To a lot of people, painting a room is a good DIY project to undertake. However, there are a lot of things that can go wrong, and it is up to the person doing the job to ensure they take the right step to do a good job.
The following step-by-step guide serves a good purpose in that regard:
Planning the approach
Before you start off, you want to take a moment to think about the way you want the finished project to look. Think about accent walls, contrasting shades and finishes on the paint. It is during this step that you should have a complete sense of the room.
Choosing the colour
This is a very important step that you should devote your full attention to. First, decide the general colour characteristics. This means choosing between a warm/cool shade, or between a neutral or more saturated one. Consider your existing furniture and the way the colour of the room needs to complement that. Get samples of the few shades you choose and test them somewhere in a small area. This will give you a better idea of the way they will look. A lot of paint companies offer online tools, which allow you to upload a photo of the room and pre-view the way that different colours will look.
Choose the right tools and materials
There is a lot you will need in terms of materials for the job, apart from part. You will need lint rollers, brushes, extension poles, drop cloths, sandpaper, painter’s tape, a putty knife and a lot of rags.
Doing prep work
Once you have everything, it is time to do some prep work. First, you have to remove any large pieces of furniture from the room. Ideally, you want items out of the room, but if that is not possible, then gather everything in the centre. Make sure that everything is covered with a drop cloth, or a plastic sheet, to ensure paint splatters don’t damage the furniture. You can remove the light switches as well. Use the painter’s tape on the edges of the corners, crown and base mouldings. Don’t forget to also tape the window casings. Get a good seal so that paint doesn’t end up underneath the painter’s tape.
Mixing the paint
The best way to stir the paint is by using a wooden stick. Don’t forget to re-stir on regular intervals, because the paint can develop a crust. If you are using more cans of paint, it might be a good idea to combine them in a larger holder. The idea is that slight variations of the colour can be averted this way.
Employ the right painting technique
It is always good to work from the top to the bottom. Starting with the ceiling allows the natural flow of paint downwards to create an easier process. If you are painting an area with darker shade, you should first paint the neighbouring parts. Even if paint gets on the area, the darker hues should later conceal it. Always try to ‘cut’ a wall – first paint along the edges and the moulding, and then cover the main part of the wall. If you are using a roller, paint in a W-pattern, which is most effective and it also saves you from roller marks.
Ventilate
Painting produces a lot of heavy smells in the room, which can make your head dizzy. Don’t forget to ventilate properly, which also aids the drying process.
These are all good tips to follow when you have decided to go the DIY route in regards to painting.