If you’ve ever spent time binge watching HGTV, you KNOW the one thing that’s an easy home fix is interior paint. It seems to be every real estate agent or interior decorator’s mantra: paint can be changed. Painting your home is one of the easier home projects you can take on as a homeowner. Yes, painting can be a hassle. Yes, painting can be expensive-ish. Yes, painting can take twice as long as you expected (it ALWAYS does–just get used to it). But painting your interior walls is the best way to change up a room, freshen up your look, and set the mood you want for your home. Here are some things to remember before you set out on your painting project.
- Prep Your Room
The most difficult part of painting is prepping the room. This is the part that actually takes the most time. But it’s important. An appropriately prepped room affects the quality of your final product, and also makes your life-while-painting easier. Here are the basics:
- Clear room
Move that furniture out. This is a sometimes overlooked step–just do it. You’ll be happy when you don’t have to worry about paint getting on your furniture, and it’ll make moving around your room easier.
- Canvas drop cloth
Paint is going to drip. Get yourself a canvas drop cloth to protect your floors or carpet.
- Outlets
Make sure you remove the outlet faceplate and tape over your outlets.
- Plug any holes
Grab some spackle and plug up those holes. It drastically improves your final look.
- Clean the wall
No matter what, walls accumulate dust and build up, and this can actually affect how well your paint sticks to the wall. Make sure you wipe down your walls prior to painting or priming.
- Prime
Priming your walls might not be necessary, depending on the quality of paint you buy. However, there are circumstances in which you definitely want to prime your walls: if you plugged a lot of holes, if you’re painting over a dark color, or if you’re painting a drywall that’s never been painted before.
- Don’t be Afraid of Color
Color has an incredible effect on your mood. Bring your room to life with a pop of bold color for bigger rooms with tall ceilings, or bright, vivid colors for smaller rooms.
- The Finish Matters
One of the questions you’ll be asked when you purchase paint is “what finish would you like?” Here’s the skinny: higher gloss is easier to clean and more durable, but highlights imperfections on your wall; a flat finish hides imperfections, but is less durable and harder to clean. You’ll likely land somewhere in the middle with a satin or eggshell finish.
- Purchase Samples
You know how we said to not be afraid of color? Well, be fearless but be smart. Purchase samples of different shades of color or different finishes and roll ‘em on your wall. See how you like the color and finish in the morning, afternoon, and evening light. This step is often skipped, but it is so important! Take the time to “try before you buy.” Even though you’re never married to a paint color, it is a major bummer to have to repaint.
- Tape, Tape, Tape
Yup, taping is the worst part of painting. The absolute worst. But just do it. Tape over the trim and ceiling lines and you’ll have so much less touch-up work to do.
- Brush Before You Roll
You’ll want to make sure to do the edges and corners, or anywhere the roller can’t reach, before you roll paint on. If you don’t, your edge and corner work will be visible and compromise the quality of your final product.
Painting is an easy fix that changes the look of the room and your mood while you’re in it. Another easy home fix that can change your mood? LeafGuard®’s maintenance-free gutters. Imagine how happy you’ll be when you no longer have to see “clean the gutters” on your Honey-Do” list.