10 Designer Tips for Painting Your Home
A splash of paint is an easy way to update your interior. This guide will help you get it right
Jaana Bithell
22 July 2016
Colour has always held a special place in my heart. When I was about nine years old, my parents came up with the great idea that they would let my brother and I redecorate our bedrooms. So, off to the paint store we went to choose our new hues. I remember this moment vividly because I ran around picking out swatches and making colour combinations I thought were fantastic.
Had my parents known that they would walk out that day with a can each of Sunflower Yellow, Lime Green and Wedgewood Blue, they may have thought twice about giving us the ultimate creative control they did (sorry, mum and dad). A little knowhow can go a long way when painting – whether you’re choosing neutrals, pastels or brights, the same rules apply – so follow these rules to help guide you to your next colour triumph.
Had my parents known that they would walk out that day with a can each of Sunflower Yellow, Lime Green and Wedgewood Blue, they may have thought twice about giving us the ultimate creative control they did (sorry, mum and dad). A little knowhow can go a long way when painting – whether you’re choosing neutrals, pastels or brights, the same rules apply – so follow these rules to help guide you to your next colour triumph.
1. Be your own client
Before you start any home modification project – even something seemingly small, like painting a single feature wall – spend some time researching and getting a sense of what it is you’re trying to achieve as an end goal.
When people come and see me for design services, I always start by asking a series of questions to get a sense of what it is my clients are after. Think about what you would say to someone who is looking to understand your painting dreams. For example, what are you favourite colours? (think clothing); is there a feature (art work, for instance) you want to help stand out? How do you want to feel in the room? Give yourself a brief.
Before you start any home modification project – even something seemingly small, like painting a single feature wall – spend some time researching and getting a sense of what it is you’re trying to achieve as an end goal.
When people come and see me for design services, I always start by asking a series of questions to get a sense of what it is my clients are after. Think about what you would say to someone who is looking to understand your painting dreams. For example, what are you favourite colours? (think clothing); is there a feature (art work, for instance) you want to help stand out? How do you want to feel in the room? Give yourself a brief.
2. File images you don’t like
Use Houzz to gather images that inspire you and save them into Ideabooks. With your selection of images, write what it is you like and, equally important, don’t like about each image – watch out for patterns that emerge. For instance, you may find that your favourite colour for accessories is your least favourite colour for walls, or that the colour you dreamt of for the bedroom is actually perfect for the kitchen.
Use Houzz to gather images that inspire you and save them into Ideabooks. With your selection of images, write what it is you like and, equally important, don’t like about each image – watch out for patterns that emerge. For instance, you may find that your favourite colour for accessories is your least favourite colour for walls, or that the colour you dreamt of for the bedroom is actually perfect for the kitchen.
3. Measure your room
Before you even set foot in a hardware store, make sure you have measured the surface space of the area you’re going to paint. Each can will only cover a certain area (as a general rule, each litre of paint should cover about 172 square feet), so go in prepped and save yourself buying too much or too little … or the dreaded ‘repeat trip’ to the store.
Before you even set foot in a hardware store, make sure you have measured the surface space of the area you’re going to paint. Each can will only cover a certain area (as a general rule, each litre of paint should cover about 172 square feet), so go in prepped and save yourself buying too much or too little … or the dreaded ‘repeat trip’ to the store.
4. Go with your gut instinct
There are plenty of fish in the sea … of shades, and when it comes to love at first sight (especially when talking colour), it’s real. I am a firm believer in going with gut feelings – if you have always loved a certain colour, you will probably always love it (are you a fan of bad boy blue hues, for instance?). Grab the things that jump out at you.
Hardware stores and paint stores are great sources of inspiration with their vast range of sample paint swatches. Don’t be shy to take a bunch of samples home with you, that’s what they are there for.
There are plenty of fish in the sea … of shades, and when it comes to love at first sight (especially when talking colour), it’s real. I am a firm believer in going with gut feelings – if you have always loved a certain colour, you will probably always love it (are you a fan of bad boy blue hues, for instance?). Grab the things that jump out at you.
Hardware stores and paint stores are great sources of inspiration with their vast range of sample paint swatches. Don’t be shy to take a bunch of samples home with you, that’s what they are there for.
5. Always … always test first
I will always suggest doing a test pot before you take the plunge and paint an entire wall.
Before you even THINK about slapping it on the wall, find or buy some thick white card (an A4 size should be fine) and paint the card, NOT the wall. The white card will give you the best impression of the paint – and having it on a card means you can stick it to your wall and move it around to see how it looks in different places, and against different furniture. Stick the card to your wall with Blu Tack and leave for a couple of days to a week.
Take note of how the light affects it at different times of the day – in shade, full sun and nighttime under artificial light. Colour changes in different lights, and it could make you change your mind about what you’ve chosen.
By painting the card, it also means that if you decide you no longer like a colour, you won’t have done any damage that needs patching,
More: To paint or not to paint: Exposed brick interiors
I will always suggest doing a test pot before you take the plunge and paint an entire wall.
Before you even THINK about slapping it on the wall, find or buy some thick white card (an A4 size should be fine) and paint the card, NOT the wall. The white card will give you the best impression of the paint – and having it on a card means you can stick it to your wall and move it around to see how it looks in different places, and against different furniture. Stick the card to your wall with Blu Tack and leave for a couple of days to a week.
