The single most popular home improvement project is painting.
The second-most popular? Painting again.
It’s safe to say, we all love a fresh coat of paint!
It’s not hard to see why—a new color scheme can completely transform your space and mood.
But it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing affair: you can refresh just one room or corner by giving it a quick makeover with paint.
Here are 11 tips to get you started:
1. Decide on a color scheme.
You’ve got many options when it comes to selecting a color palette, but a little bit of pre-planning can help ensure you make the right choice. Keep these basic steps in mind:
Consider what other colors are already present in your room and how they might interact with the new paint color. For instance, if you know you want blue walls, try out some different blues to see which one will look best on your walls.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match! You can add accent colors by painting pieces of furniture or artwork the same shade as your walls; accessories like throw pillows or lamps work great. The goal is to choose complementary colors that flow smoothly together from one wall to another.
If you’re unsure of what colors to choose, don’t worry! A little trial and error will take you a long way toward the perfect look. And if things still aren’t working out after all that planning? At least now you know how to paint over it!
2. Wash walls before painting.
Remove debris from the wall or surface you plan to paint before applying a single coat (like dust, cobwebs, and other gunk). If you can, wash the walls down with a mild soap and water solution.
Be sure to start at the top of your wall and work your way down; doing so helps remove particles that have settled over time instead of pushing them down where they’ll remain stuck on the wall for longer.
Washing walls before painting can save you time and money.
When you prepare for your project by removing debris, it ensures a smoother finish with fewer headaches!
Give it a try next time you’re ready to paint and see how much of an improvement this one small step makes in the overall look of your space.
3. Roll paint onto drywall in the grain direction, not against it for best results.
The idea behind this is that you are better able to get an even coat of paint on your wall when you apply it in one direction rather than go back and forth over a section repeatedly.
The first pass coats one side; the second pass coats the other side. This way, if there are any ridges or bumps from seams in your sheets of drywall, they will be more likely to show up on your finished surface because you’ll have hit them twice with fresh paint.
And as long as you’re rolling with gravity’s help (not against), those ridges won’t make much difference because they’re going to be covered by the next layer of paint.
4. Use a roller to apply paint onto ceilings and other surfaces with lots of curves or angles
There are many different ways to paint a ceiling, but one of the most popular is using a roller.
You can use rollers on ceilings with lots of angles or curves. They’re also easy to use and less messy than brushes when painting walls or other flat surfaces. Rollers come in several sizes (1 inch, 2 inches, 4 inches), shapes (flat, angled), and materials (foam, natural hair). If you have any questions about which roller might work best for your project, ask an expert at Home Depot!
A few tips:
==> Rollers should be dipped into the paint before application so that they don’t leave streaks.
==> Rollers should be cleaned after each use to prevent them from becoming clogged
==> The roller frame should also be cleaned after each use to avoid build-up.
5. Paint window frames and doorways last, so they don’t get covered up by furniture or fixtures while you’re working on other areas of your home.
Paint window frames and doorways last so they don’t get covered up by furniture or fixtures while you’re working on other areas of your home.
Dealing with trim is one of the most frustrating tasks for a do-it-yourselfer because there’s always some detail that needs to be addressed: caulking around windows, painting door trim, making sure all the edges are neat and tidy.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be such a chore anymore!
Here are three quick tips for getting it done right:
==> Paint window frames and doorways last so they don’t get covered up by furniture or fixtures while you’re working on other areas of your home.
==> Don’t paint over caulk that you will need to remove later. Instead, wait until everything is all painted, then go back and clean up the old caulk once it’s dried.
==> Buy a couple of gallons of semigloss paint instead of one gallon to save money on each coat. The sheen isn’t as crucial for trim as it is on walls, which helps prevent the extra cost of buying expensive satin or semi-gloss paint.
You’ll still be able to see pretty well what you’re doing when painting if you use a flat finish, but there are still cheap options available such as exterior oil paints or upmarket interior latex paints.
6. Wait at least 24 hours before moving furniture back into the room
Painting your walls is a great way to freshen up your room, but don’t get too excited and rush straight back into space with all of your furniture.
It’s essential to let the paint dry for at least 24 hours before moving any furniture back in. Otherwise, you’ll risk ruining anything that comes in contact with wet paint, like rugs and wooden floors—not to mention creating a huge mess!
The surface will still have some tackiness for days after painting (especially on smooth surfaces), so try not to move things around until you know it has thoroughly dried out.
Here are some more tips to help you save your furniture and other surfaces from paint-related disasters:
==> Remove all pieces of furniture from the room immediately.
==> Before you start painting, lay a drop cloth over any areas where paint might bleed through onto things like rugs or wooden floors.
==> Cover any furniture you are unable to move, like a piano, with sheets to protect them from paint splatters.
==> If the paint does get onto the floor or wood surfaces, wipe it up with a rag and then immediately wash it off.
7. Paint fumes are toxic: Keep children and pets out.
Paint is a dangerous substance. It can be highly hazardous to your health, especially if you have asthma or allergies.
When painting indoors, make sure to keep all windows open for ventilation and any doors leading outside. Seal up rooms or hallways if possible to create a dead-end that will help to contain the fumes.
Don’t make the mistake of using any fans in an attempt to pull the fumes out of your living space. All this will do is blow those same strong paint fumes into different areas of your home while also spreading dust and particles.
