While color choice is often front and center when it comes to painting, it’s the paint finish and application process that can make or break the look of your walls. Before you pick up a paintbrush or roller, take a look at these tips for planning and executing a successful painting project from start to finish.
Plan Color Around the Whole Room
Before you pick out your color swatches, consider how you want each room to feel – cozy or airy, subdued or bold – and how you want the space to flow into adjoining rooms. If your living area is open and connected, for instance, you may want to select shades that complement one another to avoid jarring transitions from room to room.
Then, when you’re in the Home Depot aisle or paint store section, consider undertones and how your color may look against your flooring, furnishings, trim, cabinets, etc. Remember that paint looks different on the wall than it does on the chip and may appear to change throughout the day, an effect explained at https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-fundamentals/how-do-we-see-color, so it’s a good idea to paint a two-foot patch on an inconspicuous area of your wall and live with it for a day or two before committing.
Prepare Surfaces Before Painting
Paint doesn’t cover everything – nail holes, cracks, nail pops, peeling paint, grease stains – so give your walls some TLC before you get started. Patch and sand holes and scuffed areas, wash away dust and dirt (especially around doors and light switches), treat stains, and make sure any problem areas are fully dry. Give particular attention to moisture problems, which could be a sign of something more serious. Cover furniture and fixtures with drop cloths before you get started to avoid accidental drips and splatters.
The best interior painting services, including those provided by Cleveland Ohio interior painters, follow a preparation-first standard that includes patching and sanding holes and other blemishes and washing walls and other high-touch areas to remove grease and dirt. They also include stain blocking where necessary and careful masking and preparation to ensure clean lines. Cutting in and other detailed work are always completed by hand with a high-quality brush to ensure clean lines and edges.
Factor in adequate drying/curing time before returning items to the walls/floor. Even no/low-odor paints benefit from good ventilation during drying. Leave windows slightly open when possible, use kitchen/bath fans, etc. Avoid putting up pictures/mirrors, sliding furniture back up against walls, etc. until the paint is completely cured (often a matter of days).
If feasible, especially if you live with a lot of people, consider painting one room at a time. This allows you to devote your attention to drying/curing one space before moving on to the next, which can help keep your home more functional during the project.
Match Finish and Light to the Space
Choose Sheen Based on Use
Flat paints, as covers on this page, don’t reflect much light and tend to hide wall blemishes well, making them a good choice for ceilings and walls that don’t get a lot of abuse. Glossy paints are more durable and easier to clean, but they reflect more light, which can emphasize bumps and dents in your walls. Doors and trim, which tend to take more of a beating than walls, usually benefit from a glossier paint for easy cleaning.
Account for Changing Light
Consider how the sun will hit the room at various times of the day and what kind of lighting you’ll have in the evening. Rooms that don’t get a ton of natural light could benefit from a light sheen to bounce more light around. Cool white lights tend to emphasize gray and blue undertones, while warmer lighting may bring out yellow or creamier tones.
Use Accent Walls Deliberately
Accent walls can be an easy way to add some pizzazz to a room. They can also be a great way to highlight a fireplace, headboard, or other focal point. On the other hand, if you’re looking to highlight architectural details, artwork, or furnishings, you may want to keep your color palette more subdued to keep the focus on those features.
Define the Full Project Scope
Before getting started on your interior painting project, consider which areas of your home could benefit the most from a fresh (or not-so-fresh) coat of paint. Note any problem areas, such as water stains, grease, nicotine stains, old adhesive, etc., which may require extra prep or treatment prior to painting. Consider whether you’ll paint ceilings, closets, doors, baseboards, trim, etc., as well.
Questions to ask yourself as you plan your interior painting project:
- What color scheme and feel am I going for?
- What sheen will work best in each room based on lighting, use, and my desired look?
- What needs to be repaired or treated before I start painting?
- What will need to be moved or covered prior to painting?
- What other projects are going on in the home that I should coordinate this project with?