Take note of how the light affects it at different times of the day – in shade, full sun and nighttime under artificial light. Colour changes in different lights, and it could make you change your mind about what you’ve chosen.
By painting the card, it also means that if you decide you no longer like a colour, you won’t have done any damage that needs patching,
More: To paint or not to paint: Exposed brick interiors
6. Prep your wall
You’re only as good as the wall you’re painting on, so make sure you take all the necessary steps in prepping the wall for your new licks of paint.
Start by removing all picture hangings, pins, Blu Tack and nails, and patch all of the exposed holes. Wait for the filler to dry completely before sanding back excess. Once you’ve patched and sanded back holes, give the walls a wash with sugar soap or another similar wall cleaner, which will remove dirt, scuff marks and grime, along with the excess filler that you’ve used to patch those holes.
You’re only as good as the wall you’re painting on, so make sure you take all the necessary steps in prepping the wall for your new licks of paint.
Start by removing all picture hangings, pins, Blu Tack and nails, and patch all of the exposed holes. Wait for the filler to dry completely before sanding back excess. Once you’ve patched and sanded back holes, give the walls a wash with sugar soap or another similar wall cleaner, which will remove dirt, scuff marks and grime, along with the excess filler that you’ve used to patch those holes.
7. Apply an undercoat
Undercoats don’t only keep you warm in winter, they are also absolutely necessary if you are trying to paint a light colour, like yellow over a dark wall. They’re also necessary for new walls (especially plasterboard) as the raw surface is absorbent – the undercoat provides a barrier between the raw material and the final finish, which will save the amount of topcoats you need to apply with your final colour.
Treat any painting job as you would a fresh surface, and apply an undercoat before embarking on any painting journey. It will help make your colours richer, and save you time and effort in the long run.
Undercoats don’t only keep you warm in winter, they are also absolutely necessary if you are trying to paint a light colour, like yellow over a dark wall. They’re also necessary for new walls (especially plasterboard) as the raw surface is absorbent – the undercoat provides a barrier between the raw material and the final finish, which will save the amount of topcoats you need to apply with your final colour.
Treat any painting job as you would a fresh surface, and apply an undercoat before embarking on any painting journey. It will help make your colours richer, and save you time and effort in the long run.
8. Choose the right paint base
There are different paint bases for different applications and each paint base has a different formula that is specially made for the environment it is intended for.
For example, if you’re painting your kitchen or bathroom, choose a paint base that has anti-microbial particles in the paint itself, which make it more resistant to mould and mildew. If you’re painting externally, choose a paint base that is formulated to deal with UV from the sun, so the colours don’t fade. Ask in store for an expert to help you choose the right base in accordance to the area you’re painting.
Quiz: What colour front door should you have?
There are different paint bases for different applications and each paint base has a different formula that is specially made for the environment it is intended for.
For example, if you’re painting your kitchen or bathroom, choose a paint base that has anti-microbial particles in the paint itself, which make it more resistant to mould and mildew. If you’re painting externally, choose a paint base that is formulated to deal with UV from the sun, so the colours don’t fade. Ask in store for an expert to help you choose the right base in accordance to the area you’re painting.
Quiz: What colour front door should you have?
9. Always choose quality over quantity
When it comes to paint tools, spend a little extra on decent masking tape, brushes and rollers. Not only do high-quality tools make the paint last longer, but they will also adhere the paint to the wall better and are less likely to leave roller fibres and brush hairs on your walls.
When it comes to paint tools, spend a little extra on decent masking tape, brushes and rollers. Not only do high-quality tools make the paint last longer, but they will also adhere the paint to the wall better and are less likely to leave roller fibres and brush hairs on your walls.
10. Seek help if you lack confidence
If you’re not confident in making colour decisions by yourself, consider contacting a local designer or decorator; don’t wait until it’s too late. It is our job to help you visualise your space, as well as offer a different perspective and ideas that you might not have thought about.
The same goes for actual painting. If you’re not into DIY and couldn’t think of anything worse than painting a wall (let alone a room), there are plenty of professionals out there who will be able to do the work for you.
Find a home professional in your area
If you’re not confident in making colour decisions by yourself, consider contacting a local designer or decorator; don’t wait until it’s too late. It is our job to help you visualise your space, as well as offer a different perspective and ideas that you might not have thought about.
The same goes for actual painting. If you’re not into DIY and couldn’t think of anything worse than painting a wall (let alone a room), there are plenty of professionals out there who will be able to do the work for you.
Find a home professional in your area
TELL US
Are there any painting rules you swear by? Share your painting tips and tricks with us in the Comments.
MORE
To Paint or Not to Paint? That Is the Floorboard Question
14 Things You Never Thought to Paint But Should
Shady Business: How to Choose the Right White Paint
Are there any painting rules you swear by? Share your painting tips and tricks with us in the Comments.
MORE
To Paint or Not to Paint? That Is the Floorboard Question
14 Things You Never Thought to Paint But Should
Shady Business: How to Choose the Right White Paint
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White is good. It never fades, so when you touch up paintwork, it doesn't show. It looks fresh and bright. If you want colour, offset with rich wood furniture, bright pillows, glass vases in bright colours...
Don't paint a small room in a saturated color. It closes the space in and can feel encroaching.