Ultimate Tips for Painting A Room
Are the interior walls of your home looking a little dull? Maybe you’re tired of white or off-white walls and want to liven up things. There are a few things you may want to consider before you pull old stored paint brushes and rollers to start your interior painting project.
Interior house painting makes for great weekend DIY projects. The fall and winter months are a good time to take on this task. By the time Spring rolls around, your home can have a fresh new look.
Color trends change, so you want to know what’s hot and what’s not.
4 Interior Painting Tips Before Starting
Before you head out to the nearest Lowe’s home improvement or paint store, check out these 10 things you need to know about interior painting.
Tip 1. Don’t Be Afraid of Color
Color is everywhere, so why settle for boring when it comes to the interior paint color of your home? Be bold and daring and transform each room with its own unique theme. Or find a bedroom color theme that caters to your desired mood for the room.
You can even create contrast by using a satin finish in one room and a matte finish in another. Or you can stick with a semi-gloss on every wall. But beware, semi-gloss will emit a bit of shine.
The goal is to step out of your comfort zone and try new colors.
Tip 2. Let Technology Help You Choose
Don’t spend hours or days going back and forth to the paint store in search of the perfect paint color. Plus, those sample cards can often be off if the lighting isn’t right. Thanks to technology, you can now paint your wall virtually using color visualizer apps you can download to your phone.
Each app has its own feature. Some are from the makers of specific interior paint brands.
Tip 3. Measure Rooms to Get the Correct Amount
Don’t make extra work by running back and forth to the store to buy extra paint. You also don’t want to get stuck with too much paint.
Measure your room from ceiling to floor and corner to corner. You will also want to measure the size of both the doors and windows in the room.
Once you have the area of the space, multiply by 2 to cover the two coats you will most likely need. If you choose not to prime your walls, you may need additional paint. It is best to buy paint that already has the primer included. Do your homework to understand paint quality.
If math isn’t your strength, brands like Benjamin Moore have calculators on their websites.
Tip 4. Mix Gallons for Uniformity
Just because the paint you buy is mixed using the same formula, it doesn’t mean it will be uniform once applied to your walls.
To avoid this issue, get a 5-gallon bucket from your home improvement store and mix the cans of paint. In painting terms, this is often referred to as boxing the paint together. If the container does not come with a lid, you may need to pour it back into the original cans. Otherwise, you will need to get your painting done in one day.
The Process of Interior Painting
Here we are going to outline how to paint those interior walls confidently and methodically, avoiding unnecessary headaches.
Tip 5. Try Interior Painting Techniques
Interior house painting is no longer limited to a new color. Now you can use different techniques to turn ordinary walls into something spectacular.
Faux finishes allow you to incorporate the look of textured walls. The technique can simulate the look of marble, leather, or even wood.
Another technique involves painting with plaster to give rooms a Mediterranean look.
Tip 6. Use Painter’s Tape
In rooms where the interior paint on the walls will differ from the baseboards, you will need to apply painter’s tape. This will allow for smooth straight lines when you transition from the wall color to your trim. Plus, it will help keep the baseboards free from paint spatters.
Since you are not a professional, Painter’s Tape will also be needed around windows, doors, and ceilings. Wait for the paint to dry fully before removing the tap.
Tip 7. Clear All Furniture from the Room if Possible
Don’t ruin your furniture with paint. After removing all artwork from the walls and faceplates from light switches and electrical outlets, consider removing furniture from the room.
It may seem like a lot of work, but you will be happy in the end, because you won’t have to buy new furniture. In case removing furniture isn’t an option, pool everything together in the center of the room and cover it with a drop cloth, tarp, or plastic.
Tip 8. Protect Flooring with Drop Cloths
Let’s face it, accidents happen, and paint can get knocked or kicked over. Similar to your furniture and artwork, you also want to protect your flooring.
Interior house paint may be easy to clean from ceramic tiles, but it can ruin your carpet if not treated immediately. Eliminate the hassle and worry by covering your floors before opening the paint can.
Depending on your flooring, you can use paper, plastic, or drop cloths.
Tip 9. Allow Dry Time Before Painting the Second Coat
Before applying the second coat of paint, ensure that the first coat is dry. Interior paint may give the appearance of being dry. To be safe, allow a few hours to pass before applying the finishing coat.
Be sure to shake the paint before you start because the pigment of the paint often settles to the bottom of the can after sitting for a while. You also want to wash your rollers and paintbrushes in between coats so they do not harden from the drying paint.
Tip 10. Clean up as Soon as Possible
Your room isn’t finished until you’ve cleaned up. This means removing all painter’s tape, taking up drop cloths, and washing all rollers, paintbrushes, and trays.
If you have any unused products, return them for a refund as soon as possible. Remember, some stores do not allow mixed paint returns.
The final step is to return your furniture and accessories. Stand back and admire your beautifully painted room.
Conclusion
Interior painting can give your home a whole new look. Even if you don’t have the time to do it yourself, you shouldn’t put the project on the back burner. Consider letting professional interior painters do the work.
Contact us if you would like a free quote on your next paint project!
