “cost of faulty choice”

A segmentation logic is proposed using two interacting factors: (i) availability of labor (e.g., contractor access) and (ii) cost of faulty choice (risk of rework if a consumer makes an incorrect product/process selection). This yields conceptual market states including “Pure DIY,” “Semi‑DIY,” and “No DIY” in which consumer willingness to self‑execute varies with perceived risk and access to skilled labor.

Pandemic-era demand shift and DIY adoption

Driver described Restricted movement and reduced access to services

Behavioral outcome Increased home-improvement interest and self-install preference

Core function: Situates DIY growth in macro-contextual conditions.

DIY definition expansion

Traditional framing Repair tasks with professional assistance

Current framing Broader customization and decorative modification by consumers

Core function: Redefines DIY as an expanding activity scope.

Segmentation axis 1: labor availability

Low availability Pushes toward DIY adoption

High availability Increases feasibility of professional installation

Core function: Explains adoption variance across geographies and service ecosystems.

Segmentation axis 2: cost of faulty choice

High cost Favors Semi‑DIY or professional routes due to risk

Low cost Supports Pure DIY experimentation

Core function Links product/system simplicity and guidance to consumer risk tolerance.

Product-format developments: one‑coat and 2‑in‑1 systems

The review identifies “one‑coat interior architectural paint” as a central innovation direction aimed at reducing time, labor, and material consumption. It emphasizes that achieving one‑coat performance requires coordinated control of binder–pigment–additive interactions, including pigment volume concentration considerations, hiding power (including TiO₂-related factors), and light scattering characteristics. The article further discusses “2‑in‑1 paint and primer” systems as a simplification strategy, particularly for repainting or substrate conditions where adhesion and sealing are critical.

Aerosols, packaging, and online delivery as adoption enablers

Aerosol formats are presented as enabling convenient application on diverse substrates while supporting decorative and repair workflows; however, the review notes user-safety and overspray concerns that require consumer education. Packaging is treated as a key determinant of DIY success due to its role in instruction clarity, durability in transport, storage stability, and waste reduction (e.g., preventing skinning/drying). Online delivery is positioned as expanding access, especially when coupled with guidance tools (e.g., virtual color consultation, DIY kits bundling tools and instructions).

One‑coat interior architectural paint

Objective Reduce coats while maintaining coverage and finish quality

Key formulation drivers cited Hiding power; pigment volume concentration; scattering/spreading behavior

Core function: Compresses workflow by targeting coverage equivalence to multi-coat systems.

2‑in‑1 paint and primer

Objective Integrate adhesion/sealing role with aesthetic function

Use scenario described Repainting and substrate conditions where primer assists adhesion or defect control

Core function: Reduces steps by combining primer and paint functions in one product system.

Aerosol DIY coatings

Benefits cited Ease-of-use; applicability across substrates; decorative and repair use cases

Constraints noted Overspray, handling hazards, and need for clear instructions

Core function: Offers rapid application but demands safety and process guidance.

Packaging and online delivery (system-level enablers)

Packaging functions Instruction clarity, storage stability, waste reduction, ease of dispensing

Online features DIY kits and digital guidance (including color tools/consultation)

Core function Improves DIY success rates by reducing process ambiguity and logistical friction.

Quantitative indicators and technical constraints highlighted

The article reports market statistics indicating modest total-market growth alongside a comparatively larger increase in DIY volume, while professional (PRO) volume decreases. These figures are presented as consistent with pandemic-era demand reallocation toward DIY activities.

Market volume shift in the US (2019–2020)

Achieving one‑coat performance is described as technically constrained by coverage/hiding requirements and the complexity of binder–pigment–additive interactions. The review implies that performance must be validated against existing products while meeting consumer affordability and durability expectations.

Technology challenge in one‑coat systems

The discussion notes that hiding and coverage are more difficult for certain color spaces (e.g., bright shades and transitions between high-contrast colors). Multi-coat requirements may persist depending on substrate porosity and color-change magnitude, limiting universal one‑coat feasibility.

Coverage and hiding depend on color and pigment chemistry

While 2‑in‑1 systems reduce workflow steps, the review indicates substrate conditions can still necessitate primer-like performance to prevent cracking, peeling, or chalking, especially on unprimed or problematic substrates.