Interior Decorating:
Painting the interior of a home can appear to be a daunting task, but with planning and preparation, it can be accomplished successfully. One of the first decisions you will need to make is what colour or colours you are going to use for your project. When deciding the colour scheme there are things to keep in mind such as if you are painting in order to sell, or if you are painting for your own decorating. If you are planning to sell your home or flat in the near future, you will want to stay with a more neutral palette of colours than if you are doing this for yourself.
The next decision you will need to make about your choice of paint is the finish type. Paint comes in many different finishes or sheens including flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and gloss and depending on the room or rooms you are painting, each has its rightful place in painting. Flat paint is best at hiding any imperfections and works great on ceilings. Eggshell or possibly a semi-gloss paint should be used in rooms that may need the reflection of light and the washability afforded with these finishes. Trim around doors, windows and baseboard as well as kitchens and bathrooms are usually painted with either a semi-gloss or gloss finish paint as these areas require more frequent washing.
Other supplies you will need include brushes, rollers, paint pans, ladders, tarps or other covers etc. When purchasing paint, paintbrushes and roller covers the thing to remember is to purchase the highest quality you can afford, quality in these items will definitely affect your finished project.
When you have finally made the decisions on colour, finish and type of paint (oil or latex based) and purchased your other materials you get to everyone's least favourite part of the project, which is the preparation. Move out as much furniture etc. as you can from the area to be painted, repair holes, cracks and other defects and mask or tape off areas as needed. Cover floors and other items with protective sheeting and gather all your supplies.
Start your painting with the ceiling, then the walls and paint trim last. When painting the same colour or close you may get by with one coat, but otherwise plan on painting two coats to get the finish and durability your project deserves.
Exterior Decrating:
When the weather starts to get warmer outside, you may realize that you can't put it off any longer. It's time to start that exterior painting job that you've been meaning to do. If you aren't the most experienced painter, or you just aren't confident in your abilities, you may need some tips or hints to show you the way.
If you have a hardware store nearby, make sure you utilize your resources. Many of these stores advertise free suggestions or advice. It's important to have the right tools and supplies and it would be a great advantage to get all of the tips you can before you make those purchases. Once you have all of the necessary equipment supplies for your specific project, it's time to start picking out your colours. Again, feel free to rely on your hardware store for help in this area as well.
The next step to tackling your project would be to find a point when the weather is still warm with the lowest chance of precipitation. If you attempt to paint when the weather is too hot, the paint will dry too quickly and show lines and result in an overall poor quality job. Without special formulated paint, painting in crisp cold or muggy warm weather would result in longevity issues down the road.
If you are working on a fence or shed project, be sure the grass is trimmed down low enough to access the full project and clear all debris. Once your area is completely cleaned, it is time to prep the area. Generally, you should begin working your way from the top of your project to the bottom. Depending on the material or colour of the project you are painting, you may need to utilize primer.
Once you are ready to begin the actual painting process, it's important to remind yourself not to rush. Work from top to bottom and pay attention to the small details. For example, when working on the exterior of your home, you want to make sure the colour changes between the shutters and the house are exact and clean.
It's important to stay focused and not let yourself get discouraged when working on large projects. Small mistakes along the way can always be corrected. With plenty of preparation and a good dose of patience, you'll have that exterior painting project wrapped up in no time.
Author Resource:
I have been a keen gardener for many years now but no one has all the answers. When I need help or advice I always call a company called Painter and Decorator London . So far they have given me all the help and advice that I have asked for, as and when I ask them for it.
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