If you love DIY work, then being able to paint walls is an essential skill to learn and master!
It is a very affordable, painless, and easy process. Before just starting, you need to ensure that you have a plan of action in place. Below are 10 steps to follow which will ensure your process runs smoothly and that you will be happy with the outcome.
- Plan Your Approach
Keep the finished project in mind before you start so that you have a clear goal to work towards. You should also be creative and not limit yourself to only four walls. Play with the idea of an accent wall, opt for a bold colour or even highlight various mouldings in a contrasting colour to really make it pop. - Choose Your Colour
There are thousands of colours to choose from, so start by figuring out a general colour palette. Decide if you would prefer a warm or cool shade or if you want to compliment the furniture currently in the space. Once you have gathered a general idea of what you want, gather a few shades and get loads of samples to test out. Test the chosen colours and see how they look on the walls, in the sunlight and in artificial lighting. - Tools & Materials
Not all projects are the same, therefore you would need to buy the necessary tools to complete the project at hand. Some of the must-haves include paint, a paint roller, a paint roller extension pole, different-sized paint brushes, sandpaper, rags and a putty knife.
- Measure The Amount of Paint Needed
When it comes to paint, generally you should use one gallon (3.78 litres) per 400 square feet. Also, remember that you will need at least 2 coats of paint per project to get the most out of the chosen colour. - Prep the Walls and the Room
To protect the furniture in the room from mess and damage, you should remove all furniture out of the working space. If you do not have enough space to move furniture out, you can push all the existing furniture to the centre of the room, to allow you space to reach all of the walls and to move around freely. Ensure that you cover everything with old sheets or lightweight plastic sheeting, and don’t forget to cover the floor, too. Paint splatters! Use painter’s tape and apply it firmly to the corners of the room. Making use of a good quality sealer to ensure that no dirt, dust or paint doesn’t get under the tape. - Mix The Paint
Using a wooden paint stick, gently stir the paint, and continuously re-stir throughout the duration of the project to avoid ingredient separation. If you are using more than 3 litres of paint, you should mix all the paint into one larger bucket to combine the colour in case there is a slight variation.
- Pick Your Painting Technique
An important tip to follow – always work from the top of the room to the bottom, so you should immediately start with the ceilings. If you are after a bold focal wall, start by painting the adjoining lighter walls. Do not stress if some of this paint gets on the accent wall, as any darker paint will immediately cover up the light paint. Once dried, neatly tape off the edge to prevent the dark colour bleeding onto the new coat of paint. Tackle one wall at a time
- Ventilation
Ensure that the space is well-ventilated during and after the project, by opening windows and even using fans to help circulate the air. This will help to speed up the drying process!
Now you are ready to confidently take on your next painting project!
Read here for more how-to guides, tips and tricks:
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This article was originally published on:
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-paint-a-room-10-steps