The System
How the Color System Works
Four colors. Four sizes. One rule: grab the color, get the right cloth. Here's everything you need to know.
Step 1
Know Your Colors
Small
4×5 ft
Furniture covers, small areas, touch-ups, spot protection
Canvas or Plastic
Compact
6×9 ft
Smaller rooms, bathrooms, compact floor coverage
Canvas or Plastic
Medium
9×12 ft
Most rooms, standard floor coverage, versatile use
Canvas (floors) / Plastic (furniture)
Large
12×15 ft
Spacious areas, full-room floor coverage, large furniture
Canvas preferred for floors
Runner
4×15 ft
Hallways, stairs, ladder paths, entryways
Canvas (non-slip critical)
Step 2
Ask for It by Color
On a job site, every second counts. With our color system, you never have to say "the nine-by-twelve canvas" again. Just call it by color. Your helper grabs the right cloth without stopping to read a tag, unroll it, or guess. Red, Yellow, Green, Orange, Blue — that's the whole system.
"Grab me a Red"
Small (4×5) — furniture, tight spots
"Lay down a Yellow"
Compact (6×9) — bathrooms, small rooms
"Drop a Green"
Medium (9×12) — most standard rooms
"We need an Orange"
Large (12×15) — open floor, full coverage
"Run a Blue down the hall"
Runner (4×15) — hallway or ladder path
Step 3
Canvas vs. Plastic — Know the Difference
The right material matters as much as the right size.
Canvas
Woven, absorbent, and non-slip. Your go-to for any surface where people walk or set up ladders.
- Absorbs drips — stops paint tracking
- Non-slip grip on hardwood, tile, and carpet
- Washable and reusable many times over
- Stays flat — won't bunch under ladders
- Safe near heat sources
Best for: Floors, hallways, stairways, ladder areas
Plastic
100% waterproof and lightweight. Perfect for draping over anything you don't want touched.
- 100% waterproof — zero bleed-through
- Easy to drape over furniture and fixtures
- Lightweight — quick setup and removal
- Disposable option for one-time projects
- Tape-friendly edges for tight seals
Best for: Furniture, counters, fixtures, walls
Step 4
Room-by-Room Setup Guide
Quick tips for getting each room covered right the first time.
Bedroom
- Lay Large Green canvas on hardwood floors before moving furniture
- Drape Small Red plastic over the dresser and nightstands
- Run a Yellow runner from the doorway to the paint wall
- Use Medium Blue canvas in the center where you're standing to paint
Living Room
- Use two Large Green canvas cloths end-to-end for full floor coverage
- Drape Large plastic over sectionals and sofas
- Lay Yellow runners on any path between rooms
- Double-layer canvas + plastic in heavy-drip zones near the ceiling
Kitchen
- Always use plastic on countertops and appliances — waterproof required
- Canvas on tile floors only (non-slip critical near ladders)
- Keep plastic away from the stove and any heat sources
- Use Small Red cloths for individual appliance covers
Bathroom
- Primarily plastic in bathrooms — moisture resistance is key
- Small Red canvas on the floor directly in front of the shower
- Plastic over vanity, toilet tank, and fixtures
- Tape edges down in tight spaces — plastic slides on tile
Step 5
Safety Rules to Follow Every Time
Never Walk on Plastic Drop Cloths
Plastic sheeting on floors is a serious slip hazard — especially when wet with paint. Always use canvas on any surface where people walk or set up ladders.
Canvas = Non-Slip Floor Safety
Our canvas drop cloths lie flat and grip the floor surface, giving you a stable footing near ladders, in doorways, and throughout active work areas.
Keep Plastic Away from Heat Sources
Never drape plastic drop cloths near stoves, space heaters, or heat vents. Use canvas or leave those areas uncovered until appliances cool down.
Layer for Maximum Protection
For heavy-drip zones, layer plastic underneath canvas: the canvas grips the floor and catches small drips, while the plastic underneath stops any bleed-through.
Ready to Get Started?
Shop our room bundles or individual pieces. Presale pricing available now.