Nothing feels better than freshly painted walls. A new coat of paint is one of the enjoyable do-it-yourself home improvement activities. It is very easy to do and does not require you to be specially trained for it. You won’t have to worry about any costs or anything that might go wrong. Any problem could be easily fixed with some touch-ups on the spot. All you will need for this task is some patience, practice, and some planning ahead.
By following some basic steps, you will be able to repaint your walls like a pro, and we’re here to guide you through it.
Plan the job
Planning ahead is always a great idea. The better you plan, the better results you get. Start off by deciding whether the four walls of your room will have the same color or not. It is becoming trendy nowadays to have three walls painted the same color, and the fourth wall painted a contrasting one. Other than that, start thinking about whether your ceiling also needs a repaint, or not to take it into consideration just yet.
Pick the right colors
The right color will vary from one room to another in your house. For instance, the bedroom is arguably the most important room in your home, since that’s where you get some restful sleep, which can help you become a more successful person in life. Experienced painters at Gsdecorating highlight the importance of picking the right color for your bedroom, as it plays a big role in keeping you calm and relaxed and may affect your mood throughout the day. It can be an overwhelming choice sometimes, but once you figure out the characteristics of the color that you want, you will find it much easier.
Prepare your tools and materials
Depending on the condition and style of the walls that you are painting, you will need certain tools. They are pretty simple and easy to find around. You will most likely need:
- Paint
- Paint roller
- Extension pole (for the paint roller)
- Drop cloth
- Paintbrushes (preferably in different sizes)
- Paint tray
- Sandpaper
- Painter’s tape
- Rags
- Putty knife
Once you have your tool set, you can move on to the next step.
Decide on the necessary amount of paint
Despite the general rule of thumb that states “one gallon per 400 square feet,” you will need to take other things into consideration. For example, if you are whitewashing a dark wall to paint it a lighter color, you will need some extra paint. Other than a dark-colored wall, if you are thinking of having a wall with rough textures, you will need additional paint as well. Buying a little extra won’t be a bad idea.
Protect the furniture in the room
Before you get any paint on your walls, make sure your precious items and furniture are all safe and covered. The last thing you would want is ruining your favorite sofa with paint. To stay on the safe side, push everything in the center of the room to be completely away from the walls. Make sure you keep them away for as long as your walls are wet. Here’s a pro tip: you can cover your furniture with a big sheet of drop cloth to avoid any spills or drips.
Choose the right type of drop cloth
Drop cloths can be either plastic or canvas. Plastic cloths are known to be a cheap way of avoiding paint splatters. However, investing in canvas would be worth it. They are more durable and hardly get ripped. Also, they cause you less trouble as you walk through. On the other hand, plastic cloths are not very practical, since they are very slippery and not as durable as canvas.
Prepare your paint
To prepare your paint, you need to mix it up to make sure it’s all set and ready to be used. A wooden paint stick will do in most cases. Remember that you will need to stir your paint again while painting your walls. This technique helps you get better results and saves you from many troubles that might emerge.
Choose the right painting technique
There is more than one way to paint a wall. You can start from the ceiling and work your way down to the floor with your roller. After that, you need to see how many layers you will need and start painting accordingly. For instance, light-colored walls will need more than two layers for the color to pop out. Most importantly, make sure you deal with one wall at a time to have a perfect finishing.
Freshen up the room
Ventilation is essential to any painting project. Make sure that the painted room is well aired out. You can do that by opening the windows and doors to allow for some cross-ventilation through the entire room. If this isn’t enough, you can try turning on a fan or two, depending on your room space. The more air you have, the faster your walls will dry.
Remove the painter’s tape
After you’re done with all the painting, start removing the tape. Be careful while doing this, because it won’t look satisfying if you peel some of the dry paint off your wall.
Clean around
The hard part is over, and your walls are painted. It would be a terrible idea to lie down as if the job is all done. Put the brushes back where they belong after cleaning off all the remaining paint on them. Try to store all of your tools in their actual packaging to make sure they hold their shape.
As previously mentioned, painting your walls is very easy and doable. As the famous saying goes, “All you need is patience.” This is what it is all about. Do not rush into getting the job done prematurely. After all, you are doing this for yourself, and you don’t want to end up with a messed-up paint job that you don’t like. Following these tips while working on a repaint will freshen up your house and make you enjoy every step of the task.