Is it getting to be that time for you, where you realize something’s gotta change and liven this place up a bit? Your go to, hands down idea is probably to take the weekend off and spend it painting a much needed room(s) in your home. As much as it seems like such a time consuming, tedious job, it can be a great DIY job to invest your time into even if you feel your painting skills are not up to par. Let’s look at some ways to turn yourself into a painting pro, and how to get the best results.
As with any DIY job around the home, having the proper, quality tools and equipment on deck is a must do before you start anything. To start, some basic tools you will need are painters tape, foil paint trays, paint rollers, and different size and cut paint brushes. Some optional purchases can include drop cloths, an extendable pole to attach your paint roller onto, oh yeah and let’s not forget the paint while we're at it. The great thing about some of these optional items is they can be found for a discounted price at your local thrift store or goodwill, and they will only make your painting experience easier. If you are having trouble deciding which brand of paint or type of tool you should purchase, don’t hesitate to ask a store associate.
Now let’s talk about the fun part, picking out the color and browsing different samples. If you are doing a complete new color, don’t just envision what the end paint result will look like, try to think about how the whole room will look when everything is done. Once you have a color picked out, think about what type of paint is needed for the room, high traffic rooms should use flat paint, while satin paint is good for corners as it is best at absorbing moisture, eggshell is a good choice when you are covering up imperfections, and glossy paints are a go to for surfaces like cabinets.
Now you’re ready for everyone’s favorite part of the painting process, preparing the room. It may seem like a drag now, but you will thank yourself in the end with an easy cleanup. Moving all possible furniture out of the room will allow you more space to work, placing drop cloths or sheets will be next to avoid any staining. Once this is done you should always clear out cobwebs or dust bunnies hiding in the corners of the room, and give your walls a good wash with soap and water, this will ensure the paint goes on smoothly and there are no imperfections in the paint.
With clean walls, you are ready to apply your painters tape around corners, edges, and anywhere else you don’t want paint, don’t forget to seal the edges as you apply the paint for the best possible results. You’re just about ready to start painting, but please note, prep work can vary based on the conditions of the wall and the previous coat of paint, these are just the typical standard preparation steps.
Once you have begun painting, ensure you are using the correct paint brush or roller. Angled brushes are made for use on corners, while rollers are used for larger areas. When finished, be sure to take care of your paint brushes, best case scenario we want to avoid them from looking like they’ve been left in the attic for ten years once they’ve dried. When your first coat of paint is applied, ensure your brushes are thoroughly rinsed and cleaned with soap and water, to hold their shape while drying, try wrapping them with newspaper.
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