Painting Your Home Like a Professional

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andyhopskin543

13 Jan, 2015 10:09 AM

Whether you are painting one wall, or the entire house, painting can be a tricky task to master. From the time you are searching for the perfect color to when the paint is dried, painting is stressful, and a lot can go wrong. Painting can also be costly if a plan is not made beforehand. Luckily there are several ways we can save ourselves from the stress and hassle of painting our homes with a few quick and simple preventative steps.

Make the proper preparations

As mentioned before, it is always smart to start with a steady game plan. Do your research on what type of paint you want – glossy, semi-gloss, matte. Take your time searching through paint samples to find the perfect color. Do not be afraid to even paint the wall a bit to make sure it is the exact color you want. Take into consideration the décor that will be in the room. To avoid spending money on all brand new furniture and décor, make sure the paint looks nice accented with the items that will be paired with it.

Always use primer

Once you have picked the perfect color, never forget to use primer. But before any paint cans are opened, save your carpet, socket covers, doors and baseboards by taking necessary measures such as taping or covering them with plastic to avoid paint splashes. No matter how careful you are, paint will find a way to ruin whatever is not covered and protected. You might be tempted to skip the primer, because maybe your walls are already white, but according to the DIY Network primer is not only a cover up, but it also creates a smooth surface for the new paint. Before primer and paint, it is also a good idea to fill any nail holes with spackle and sand them down for an even smoother and clean surface.

Tools to simplify the project

It is important to know which tools to use when painting. It is natural to head straight for the paintbrush or general roller, but you will never regret purchasing tools such as an edge pad or different sizes of rollers and brushes to ensure clean lines and make sure that every part of the wall gets painted. Paintbrushes are great for small places that cannot be reached by a roller, or may need some special attention. Edge pads are great to outline the walls without getting paint on the baseboards when the roller gets too close. Rollers always make the paint look smooth and clean.

Watch the paint dry

It is best to apply the paint one coat at a time. Even though you are anxious to finish painting, waiting for each coat to completely dry will save the paint from streaking or peeling off. You do not want your white primer to blend with your paint color because it will change the color. So just be patient, it is definitely worth the wait!

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Source: diynetwork.com/painting/15-painting-tips-to-paint-like-a-pro/index.html
 
Tags: home remodeling, home renovation, home upgrades, home décor, interior decorating, painting a home, painting tips

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