DIY Tips: How Paint A Room

Are you thinking about painting a room, or rooms, in your house yourself?

Well, before you get started, check out the tips below. They could help make your project go more smoothly and help you achieve the best results, regardless of your experience.

First Off, You Might Want to Hire a Professional

It is important to note that painting a room can be arduous and time-consuming. If you have done it before, you already know the preparation required before using your paintbrush! So, should you do the D.I.Y or get a professional to do it?

When you factor in the cost of all the supplies and paint neede, as well ass the cost of your time, it is often more economical to hire a pro.

The hardest part of choosing which option works is knowing exactly how to calculate the costs. Too assistyou, you can useut Porch’s paint calculator to figure out what works for you.

The Painting Tools and Product Required

It pays to ensure you have what you need before you start to get a professional-looking result. The tools and supplies required include:

• Paint sheets (drop cloth) to cover floors and nearby furniture
• Old towels or bed sheets, or even old clothes to be used as rags
• Paint sponges, paintbrushes, rollers, trays, and grids
• An extension pole
• A latex paint respirator
• Safety glasses, painting clothing and shoes
• Ladder

The list goes on, as you may also probably need spackling compound, also known as putty, 220-grit sandpaper, floor duster, painter’s tape, primer, and paint, including test pots to try colors before committing to gallons of it.

Prep The Room

Okay, it’s time to get your hands dirty. The first step is to prep the room before painting it. Start by removing anything that will get in your way. If you can not move, cover it with a drop sheet. Remember to cover the floor, too.

Check for holes, dents, cracks, etc

The first action for preparing the surface is checking for holes, dents, cracks, and imperfections. Preparation time can be more than the actual painting time. A good prep job is the foundation of a professional paint finish.

Use filler and sand

With your spackling compound and a putty knife, you could fill in those imperfections, wait for it to dry, and then use your sandpaper to create a smooth finish. Next, wipe the walls using a damp sponge or a damp towel.

Remove dust

When the surface is dry, use your floor duster to remove dust. You’ll need to do this a few times before you apply the top coat.

Now remove anything on the walls, such as electrical faceplates.

Use painter’s tape

Use painter’s tape along all the edges of the walls if you don’t want to get paint on. For example, if the room has windows, put the painter’s tape around them, and apply the tape to the ceiling and the floor (or skirting board) so that you can paint the walls without the paint getting on these surfaces.

Then, put your drop cloth on the floor and cover or remove all the furniture from the room. Ideally, you want an empty room.

Paint the Room

Finally, apply a coat of primer and undercoat, followed by your top coat of paint.

Primer undercoat

No, using primer and undercoat is essential, as well as choosing the right type of both. For example, you may be covering a dark color or stain, so use a primer undercoat that covers the stain. You may need to apply a few coats until you no longer can see the color.

Top coat

Have you used your test pots? Remember to use them on a similar surface to the one you’re painting.  Plus testing the color in the room you’re painting allows you to check it looks with the natural light and when the room lights are on. This level of preparation gives you confidence that you’ve chosen the right color.

Which type of paint is best?

Wet areas, dry areas, high-contact zones, and ceilings all use different types of paint. What you use in a ‘wet area’ is different from what you use in a ‘dry area’.

Get advice from the store before you purchase the paint. Paint is a chemical, and scientists have designed it, so get advice on which paint is right for your requirements. Choosing a cheap paint brand is not necessarily the best move if you have wanted it for years.

The longevity of your paint job will depend on the type of product used for the room’s conditions.

• Flat: Ideal for low-traffic areas; hides imperfections but less durable
• Eggshell/Satin: Suitable for most rooms; balances durability and sheen
• Semi-Gloss/Gloss: Best for high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms; easy to clean

Did you know that between coats you can wrap your brush and roller in plastic wrap or cling wrap? This keeps the paint wet so it doesn’t dry out and ruin the tool.

Once you’ve applied the recommended number of coats of paint and it’s dried, remove the painter’s tape and enjoy the results!

Remember to clean your brushes and rollers.

Hopefully, the tips above will help you paint any room in your house just like a professional would.