Interior Painting Tips

Unless you are comfortable with stark, white walls―and some people are―you are probably going to give due consideration to painting the interior of your home.

There are several reasons why you may want to paint your home interior. Reasons like renovating your house, getting bored of the existing paint, want to enhance the ambience of your home, want the walls to complement your furniture and décor, want to try  'color therapy' to see if it works or you want your neighbors to envy your home interior are endless.

Once you have decided to paint, you have to come up with suitable ideas. That opens a whole new can of worms:

• What colors should you use?
• What color combinations will look good?
• What brand of colors should you buy?

• What interior painting techniques should you use?
• What kind of effects can you create?
• Should you do it yourself or call in the professionals?
• If you are going to do it yourself, how are you going to do it yourself?

It will be a good idea to visit your local hardware and paint store and spend some time there looking around. Look at different color samples, match color swathes, ask about different color brands and the differences between them, ask about the technical requirements and procedures to follow, and the equipment you will need to get started.

As long as you don't show up at rush hour, most hardware shop owners will be glad to assist you.

Painting a section of your missy's room in hot pinks is okay, but imagine the entire room painted with it―tacky in the daylight and migraine-inducing in the night! Don't go for colors because they are 'different'. Think if you are 'different' enough to live with them.

Satin, as the name indicates, have a distinct sheen and are one better than flat paints in being much easier to keep clean. Gloss and semi-gloss paints are even more durable. The former is used to paint doors, door frames, windows, window frames, wall trims, etc., the latter is used for painting bathrooms, kitchens, and places that require frequent cleaning.

Most people just use a brush and roller to get the color on, and that's it. Then there are those who believe in adding texture and depth. You can do this by wall stenciling, faux painting, rubber stamping, cloth stamping, and so on.

▶ In wall stenciling, you paint through design cutouts to reproduce the design shapes on your wall.

▶ In faux painting, you try to recreate the appearance of wood, marble, etc.

▶ Cloth stamping is similar; just put a cloth over your hand, dip into color, and start stamping the walls.

Take the appropriate precautions to protect your furniture, electrical appliances, and floors. Shift the furniture out altogether. If that's not possible, shift it to the center of the room and cover them with tarp sheets.

Remove or cover electrical fixtures. Cover floors with tarp sheets. Also remember to protect your eyes, skin, and hair. Use goggles to protect your eyes and wear overalls and a kerchief or cap.

Before painting or stamping, scrape and sand your walls clean. Strip away all old paint, wallpaper, and grime, patch holes and cracks, and prime your walls with a good primer.