A Fresh Coat of Paint Can Makeover a Room

Painting is the number one way to give a room an instant makeover. This is the perfect time to consider this home improvement / maintenance project for your home. Painting a room can give a dull looking, worn-out room an instant jumpstart. Not only will it give the room a new, fresh look but also it is inexpensive and fun! Here are some tips to make this painting home improvement / maintenance project go smoothly.

The number one thing to do is to prepare the room to be painted. Don't rush into the project without making sure the room is prepared for painting. Some key painting preparations include:

*Clean the surfaces to be painted - first remove dust then wipe it down with water (you can add some soap just be sure it's rinsed afterwards).

*Be sure to fill any holes, cracks, or other imperfections with putty then sand it down to a smooth surface.

*The next step is to remove electrical cover plates for switches and outlets, remove doorknob and strike plate, and remove window hardware (if necessary).

*Be sure to protect lighting fixtures or remove them, tape off the edging of the walls and baseboards, protect furniture with plastic drop cloth (or remove from room), and protect the floor with a plastic drop cloth.
Once the room is prepared you are one step closer to having your room makeover done!

Preparation of painting materials and paint is the next step. Top quality interior paint is worth the investment. Not only is does it go on better than cheaper paint but it also lasts longer. High quality paint resists yellowing, fading, and staining. Often a single coat of top quality paint is all that is necessary, which saves on time, money and energy! Of course, if you are going to invest in high quality paint, it only makes sense to apply it with high quality brushes and rollers. It will make the paint go on better as well as make the job easier. Be sure to look for brushes with bristles that are tightly packed. This extra investment will make your home improvement / maintenance project go smoother!

Now that the room is prepared, it can be painted. The first order of business is priming (if you are going to prime paint). First apply primer to the ceiling then to the walls and trim. Let the primer dry. Now you can start painting. Paint the ceiling first. Next paint the walls followed by the baseboard trim. Move on to paint the door and door trim. The windows should be painted last.

By following these simple tips your painting efforts will go a lot smoother and your home improvement / maintenance project will be completed in no time. Remember when painting a room you are giving it a new personality. You are revitalizing the room. If you are looking to change up the décor in your house I would strongly suggest painting first then deciding if it needs something else. Sometimes people will go out and buy all new furniture when all a room really needs is a fresh coat of paint in a new color. Have fun painting!