Among the easiest ways to spruce up your place is to paint your interior walls.
A fresh coat of paint will make any room elegant and restored. But if you are not cautious enough, this home improvement project can become a nightmare.
A painting project does not require specialized knowledge and training. With a bit of practice, patience, and some advice, a room can be transformed beautifully in an instant.
Here are seven crucial details to remember when it comes to interior coating.
1. Prepare the surface
Preparing the surface will have a massive impact on the end product. This means moving the furniture, taping off the areas for sharp lines, protecting the flooring, repairing imperfections like cracks and holes, and removing door knobs and switching plates.
Prep work is not the easiest and most enjoyable part of a painting job, but it is one of the most crucial tasks. Besides, no paint will hide an unprepared surface.
For instance, you have to prime the walls. The primer will cover up stains and colors. It will also add a layer to let the top coat of paint adhere well, minimizing peeling and blisters. Today, reputable paint companies in Dubai and across the world offer paint with primers.
2. Compute the total area to be painted
Before buying paint, you must know the total area to be painted by adding all the wall’s square footage, including dormers and alcoves. Also, account for extra coats and primer. It is better to have some leftover paint and other related materials than to have an inadequate supply while doing the job.
3. Choose the right sheen
Sheen refers to how much light the paint reflects when it is applied, and it can have a huge impact on your walls. Paints with lower sheen absorb more light, while those with higher sheen reflect more light.
Picking out the best interior paint finish for your property can be a complex process. Your choice can highly depend on your personal taste and preference. When choosing the best suitable finish, you must know the coat’s amount of durability and shine. Generally, shinier finish is more durable.
Here are some paint finish options:
Matte
Otherwise known as flat, matte is the densest. It gives the most coverage to the ceilings and walls, saving you both money and time. But it is not easy to clean, so this is not your best option for the bathroom, kitchen, and child’s room.
Satin
Satin is the most popular paint finish, giving more sheen than the other options. It also provides a smooth finish, which is a great choice for family rooms, hallways, and bedrooms. But applying it can be a bit challenging – flaws like brush strokes and roller are common.
Eggshell
An eggshell finish covers flaws in walls and ceiling well. It is the best option for spaces without plenty of scrapes and bumps. It also works best with decorative spaces because it is easy to clean and offers a more stylish feel.
Semi-gloss
A semi-gloss finish gives a space a subtle shine. It works best for areas receiving lots of drips, grease stains, and moisture like the bathroom and kitchen. It can also be scrubbed, so it is an excellent option for doors, windows, and moldings.
High-gloss
A high-gloss finish is regarded as the most durable option because it offers a light-reflecting, ultra-shiny output. It is a great choice for rooms with heavy traffic like the bathroom and kitchen. Also, it is easy to clean. But because of its high shine, it can show every flaw in your wall.
4. Get samples and try them
You don’t have to guess how a specific color will look on your wall. You can buy sample pints that you can apply on your wall. By trying it out, you can easily judge how such a hue will look on your property. Spending a little money on samples is better than a vast amount on gallons just to find out it is not a suitable color.
Once the paint has dried, observe its pigment during the day and at night. You may be surprised at how different hues can make magic on your home’s ambiance and overall appearance.
5. Use an extension pole
If you have high walls and ceilings to paint, use an extension pole instead of a stepladder. It makes working at higher places a lot easier.
Get one that can be extended from 18-36 inches when painting rooms that have a 9-foot-tall ceiling. Also, go with a non-slip grip and metal core. Stay away from plastic handles because they are too flexible and difficult to handle.
6. Brush first before rolling
Brushing the surface before rolling it will leave a smoother surface. Using a high-quality brush, paint an inch out from the baseboard, ceiling, and corners. Then, use a roller to flatten out all brush marks that have exceeded the corner’s depths.
7. Clean up
Your painting job does not end with all the walls and ceiling adequately painted. You have to collect drop clothes and get rid of painter tapes once the splatters or spills are dry. Also, clean all the materials you have used, especially if you intend to use them again later on.
For water- and latex-based paints, use soap and water to clean the brushes. But for oil-based paints, you might need mineral spirits to remove them. Most importantly, dispose of all your rubbish properly.
Interior painting is one of the dreadful home improvement tasks. But it is among the most affordable ways to boost your home’s appearance.
With the right paint color that matches your woven vinyl flooring, your property’s interior design can be changed dramatically. Just make sure to purchase the most suitable paint from trusted providers who can also provide you with essential tips to ensure the success of your painting job.
Most importantly, take note of these seven crucial details before starting the job – you might even realize that a paint job is fun and easy.
Author Bio
Ralph El Eid is the Business Development Manager at COLORTEK – Wall & Floor Fashion. EQUIPAINT is the franchise owner of COLORTEK in Dubai (U.A.E.) and Doha (Qatar); an international paints manufacturer specializing in the widest range of decorative paints and seamless concrete & resin flooring, with a unique showroom concept, and thus an ideal destination for homeowners, consultants, architects, interior designers and paint applicators.