Paint provides an inexpensive way to make a dramatic change in the look of your space. The color and style of paint you choose allows you to personalize your space so that it reflects your taste and lifestyle.
Several modern tools make selecting a color easier. The ColorSnap app, color matching services, downloadable palettes and sampling allow customers to try out colors before making a commitment, according to the Sherwin-Williams website.
Instructions
1. Check with your rental or lease agreement to make sure that you have the proper permission to paint before beginning.
2. Select a paint. Consider the lighting in the room you plan to paint and how changes in the light will alter the appearance of the color. The Ask Men website suggests light colors for the illusion of a larger space.
3. Select a color. House Beautiful recommends dark brown to enhance the lines of modern furniture and rich shades of burgundy, red and deep indigo blue as pleasing to men -- along with any color invoking the spirit of gambling and other male pursuits. House Beautiful also suggests using favorite paintings as an inspiration for color ideas. Perhaps surprisingly, warmer pink, pumpkin and coral are recommended by the website, as are camel and a soft yellow, good for visually opening up small rooms.
Take into account your overall decor plan. A neutral white makes a good backdrop that keeps the focus on a display of colorful mementos and sports memorabilia. Neutrals serve well in rooms with strong furnishings.
4. Choose a paint effect. The Home Decoration.net website suggests a taupe color with a dark pinstripe effect, particularly for a stylish bedroom, while House Beautiful recommends stripes done in team colors, such as the yellow and purple of the L.A. Lakers. Such bold colors and stripes may be used minimally to draw attention to or dress up an area.
5. Consider the type of paint that best fits your needs. The Ask Men website suggests a medium- to high-gloss finish for the kitchen, as these have the capability to bear the conditions found in the room. The Sherwin-Williams website suggests oil or alkyd paints for high-traffic rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Such paints offer stain resistance, while latex paint is easier to work with.
6. Remove hardware that may be difficult to paint around. The Lowe's website suggests removing cable outlets and phone jacks in addition to outlet and switch plates. Specialized painting equipment may make it easier to work around some features. Take down any curtains and their hardware and wall decorations such as paintings and pictures before starting to paint.
7. Move furniture and other belongings away from the area in which you will be painting. Cover any furniture that cannot be moved or that requires extra protection, using a plastic sheet or drop cloth to prevent splattering. The Lowe's website reminds that a fine mist of paint may settle within the room as you work. Consider covering the floor, particularly if you will be painting with a roller or painting the ceiling.
8. Patch any holes in the wall using spackle and a putty knife. Evaluate whether the surface requires a coating of primer. Apply primer to any repaired areas and where you will be covering over a high-gloss paint. The Sherwin-Williams website recommends using sandpaper to smooth any rough or shiny areas. You want the surface to be clean, dry, dull and smooth.
9. Wash the walls with trisodium phosphate before painting. To wash the wall properly, the Lowe's website suggests you don protective gloves, wash from the bottom to the top, and then rinse with clean water and a sponge. Apply painter's tape to prevent painting over edges and borders. Tape around doorframes, trim and ceiling edges.
10. Collect all of the necessary work materials before you begin the job. Have supplies ready to clean up any spills or drips before they happen, rather than rushing to find the items needed to clean a spill before it dries.
Related posts
Colorful walls make a house inviting and interesting.When painting your home's interior, don't be afraid of brilliant hues -- decorate your rooms with a color that stands out. Think carefully when...
Architectural gems like this church show how adding color to a ceiling can create drama in a room.Most people paint their ceilings an unobtrusive white. It's simple, timeless and--let's face it --...
Sixty percent of the color that people see when they walk into a room comes from the walls, according to "This Old House" magazine. If you want to create a space that guests will never f...
Preparing your concrete floor before painting it is essential.Because your floors are subject to more wear and tear than any other interior surface in your home, painting a concrete floor is often...
Rooms separated by arches can be connected with the right paint colors.When space flows from room to room interrupted only by arches, a basic principle of design helps determine the wall and archw...
