Follow these easy steps and master how to paint your room effortlessly.
One common task for fresh DIYers and renovators is painting a room. This is because it looks inexpensive, hassle-free, and easy to fix should anything go wrong. However, you need to get prepped up before you pick up that roller. The following steps will guide you, so keep reading to learn what it takes to be the best painter in London.
1. Strategise your method
The result of your painting should be your focus. Bear in mind that you have more than 4 walls that may not necessarily have the same colours. Try painting an accent wall in a bold colour. Take a look at your ceiling as well; it might need a retouch
2. Choose your colour
What colour do you want for your room? Is it warm, cool, neutral or saturated shade? How about colour matching? Answers to these questions will reveal a picture of what you should do. Consider the existing furniture and how the hue will complement them. You can grab a few shades and test to see what it looks like in the room.
3. Select your materials and tools
No two painting may require the same tools based on wall condition and choice of paint. But you need the following:
- Paint roller
- Paint
- Drop cloths
- Painter’s tape
- Rags
- Paint roller extension pole
- Paint tray
- Paintbrushes
- Putty knife
- Sandpaper
Collect all these important tools before you begin.
4. Estimate how much paint you’ll need
Be it the exterior of your home or a powder room you’re painting, the general rule is one gallon per 400 square feet. But to be more accurate, especially when handling a bigger painting project, you’ll need a paint calculator.
If you’re planning to whitewash a charcoal-grey wall, extra paint will be needed when switching from dark to light. Deep colours require more layers of paint than lighter colours. It’s recommended you apply a grey-tinted primer to the wall before rubbing in the saturated colour. This reduces the number of applications. For highly textured surfaces, get a little extra paint. In all, do the maths of the paint you need before stepping out to the store.
5. Prep the room and walls
To avoid damaging your beautiful furnishing, remove them from the room before painting or push everything to the centre of the room and cover with a drop cloth. Do the same for the floor. Tape the edges of the room’s corners, base, and crown mouldings, and window and door casing with painter’s tape. Protect light switch covers with painter’s tape and remove outlet to avoid paint drips. You can skip taping if your hands are steady and skilful.
6. Mix your paint
Stir the tin of paint with a wooden stick now and then as you paint. Should you be using more than one gallon of paint, mix the tins into a big bucket in case there is a change in colour. Ensure you mix your paint on time and regularly.
7. Choose your technique of painting
Decide what strategy to use before getting started. Start with the ceiling and work your way from the top of the room down. If you want a bold focal wall, paint the adjoining light colour walls first. Don’t be scared if the paint flows down to your pre-planned accent wall; the dark hue will cover up the lighter colour.
When the lighter walls dry up, tape off that edge to prevent the dark hue from bleeding into the new paint. Should you want to paint a dark wall with a lighter colour, plan on using 3 coats (your primer, and two coats of the new colour to see that nothing is revealed. When using a roller, apply the paint in a W pattern.
8. Remember ventilation
Open windows and use fans in the space you’re painting. It speeds up the drying process. But if the day is damp, it may take more time for the paint to get dried
9. Clean up
After doing multiple coats, ensure you take out all the painter’s tape and drop cloths. Spills or splatters should be dry before you move them. For water-based paint, clean brushes with soapy water. For oil paint, white spirit would clean the brushes.
10. Create enough time
Plan more time for the painting project than it would take. The amount of time you will spend depends on the room size, your skillset, and how you’re painting. Some painting may take a few hours or several days for others. Factor cleanup and prep into your time estimation.
Paint Works London provides quality interior design and architectural works for shops, homes, products, art, and cultural events. You can connect with us today for more information concerning painting and all there is to it.
