A paint bucket may convert a dull, drab room into a bright, inviting one. It can enhance a place, highlight an area, help in room redesign or heighten a room. It is the most affordable approach to customise a room in numerous colours and themes. You can drastically change a room with the appropriate furnishings and accents. A fresh coat of paint is one of the simplest and quickest ways to update a room, and the results can range from a simple refresh to a total transformation. Paint can generate a mood or develop a style in design, whether as a subtle backdrop or by taking centre stage. More practically, it can widen a space, offer the illusion of height, and draw attention to specific characteristics. There are numerous ways to use paint and colour to accomplish a desired look, so a little thinking and planning may elevate your home painting to the next level. Here are all the things you need to think about while redesigning a space, with far more to consider than just which colour to choose.
01. Cover the Floor as Well as Any Other Furniture
After you have purchased all necessary supplies, the next step should be to cover the floors as a part of painting preparation. You may believe that once you have finished painting, you will clean up the floor; however, you must understand that a few materials are not ‘paint-friendly.’ As a result, it is best to cover the floor with drop cloths or newspaper before beginning the painting project. Protect everything with drop cloths or plastic sheets, including sofas, shrubs, beds, tables, decks, patios, and walkways. This will save you from having to do difficult clean-ups later.
02. Cleaning the Surfaces to be Painted
To ensure that new paint adheres to the surface of the walls, remove all dirt, grime, mildew, and chalky residues from the walls using a power sprayer. You can also do it with a stiff-bristle brush, which is more effective and faster. After that, remove all the nails from the wall and fill the holes with exterior-grade putty. You can now begin painting the walls directly over the previously painted walls.
03. Priming the Walls
Priming is an essential part of the preparation process. Primer seals the walls and provides a foundation for the paint to adhere to. Primer becomes even more critical after filling all the holes and cracks. The primer will prevent flashing or a shiny spot on the wall caused by painting directly over walls. However, the primer facilitates cleaning the walls, which is still a critical step. Some paints come pre-mixed with primer, while others do not. Before purchasing, check with your paint store for the specifications, including whether it’s pre-mixed. If the paint does not come pre-mixed with a primer, you must first prime the walls to cover up any existing stains, chips, holes, cracks, or colours. This will ensure that the top coat of paint adheres perfectly.
04. The Right Paint Selection
When choosing paint for your home, there’s much more to consider than just colour. Furthermore, various types of house paint can achieve multiple effects while protecting your walls. These are water-based paints. These paints can be used on exterior walls, but are best suited for interior walls. Their superior colour retention, fast drying time, and environmental friendliness make them ideal for indoor painting. They can also withstand moisture, which is common in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. Latex paints do not emit as strong an odour as oil-based paints.
Paints are classified into three types: distemper paints, emulsion paints, and enamel paints. Distemper paint is ideal for creating a textured appearance. It’s a low-cost house paint commonly used in Indian homes to whitewash the walls. It’s safe and straightforward to use, but they get stained, marked, and discoloured easily. Emulsion paint has a rich appearance and a long lifespan. You can remove the stains easily with a damp cloth dipped in a soap solution. It is a popular choice for families with children and pets. Enamel paint has a long life and a variety of glossy effects. Enamel is one of the most expensive types of Indian house paint. It is stain and water-resistant and can also be used on metal and wooden surfaces.
05. Look at the Lighting Considerations in the Room
The amount and quality of light in a room are essential factors to consider when selecting a paint colour. Pale colours will help to enhance the bright and airy appearance of rooms with large windows that receive a lot of natural light.
06. Quality Paint Tools are Must
Prioritising product quality over price is crucial. Opting for a brush that doesn’t leave visible strokes or paint that doesn’t fade quickly is essential. Although a high-quality product may have a higher cost, it will outlast a cheaper, lower-quality alternative, potentially requiring repainting within a year. Selecting the correct tools for home painting can make a significant difference in the long run.
07. Techniques of Painter
Always paint your wall from top to bottom. Starting at the top and working your way down is excellent advice for home painters. Paint from one wet surface to another to prevent lap spots. If not possible, paint on a previously painted and dried surface. Also, use a roller after brushing for a smooth, flat finish. You require patience when painting the house. Waiting for a single coat to dry is exhausting. Applying another layer is tempting, but allow enough time for the first coat to dry to avoid mistakes in the final finish.
08. Colour Should be Mixed in Large Quantities
Once you purchase the colours, mix them in larger quantities at a time to ensure consistency throughout the room. When you mix the colours in smaller proportions, you will have to repeat the process multiple times, increasing the possibility of a quantity discrepancy, which could result in shade variation on the same wall. Mix the entire amount of paint for one colour at once to avoid any remixing and to ensure a consistent look throughout the room.
09. Weather Forecast Should be Checked
A person must exercise caution when selecting paints because not all brands produce paints that perform well in extreme heat or cold. Although most paints are weather-resistant, try to complete the job on a day that is not too hot or cold. Also, exercise caution when painting your home’s exterior during the rainy season so that it doesn’t get washed away by rain.
10. Take Care of the Finish You Select
When dry, different types of house paint produce varying results. High gloss paint finishes are more durable and easier to clean, but they tend to highlight flaws in your walls. A flat paint finish, on the other hand, will conceal these flaws. However, flat paint is more prone to damage. An eggshell finish is usually the best choice. It has some gloss, is still easy to clean, does not highlight flaws, and is not prone to damage easily like flat paint.
There are different types of finishes: matte, satin, eggshell, and glossy. A matte finish is ideal for concealing flaws on walls and ceilings; this non-reflective finish has the lowest gloss level. The texture is difficult to clean and requires touch-ups regularly. Satin and eggshell finishes have a silky, soft sheen that is somewhere between matte and gloss. It’s long-lasting and frequently used to adorn bathrooms and kitchens. The disadvantage is that it cannot conceal flaws. Eggshell is less complicated to apply than satin but provides a different smoothness. The glossy finish is the most reflective and long-lasting of the three. It is easy to clean and takes more than one coat of paint to achieve an even look.
11. Maintenance After Painting
A well-executed home painting job is only a part of the story. To make the paint last longer, it must be maintained. It is important to clean the painted surfaces with a mild soap and water solution occasionally to avoid stains, dust, or grime from becoming deeply embedded. Scrub gently and clean with a soft sponge or cloth. Check the walls regularly for peeling, flaking, cracking, dampness, and other problems.
Conclusion
Any home painting job is difficult for a beginner, but exterior home painting is more complex than interior house painting. Get professional help when you’re unsure. For a full makeover inside or outside, hiring a professional is the best choice.
Author Bio
Sabina : Sabina Yesmin Islam Assistant Engineer (Civil) Irrigation Department, Govt. Of Assam.
