4 key things to consider before you start painting a room
One of the best and easiest ways for making an old room look good and fresh again is applying a new coat of paint. But before you jump right into cleaning the walls and filling in any holes, there are a few things you need to do first so that your project proceeds without a hitch.
Start by working out the following details about your project:
- What type of paint should you buy?
Not all paint will give you the look or feel you want. Paint can either be water based or solvent based. Both types are available in a variety of finishes, such as glossy, matte, satin and low sheen.
Some types of paints and finishes might not be suitable for some surfaces. For instance, solvent based paint is not good for ceilings. A wall with imperfections should not be finished with a glossy paint. You should instead use paint with a matte finish because it will mask imperfections.
Water paint dries faster and it tends to have a milder smell than oil based paints. Therefore, if you want to do a quick paint job or if you have allergies, it’s better to go with water based paints.
Solvent based (also known as oil based/enamel paints) are good for high traffic areas because they are tough. Surfaces finished with enamel paint are also easier to clean. Such paint is also good for door and window frames.
Walls with imperfections might not do well with oil based or water based paints. Acrylic paint is better for such walls as it will spread on better.
Choosing the right type of paint should be a task you take seriously.
- What colour do you want your room to be?
Paints come in many colors and the colors also vary in shades. If you want a room to be bright, then you should go with bright colors because light will bounce off them better.
Darker colors are probably better for corridors or offices. If you are not sure how a color will look in your house, get a sample quantity from the store and test on a small patch before you buy a large can.
- How much paint should you plan for?
Talk to your painter to give you estimates of the amount of paint you’ll need. While you don’t want paint to run out in the middle of the project, too much paint might go to waste especially if you don’t have any other immediate plans for it.
- Do you have material for covering surfaces that should not be painted?
Paint can be very hard to remove, so you should avoid getting it on items and surfaces by covering them.
Tape over your trim, skirting, door frames and window frames. If you are painting window frames, cover the glass. Buy enough paper or cloth to cover furniture and floors. Also tape around sockets because scrubbing the paint off later will be difficult.
When you have considered and done all these things, then your painting project is ready to begin.
