How to Paint a Wall for Green Screen and Blue Screen: Our DIY Home Studio Experience
In this article, I’ll share how we created green and blue screen walls in our apartment. I’ll explain the difference between the colors, which paint we used, how to apply it, and how to set up lighting — all based on our personal experience.
Why We Chose to Paint the Walls Instead of Using Fabric
When we moved into a new apartment, we wanted to build a real home video studio — with a permanent background that could be replaced in real-time. Foldable screens and fabric didn’t work for us: too much hassle, wrinkles, and constant adjusting.
So we just painted two walls — one green, one blue. Super convenient: sit down, turn on the lights, record — and replace the background right away.
What Is Green Screen and Blue Screen: In Simple Terms
Green screen (chroma key) is a technique that allows you to remove the background in a video and replace it with anything. It usually uses a green color.
Blue screen works the same way, but uses blue. The concept is identical; only the color differs slightly in behavior.
💡 Tip: Green is brighter and requires less light. Blue is softer and works better in uneven lighting.
How Chroma Key Works and Why You Might Need It
Video editing or streaming software “sees” a specific color in the background and removes it. That color is then replaced with an image or video.
It’s useful for:
- removing your room’s background and adding any custom one;
- making video lessons look professional;
- shooting sketches with virtual locations;
- using virtual backgrounds in OBS, Zoom, Premiere, etc.
Which Color to Choose: Green or Blue for Video?
Green screen:
- standard for studio shooting;
- bright and easy to key out with software;
- not suitable if your clothes have green on them.
Blue screen:
- softer on the eyes and skin tones;
- creates less reflection and spill;
- ideal for shooting in dim or uneven lighting.
✔️ Tip: If possible, have both options. We use blue more often — it’s more forgiving during quick shoots.
How to Paint a Wall for Chroma Key: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Choosing the Right Paint for Green Screen and Blue Screen
We use matte water-dispersion paint Dulux Bindo 7:
- Green:
30GY 34/600— slightly lighter than the classic greenscreen shade, works great with good lighting. - Blue:
70BG 24/380— gives an even, calm color that’s easy to key out, even in less-than-perfect lighting.
You can order a custom-mixed chroma key color, but we used ready-made shades from the Dulux palette — quicker and easier.
2. Why Matte Paint Is Essential
Glossy surfaces create reflections and uneven highlights. That makes it hard for software to cleanly remove the background.
Matte paint gives a smooth, consistent surface with no reflections.
3. How Many Coats of Paint Are Needed?
- First coat — light base layer;
- Second coat — solid and color-correcting;
- Let each coat dry for 1 to 2 hours between applications.
If your wall is dark, a third coat may be needed. We painted over wallpaper designed for painting, so no heavy prep work was required.
4. How to Properly Light a Chroma Key Wall
- Light should be evenly distributed across the wall;
- Use soft light — diffused sources, softboxes, umbrellas;
- The subject should stand 1–1.5 meters from the wall to avoid color spill.
Fabric or Paint: What’s Better for a Home Greenscreen?
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Quick to hang, portable | Wrinkles, shadows, reflective |
| Paint | Even, stable, looks professional | Requires one-time wall painting |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the most universal chroma key color?
Green is most commonly used, but blue performs better in poor lighting conditions.
What paint should I use?
Matte, water-dispersion paint. We use Dulux Bindo 7 in colors 30GY 34/600 and 70BG 24/380.
Do I need a perfectly accurate chroma key color?
Not necessarily. Ready-made shades from standard palettes work great with proper lighting.
Are two coats of paint enough?
Yes, for light-colored walls. If the surface is dark, you may need a third coat.
Conclusion
Creating a home chroma key setup is simple and doesn’t require a huge budget. With matte paint and a couple of lights, you can have your own mini-studio right in your apartment.
Want a home greenscreen or bluescreen? Just grab some matte paint and set up your lighting — it really works!