The holidays can be a quiet stretch for many workplaces. Offices slow down, stores shorten hours, and employee traffic drops off. That kind of downtime gives businesses a rare chance to take care of needed upkeep without the usual interruptions. For building owners and managers in the Tacoma, Washington, area, that quiet stretch can be one of the few times a full interior repaint is realistic.
Commercial painting often fits perfectly into this timeframe. With fewer people coming in and out, there is room to update tired interiors and prep workspaces for the year ahead. Whether it’s a full repaint or just refreshing scuffs and fading walls, winter break allows work to be done without getting in the way.
If you’re thinking about freshening up your space while things are calm, planning a winter paint project might be the move. Here is how we like to handle it.
Why Holiday Downtime Works for Interior Painting
Late December brings a stretch when offices, schools, shops, and other buildings tend to quiet down. Some businesses close fully between Christmas and New Year’s. Others might reduce hours or move work remote for a few days. Whatever the setup, having fewer people in the space makes indoor work much easier.
Here is why that helps with interior painting:
• Empty rooms mean better access to walls, ceilings, and trim that might be blocked or busy during the workday
• Paint crews do not need to work around meetings, foot traffic, or open business hours
• There is less pressure to rush, allowing crews to focus on clean, steady progress
• Touch-ups and final walkthroughs are easier to schedule without disrupting your staff or customers
This kind of quiet timing leads to faster work and a smoother outcome. It is a smart way to check off a big task before the new year kicks in.
What to Tackle with a Commercial Interior Paint Project
The downtime is not just a good time. It is also a good opportunity to be strategic about what gets painted. Some areas tend to collect more wear than others and show signs of age sooner. These are great spots to focus on:
• Entryways and lobbies see daily traffic and often serve as first impressions
• Hallways and stairwells get bumped, scraped, and touched constantly
• Conference rooms or shared meeting spaces can feel dull or outdated with worn paint
• Staff break rooms or kitchens usually need a quick refresh after a year of steady use
• Individual offices might benefit from a lighter color or cleaner look as routines change
It is often easier to take notice of paint issues once the foot traffic slows down. Using this time to repaint areas that have been put off all year can create a noticeable lift without needing major renovations. If areas need drywall repair or texturing at the same time, we can address those issues alongside interior painting so the finish looks uniform.
Planning Ahead to Avoid Snags
The main key to a successful holiday paint job is simple planning. Since this window can be short for some businesses, it is best to think ahead so nothing gets overlooked.
Here are a few things that usually help keep things moving:
• Confirm exact dates for work when access to the building will be open and safe
• Let staff know what rooms may be unavailable during their return or what work might still be left to finish
• Remove wall art, unplug electronics, and shift furniture as needed so painters can move quickly
• Test and choose colors early to allow for paint delivery and approvals
Getting everyone on the same page ahead of time saves headaches later. The smoother the prep, the faster the job gets done.
How Professionals Handle Holiday Paint Jobs
Experienced commercial painters know how to make the most of slow holiday schedules when timing is tight. The goal is to leave things clean, refreshed, and ready to go once the space becomes active again. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor with more than 30 years of industry experience and are an accredited PCA contractor, which supports consistent quality and safety on commercial jobs.
That starts with preparation, but the way the work is done matters just as much.
Here is what usually helps paint crews work efficiently during these jobs:
• Set up plastic sheeting and drop cloths to protect floors, furniture, and fixtures
• Use low-odor or fast-curing paints to avoid leftover smells after the building reopens
• Keep work areas clean throughout the job, not just at the end
• Communicate clearly about schedules, room access, and final walkthrough timing
Commercial painting projects move faster when trust and communication stay consistent. Everyone wants to return to a building that looks better than when they left it.
Fresh Start for the New Year
Getting a space painted over the holidays checks a big project off the list and brings back a brighter, cleaner look in time for January. That change tends to have a quiet effect. Employees notice the fresh walls when they come back. Customers see the polish. No big announcement is needed, it just feels better.
Instead of waiting for spring or summer, holiday break gives a chance to reset sooner. With the right timing, a fresh coat of paint turns downtime into progress and sets the stage for whatever the new year brings.
Planning holiday updates can benefit from scheduling a project like commercial painting during quieter times. We have seen how smoothly projects progress when work is scheduled during low-traffic weeks, and this simple move leaves your space looking fresher and feeling better for the next season. At Grit City Painters, we are here to discuss your needs and schedule work that fits. Give us a call to get started.
