Four Tips for DIY Painting

You have decided it is time to paint that spare bedroom. Maybe you are turning it into a nursery for a new baby on the way. Maybe you are just tired of looking at the old wallpaper. Either way, applying a new coat of paint can drastically change up the look of a room. But, before you run to the local home improvement store and choose a color of paint, keep these paint color and material considerations in mind.

Will the room need to be primed first?
Primer is necessary over materials like wood. The wood can soak up the paint and leave the color looking duller than you planned. It could also require you to need multiple coats of paint to fully cover all of the wood material. When painting over wood or other unique wall materials, consider using an eco friendly primer. It acts as a clear coat for wood. The ingredients of primers can be harsh and an eco friendly one is better for both air quality in your house and the environment.

Consider your color options
What color do you want the room to be? This question can be overwhelming because you will have to live with this color for the next few years. Think about the color of furnishings you will put into the room. Also, avoid choosing anything that is too bold or too dark, at least for all four of the walls. If you want to use matte black wall paint, keep it to a minimum by adding it to a single accent wall. The matte black wall paint will pair nicely with a more neutral color on the other walls. In a 2017 interior design trends survey, more than a third of respondents said they would choose a neutral color palette if redecorating their home. This doesn?t mean you can?t opt for a color matching accent wall.

When choosing a paint color, it is best to use samples. You might enjoy a color and how it looks on a paint swatch, but it often looks much different when it takes up the entire room. Many stores offer free or discounted paint samples. Paint a small portion of the wall and let it dry for a day or two. The color can also change significantly once it dries. This prevents you from having to repaint a room that does not turn out as you intended.

Calculate how much paint you will need
Most paint suppliers mix their paint cans in store. Even the smallest of variations can leave you with a slightly different shade of the initial color. Running out of paint will force you to purchase additional paint cans. It is possible that the new shade will be off from the other one. Calculating paint coverage does not have to be a science. Always overestimate, as it is not a bad thing to have extra paint lying around. If you experience any paint chips or cracks months later, you can always touch it up.

Always purchase high quality paint materials
It might be tempting to go with the cheapest paint choice. But, cheaper paint brands do not cover as well, requiring more paint. Additionally, they often contain harsh ingredients that can exacerbate allergies or smell sensitives. According to Sweden?s Dampness in Buildings and Health study, children with bedroom PGE concentrations in the top 25% (of the study participants) had a 100% higher chance of having asthma, a 150% higher chance of having eczema, and a 320% higher chance of having rhinitis. According to a recent report by CBC, VOC levels over 500 ppb could cause problems for people with chemical sensitivities. Make sure your matte black wall paint and anti slip paint are made with eco friendly ingredients.

Painting a room is one of the most common DIY projects. It is a fairly simple project to complete and can significantly change the look of a room. It doesn?t matter if you choose matte black wall paint, a neutral tan, or bright red, make sure you test out the paint with samples and always go with a high quality paint supplier.