Opinion

Interior Painting Tips

A lick of paint can transform the look of your room. Whether you go for a natural colour like cream, or you opt for a more vibrant choice like purple, the options are endless. However, if you decide to paint a room yourself, it can be difficult to know how to achieve the same professional standards you’d expect from a decorator. Below, we’ve rounded up nine of our top interior painting tips.

 

Buy a sample first

Buying a large quantity of paint without testing it on your walls isn’t the most sensible idea. Instead, buy a sample or small pot to test in your home – to ensure you like it, check out the room at different times of the day and test it against your furnishings to make sure it’s well-suited.

 

Measure up your room

To make sure you get the right amount of paint for your room, be sure to work out the square footage before painting. Experts suggest one gallon of paint for every 350 square feet but remember that some surfaces may need more than one coat.

 

Choose quality paint

If you want to paint any wall or surface in your home, then the best way to make an impact is to choose a high-quality paint, like the ones offered on Paints 4 Trade.

 

Choose the right tools

Deciding on the right tools for your painting job depends on what surface you’re painting and which paint you’re using. For example, a painting pad offers a rectangular foam surface to paint with, is less messy than rollers, and offers even coverage. However, it means you have to dip into the paint more often. A roller is the most common tool for painting walls, but be careful you don’t overload it and don’t press down too hard on your walls to avoid spills. Finally, paintbrushes can be useful for painting hard-to-reach areas, but be sure to dust it against your palm to reduce loose bristles.

 

Plan ahead

Never underestimate how long painting will take you. Even if the actual paint job only takes a few hours, it will take at least 24 hours to dry fully. During the decorating process, your room will be virtually out of bounds – be prepared to move furniture and deal with a messy home.

 

Prepare for fumes

Some paints have volatile organic chemicals (known as VOCs) which release toxic gases into your room. Be sure to buy eco-friendly paints with low or zero VOCs, and remember that solvent-based paints should be avoided during pregnancy. Keep your room well ventilated both during and after painting, to aid drying and reduce the number of fumes in your home.

 

Clean your walls

Paint doesn’t stick well onto walls that are dirty or marked, so clean them with soap and water before painting for the best results.

 

Cover your surfaces

When painting, it’s essential that you protect your surfaces. Remove as much furniture from the room as you can, and avoid using plastic sheeting on your floor as it is very slippy. Instead, use old sheets to protect your carpets from paint splats.

 

Fill in holes

If you have holes in your walls from dents or nails, be sure to fill them in before painting for the best finish. If you don’t want to re-plaster your room, you can use filler, also known as spackle, for a smooth finish.

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