How To: Paint Your Home
Paint offers, hands down, the biggest bang for your home-improvement-buck. It has the power to completely transform a space and should be the first thing you evaluate when designing a room.
As with most things: if you have the budget to hire a pro, do. At a minimum, he or she will be more efficient. If that’s not in the cards, however, this is absolutely a DIY project most people can take on. You can do it! Here’s all you need to know to do your project well.
HOW TO PREP FOR PAINTING
This is my quick-prep checklist for painting a room. The steps are similar if painting a piece of furniture or smaller item. You can skip steps but I don’t recommend it! A little prep work will make the painting part of your project go faster and your final product will look better.
Protect other items in the room. Move all small items out of the room, shuffle furniture to the middle of the room (or to one side), and use a drop cloth to cover the floor. If you have a light fixture and will be painting the ceiling, cover the fixture with plastic.
Remove all light switch and outlet covers. I place them all in a stack together so I don’t misplace the screws!
Scrape or sand any loose paint. This putty knife will do the trick. If you’re removing wallpaper, you’ll need to score it, steam/spray it and then scrape it with a putty knife.
Fill holes with a drywall patch compound, scrape smooth with a putty knife and lightly sand. For cracks around trim, windows and drywall corners, try this easy-to-use acrylic-latex caulk, and for trim and doors, use Bondo. Be sure to give both ample time to dry - painting over patches and caulking too quickly will result in cracking.
Clean the surface. I always vacuum first (thanks to my furry companions) and then follow-up with a damp cloth. I will use a vinegar/water mix if I need a little more oomph. If using a chemical cleaner, ensure the surface is free of any residue before proceeding. Let air dry.
HOW TO PAINT YOUR WALLS & TRIM
Start with the trim. Don’t worry about getting a little paint on the walls. I like to tape off my wood floor and drag my drop cloth around the room to provide protection below my supplies and work area. Let the trim dry completely.
Optional: Tape the trim, windows and doors. Many will tell you this is a critical component but, considering the time involved, it is an easy one to consider skipping. I have had mixed results with taping. We’re in an old house with plaster walls, layers of paint, and sloppy caulking around the trim. It makes it hard to get my tape applied tight and straight. I have a relatively steady and even hand; this has been my saving grace, not taping.
Paint the walls by rolling the paint as close as you can to the trim. Then, “cut in” the walls - take your paint brush and fill in the space between the trim and where you just rolled the paint on the walls. (An angled brush like the one I have listed above makes this easy!)
Touch up the trim where needed.
Which Paint Sheen TO USE
Flat and matte sheens are best suited for low-traffic areas, ceilings or walls with imperfections. They are tougher to clean than their glossier counterparts.
Satin and eggshell sheens are my go-to for walls throughout the home. It is very can be easily wiped clean, softly reflects light and is most forgiving of wall flaws.
Semi-gloss is preferred for trim work and doors. It is easy to clean and reflects light for a smooth, polished finish.
Hi-Gloss provides a high-shine finish that is perfect for furniture, cabinetry, or ceilings where you want a little extra drama.
THE BEST PAINT SUPPLIES
Paint Brush
I’ve bought cheap ones, expensive ones, long-handled ones and foam ones. I’ll be honest, none made me a pro. But this one is at least comfortable to hold, easy to maneuver (thanks to its petite size) and quick to clean. It’s great for trim and “cutting in.” I’m a big fan and keep four on hand. Then I can rotate them through colors and washing without delay.
HIGH QUALITY Paint
I love Benjamin Moore’s vast selection of colors, which you can shop online with ease, thanks to their virtual tools. I also find their paints are easy to apply and offer great coverage.
PAINT TOUCH-UP PENS
Keep these on-hand with each paint color you have used throughout your home and it will make touch-up easy every time.
Painter’s Tape
I always seem to go through more tape than I expect and it’s my least favorite thing to run back to the store for; hence, the six pack. I like this one because it’s the right amount of sticky and, at nearly 2” wide, I get great protection from all the little drips.
Scotch Blue Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape (Six Pack), Amazon, $26
Paint Roller Covers
Here’s the thing about paint roller covers: they all kind of look the same but they definitely do not perform the same. Use a longer nap for textured surfaces and a shorter nap for flat surfaces. The good news, at least - these rollers are suitable for all paints on semi-rough to semi-smooth surfaces. So, they’ll do the trick for most walls and ceilings.
Paint Roller Frame
Not much to say except it gets the job done. Sturdy and strong so you can keep rollin’ on.
Paint Roller Tray
For $4, this can’t be beat. If you must, they have plastic liners, which make cleanup super easy… but oh, the waste! I prefer to let the excess paint dry in the tray and peel it out.
Canvas drop cloths
I used plastic drop cloths for years and finally upgraded to canvas. They’re not much more expensive, I love that I’m not throwing all that plastic in the trash, and I now always have one on hand. The “small,” 4’x5’ size is the perfect size - big enough to catch every drip but not so large that it becomes cumbersome in smaller spaces.
A Few Bonus Tips
Purchase paint in the smallest quantity that will get the job done. Half-used paint cans inevitably dry out, separate and will not be ready to rock and roll when you go to touch up next year.
If you’re color-matching across brands, be aware that the color may present differently. Using the same brand and sheen of paint each time will ensure your color matches with every future touchup.
Label your paint cans with the areas each was used in home. Keep a written record of all paint brands, colors, and sheens. Store it with your supplies and it will be ready for you when you need it.
After you pour paint from the can, replace the lid every time. It reduces the chances your dog will either 1) dip his tail in the paint on the lid, or 2) spill the entire can. (Learn from my mistakes!)