By Jennifer Parris
Of all the DIY projects you can do around your house, painting a room is certainly the most popular. It’s a fairly small project with big results, since color can completely change the look and feel of a room. But before you break out the paint and start slapping color on the wall, here are some tips for painting a room like a pro. These steps can keep your mess to a minimum and make your painting project go a lot more smoothly.
Envision the Outcome
Painting a room might seem straightforward enough. You get some paint, brushes, and start working. But it’s a good idea to have a vision for how you want your room to look post-painting. After all, painting might just be step one in the process, and you might want to completely overhaul your space by switching up the furniture or other décor. So having an idea for how the room will look once the project is completed is important to ensure that you’re on the right track.
Pick The Color
What should be the most exciting part of your DIY project (the actual color you put on the walls) can also be the most stressful. Do you want baby blue, or a shade that’s slightly lighter? Take some time to consider what colors will work best with the room as well as the rest of your home. You can even purchase a smaller sample size to test the paint color on the walls and see how it changes from day to night before making a decision.
Know What You’ll Need
It can be hard to gauge exactly how much paint you’ll need for your project. Will one gallon be enough, or should you get two? One way to figure this out is by measuring your room and then calculating the amount of paint it will take to cover the walls. Because there’s nothing worse than being 75% done with painting only to realize that you need another quart to cover the rest of the wall.
Prep Your Space
Although you might be anxious to get the project underway and start painting, you’ll need to do some prep first. Start by pushing all of your furniture into the center of the room (or out of it, if you need additional space). Use painter’s tape and apply to moldings, window frames, and corners of the room. Skipping this important step means that you might have to redo part of your painting project, which definitely isn’t pleasant. And be sure to cover furniture and the floor with drop cloths, so that paint doesn’t splatter and make clean up even more difficult than it needs to be. Open all windows and doors so that your space is well-ventilated.
Prep Your Paint
If you thought that you could just crack open the paint canister and start painting, think again. Paint needs to be mixed well before usage, so get a paint stick (your home improvement store should give you some when you buy the paint), and mix the paint well. It will ensure that the paint color comes out even, and you won’t have lighter and darker patches on your walls.
Take Your Time
Although painting itself is simple, it still can be time-consuming. And trying to rush the process can only result in a subpar job, meaning that you might have streaks on your wall or parts that need more (or less) paint. That’s why you should give yourself plenty of time for your project. It might take a few hours for a smaller space, or a day for multiple rooms. Once you’re done, you can clean up by removing the painter’s tape from the walls, picking up the drop cloths, and removing any additional paint spots.
Painting a room is a fun and easy way to breathe new life into your space. Be sure to give your project the time and dedication it deserves so that you can admire your impressive painting skills!
