Burnaby painting

Choose colors

Choosing a color for your interior house painting seems like a pretty straightforward process. Well, it’s not. Remember that colors can evoke certain moods and feelings as well as change the perception of the rooms. Direct sunlight can change the look of color and the direction of the room can influence how much sunlight it gets. And even if you choose the paint color in the store, you should properly test it at home to really know how will your paint job look in reality. If you want to read more about the color selection process, read my blog about how to choose a paint color.

Get tools

Make sure to invest in quality tools so you can do a quality job. Good tools will last you for more interior painting jobs than just this one so you’ll be saving money. You should have various size paint brushes, rollers, and extension poles to reach those high-up places. Drop cloth, painter’s tape, trays, sandpaper, rugs, and putty knife.

Determine how much paint you need.

One gallon can usually last for 400 square feet but you should talk to the store about the specific brand and type of paint you’re getting. You don’t want to end up with too much or too little paint. You can also use paint calculator tools from Benjamin Moore or Pratt Lambert. The current state of walls can also influence how much paint you need for your interior painting as a new coat will cover better than an old one.

Prep the room

Remove all the furniture from the room before your painting project. If you don’t have additional space, move it to the center of the room and cover it with a drop cloth. Take down all the pictures and mirrors from the walls. Remove outlet covers and switch plates.

Prepare the wall

Clean the walls with warm water, mild soap solution, and a damp sponge to get rid of any dirt or grease. Use putty to remove loose or flaking paint. Sand the area with fine-grit paper. Fill cracks and holes with spackling compound. Tape off any areas you don’t want to paint.

Patch any holes with putty or spackle and sand them down. This will make the surface even and give the paint a better grip.

Primer

You should always use a primer, especially with a new coat of paint, as it will help the paint to adhere better to the surface and provide coverage. It will also save you money in the long run as you won’t need to use as much paint for your house interior. You can choose a primer based on the type of paint you’re using and the surface you’re painting.

If you’re painting over a dark color, use a white primer to make sure the new color is true to its name.

If you’re painting over a glossy surface, use a primer that will grip the surface.

If you’re painting new drywall, use a primer that will help to seal the wall.

Paint

Start by mixing all your cans of paint together in a large bucket. This will ensure that the color is consistent throughout the paint job. Work from top to bottom and from the corner of the room to the door.

Cut in

You should always “cut in” the paint before you start rolling. This means painting the edges of the wall where the roller can’t reach. To do this, use a small brush and paint a 2-3 inch strip along the edge of the ceiling, corners, and moldings.

Rolling

Once you’ve cut in, you can start rolling the paint on the walls. Use a W-shaped motion and make sure to keep a wet edge to avoid lap marks. Reload the roller often so the paint doesn’t dry out.

Second coat

After the first coat has dried, you can start on the second coat. Use the same process as before.

Trim

After the walls have dried, you can start painting the trim. Use a small brush to paint around the edges of the door and windows.

Ventilate

Make sure to ventilate the room while you’re painting interior walls. You will avoid inhaling the fumes and you’ll help the paint to dry faster.

Clean up

Once you’re done painting, make sure to clean your brushes and rollers. Use paint thinner for oil-based paint and soap and water for water-based paint. Store the paint in a cool, dry place.

You’re now ready to enjoy your newly painted room!