It is recommended that children and animals be kept outside the room for 24 hours after a thorough cleanup has been completed to ensure all fumes have dissipated.
8. If you’re painting in a high-traffic area, select an oil-based paint instead of water-based.
The primary difference between oil-based and water-based paints is that oil-based paints dry slowly, meaning they require fewer touch-ups.
This can be a good thing to consider in high-traffic areas because it will take longer for the paint to wear down.
Another difference between the two paints is that oil-based paints are much more resistant to stains.
For some paint jobs, oil-based paint is worth the extra cost and trouble because of its ability to withstand wear and tear.
It should be noted. However, that oil-based paints are incredibly flammable and have a strong odor.
In addition to being more resistant to stains, oil-based paints are also much more expensive than water-based paints.
If you’re unsure what kind of paint to use on a particular job, talk to a hardware store employee or visit an online paint forum.
9. Tape off baseboards, floor molding, and window treatments to avoid covering them with paint splatters.
As you are painting, anything that is taped will be cleaner.
If you don’t like tape, you will experience a messier job. Now you have to go back over spots multiple times, causing streaks or blobs of paint where there shouldn’t be any. This causes an unsightly appearance that no one likes. You had probably seen painting jobs when baseboards and windowsills were not taped and what they looked like.
When you tape, it is easier to complete your project more quickly and efficiently.
10. Paint top-to-bottom so that the first layer can dry completely before adding another one.
A wall should be painted from top to bottom so that the first layer of paint can dry before you add another layer. This helps in preventing brush strokes and other mistakes.
It will also make the wall more uniform in appearance.
Painting from top to bottom helps with clean-up, too.
When you paint gradually downward, you are less likely to leave dripping globs of wet paint. You can easily wipe them up with a cloth or towel as you go.
Upward strokes would be harder to clean off the brush and easier to mess things up.
When working top to bottom, begin in the farthest corner from doors so that splatter doesn’t hit the door jambs.
And most of all? Have patience!
11. Hire a professional painter if the finish is critical or if there are areas that need a more high-end approach.
Why should you hire a professional painter?
Some people feel that they can do their home painting, but that is not always the case. It may be time to hire a professional painter if the finish is critical or if there are areas that need a more high-end approach.
Why should you hire a professional painter? Here are some tips.
1. A professional knows how to deal with small details and imperfections that the homeowner may miss. They have experience, proper tools, products, and techniques to ensure that once a job is complete, there will not be any issues that will require additional attention down the road. This will save money in the long run because you won’t have to pay for touch-ups or fix minor problems due to a lack of knowledge on your part.
2. Professionals know how much material each area needs based on square footage and type of surface being painted: walls, ceilings, trim work, doors, etc. One coat may not be enough if they use too thin of a layer. This may mean that they will have to return to make the necessary repairs if the homeowner tries to do it themselves and over-treats an area or uses too much paint.
3. Professionals also know how long certain paints take to dry and have experience estimating drying time in certain conditions. If you are painting during warmer months, this is important as you don’t want the house full of fumes for long periods while the paint is still wet.
4. A professional can conduct regular inspections throughout the job to ensure that things are staying on track with high quality and attention to detail. This will help prevent unforeseen problems like poor artistry, damaging existing surfaces, and other issues from occurring.
5. They have the knowledge and know-how to choose the right products for your job that will withstand the elements over time and let you know when a new application may be needed to protect your home’s exterior or interior from wear and tear.
6. There is an experience in applying paint over other different types of color (i.e., latex over oil). Again, this comes with years of experience because using low-quality paints, like some do-it-yourself varieties, can cause issues down the road if not applied properly. Professional painters can guide what type of paint will work best with others already on the surface; they also want to avoid any possible complications with improper preparation such as mildew and mold, cracking paint, chipping, flaking, etc.
7. If you are doing exterior work like painting your siding or trimming out the windows with shutters, a professional will have experience handling tricky exterior projects that require care and expertise for a high-quality result, as well as advice on how to handle any potential issues that may come up during the project.
8. A professional knows which products can be done safely by a homeowner and when to call in the pros. They will also know where they can save money where it makes sense (to do quick patch jobs rather than total replacements)
9. Homeowners often don’t realize what it means to hire an authentic “professional,” which goes beyond just painting. Many people may not be aware that a true professional does more than slap paint on the walls. A true professional will ensure that the job is completed to your satisfaction and quality-wise with as little stress for you as possible (i.e., clean up, care taken with existing decor, etc.) The word “professional” is often overused these days for things like corporate executives or teachers. Still, it means someone who has earned their position through skill, technical excellence, and experience in their field.
10. Finally, there is an ethical component: In many cases, by hiring a professional painter, you are supporting small business owners who take pride in what they do; providing jobs to members of our communities; employ local workers who support other local businesses; and, have reputations to uphold through word of mouth advertising.
Wrapping Up
According to the National Association of Home Builders, interior painting is the most popular home improvement project in America. While other projects do significantly impact, such as installing new flooring or adding a deck, painting your walls can be done relatively quickly and cheaply.
A fresh coat of paint can also work wonders for the atmosphere in your home. A bright color can put you in a good mood, conjuring up memories of taking a walk on a beach or enjoying a sunny day at the park.
The best way to get the most out of your painting project is to plan and keep these 11 critical tips in mind.
And don’t forget, have fun and enjoy your new wall for years to come!