If you’re in the mood for a new look in your home but don’t want to do any major remodeling, interior painting may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Painting is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to quickly refresh the interior of your home. The right color can make a small room feel larger or make a large, formal room feel warm and inviting. Perhaps more than any other design element, the color of the walls sets the tone for the room.
Before you start painting your interior, it’s important to take the time to select the right paint for the job to ensure you’re happy with the results.
For most homeowners, choosing the right paint color is the most difficult and often the most time-consuming part of the process. There are hundreds of options, even pure white comes in a seemingly endless array of variations.
To make sure you choose a color that matches your furniture, take fabric swatches to the paint store or bring lots of paint chips home. To get the true color of the paint, be sure to look at the paint sample both in outdoor lighting and in the room it is intended for.
Wallpaper from a bedroom renovation project by Renovation Experts. If you still don’t feel confident, a great way to be absolutely sure is to buy a pint of paint and make a big square test patch at eye level. Make sure the test area is in a place where you can get a good idea of the color and how it will work in the room. If there is another room nearby painted a different color, check how the two of you will play against each other.
Light colors or white will make a room appear larger. Dark colors can be very dramatic and create a feeling of intimacy. To brighten both the look and the mood of a room, opt for cheerful colors like red, orange, or yellow. Choose calm and relaxing colors, such as blue, green or lilac, for places like the bathroom or bedroom.
If your furniture is brightly colored, you may want to soften the effect by using a more subdued or neutral color. Although it can work, too much color is overwhelming.
The orientation of a room in the home should also influence the color. For a room on the north side of the house, use warmer colors, such as yellow, orange, red, or lime green. For a room exposed to the south, you can use cooler colors.
However, color is only one part of the overall equation. The gloss of the paint is equally important for a satisfactory final result. Low-gloss paint, also called matte or matte paint, is great for hiding small blemishes, but not so much for cleaning up. For high-use areas, such as the kitchen, bathroom, hallway, or kid’s room, you’ll want to use a semi-gloss or high-gloss paint for durability. Most people find that a high gloss paint works best for doors and cabinets.
Women painting their house with white paint. Before you make your purchase, take measurements of your room so you can calculate the correct amount of paint to purchase. A good rule of thumb to use is one gallon per 350 square feet. If the estimate is close, do not skimp on the amount of paint you buy, since you will always need more for touch-ups.
If you’re looking for durability, you’ll want to choose one of the better quality paints. Premium paint is more expensive for a reason: it applies faster, looks great, and lasts longer.
Before you start painting, be sure to do your prep work. Remove small furniture and place larger pieces in the middle of the room under a protective sheet. Clean the walls and repair any holes or cracks with caulk.
Although it may seem like a simple job, many homeowners choose to hire a painting contractor to ensure painting is done correctly. It’s so much easier than doing it yourself!