Ready to give a room (or your whole house) a low-cost but high-impact makeover? Paint is your best friend! There are few things that can make as dramatic of a difference as can paint – and it’s almost instant gratification.
If you’re ready for a change, and you’re ready to DIY it, here are some things to keep in mind before, during and after your transformation:
COLOR
Color can have an incredible impact on our mood! When the colors in a room are out of sync with one another, it can be subconsciously disturbing. Be sure to pay attention to the color of the fixed elements in the room (hardwood floors, cabinets, large furniture pieces that will remain, etc.) before choosing a color. Speaking of choosing a color, do you have any idea how many different whites there are? Hundreds! Some are cool, some are warm, some have pink, or blue, or yellow in them…you get the drift. Once you’ve decided on a color, get a small amount so that you can paint a sample before fully committing to it. I often suggest painting a large piece of poster board or foam core with your selected color and placing it in different areas at different times of day to see how you like it.
SHEEN
There are a multitude of paint finishes and it’s essential to make sure you’re using the proper one for your project. In my opinion, flat paint should only be used on ceilings. This is because the finish from flat paint shows every imperfection and is difficult to clean. For walls, you generally want an eggshell or satin finish, but be sure to use semi-gloss on trim, doors and in the bathroom. High-gloss can be used in really high-traffic areas. Also, while most interior paint is water-based, if you’re painting over existing oil-based paint, you’ll need to use the same type of paint (or it will just peel off.)
PREPARATION
Take it from me – you WILL NOT waste time doing very thorough prep. Be sure to mask any areas that you don’t want painted (i.e. windows, floors, etc.) and use plenty of drop cloths! You may also need to prep the surface you’re painting by sanding and/or cleaning. Priming is another step you do not want to skip. It may seem like extra work, but if the previous color was a bright color, priming the surface is crucial. You really don’t want to paint an entire room only to discover that the green that was there before is influencing your new color in a displeasing way.
QUALITY
While paint is comparatively inexpensive (as far as home improvement projects go), don’t skimp on the quality. Be sure to do research and use high-quality and long-lasting products, including rollers and brushes. You’ll be surprised at what a difference this can make! Trust me – you’ll need more cheap paint to do the same job as fewer coats of a more expensive brand, so don’t let price be your only judge.
Whether it takes an afternoon, a weekend, or a week – when you’re all done, be sure to sit back and enjoy your beautiful new space!