pain tips

Painting the place you call home can be challenging, and requires commitment when you are planning to do it yourself instead of hiring professionals. On the other hand, it can be a very fun and satisfying experience, given that you have the time and passion for it. If you have recently moved into a new apartment and want to make it your own, painting it with colors of choice is the first logical step. It’s okay if you have never done this before; there’s a first time for everything after all. 

Don’t think too much

Painting an apartment is no rocket science, and it can save you a lot of money. If something goes wrong, fixing it won’t be too hard or expensive either. I cannot think of a better activity to do with family or friends; it provides time to bond, and learn new things about each other. Think of the apartment walls as a vacant canvas that can be converted into art through your creativity. The first and most exciting part is choosing the paint color or colors. Skim through all the lifestyle/home & living blogs or magazines at your disposal to know which shades appeal to you and/or match your apartment’s décor. 

Explore your Options

Some people know exactly what they want and do not budge from their vision, irrespective of all the practical suggestions tossed their way. Then there are those who cannot make up their mind because they are into multiple contrasting ideas. The profusion of shades in every color makes the decision even harder. 

In my opinion, every room should have it’s distinct personality, i.e. there’s no joy in painting the whole apartment the same color. You could choose different shades of the same color for each wall, or diverse colors that complement each other. Each color has a unique energy or effect, and you must choose what resonates with your own personal aura. Do you crave soft and feminine, bold and fierce, peaceful and calming, vibrant and uplifting, or something dark and rebellious?  

Create an Accent Wall

Once you are sure about a color or colors, you may have difficulty narrowing down to the ideal shade. The pragmatic approach is to get a few samples and swatch test on a wall at home. Most of the time a picture or digital representation does not truly dictate the final look of the shade chosen. Another awesome idea to make every room stand out is to create an accent wall. An accent wall is one of four the walls of a room that is different from the rest. For example, you may paint one wall (the accent wall) grey and the remaining walls white. You can also cover the accent wall with some elegant or funky wallpaper instead of paint. The color on the remaining walls should match or blend nicely with the wallpaper. 

When it’s finally time to initiate the DIY project, here’ the list of tools or equipment you will need:

  • Sand paper
  • Paint buckets
  • Paint rollers and extentions
  • Paint brushes
  • A ladder or two
  • A putty knife
  • Plentiful supply of spare cloths/rags
  • Painter’s tape
  • Several plastic containers/small buckets for mixing
  • Primer buckets
  • Commercial Paint thinner/ water (for water based paint)

Even Out

Before you dip your rollers and brushes in paint, ensure that you have a clean & even canvas to work on. Sand paper and the putty knife are used to remove any residues or old paint that may be peeling off. In case there are any holes in walls that you want to fill, you can do that with putty. After all that is taken care of, it’s time to cover the walls with primer. Using primer before paint is important as it provides adhesion, resulting in long-lasting color. 

Paint stains are Stubborn 

It is ideal if you are painting an empty house, but in case you’ve already moved in, a supplementary ordeal awaits you. You either take all your furniture outside the apartment or move it to the center and wrap plastic sheets over it. The floors shall be covered with plastic sheets too, edges secured with painter’s tape. The painter’s tape may also be used to shield anything along the walls that you want to protect from the paint; this includes switches, bulb holders, etc.

Dress the Part

Don’t forget to change into appropriate attire before getting to work. You don’t want to get paint on a fine dress or shoes. You may use plastic or latex gloves, and a hairnet to keep your hands and hair from getting dirty. While you’re painting, it’s best to keep your cellphone and any other electronics out of reach. You need to focus all your attention on the job and getting paint on your precious mobile devices would be awful. You might even suffer a slip and fall injury if you are not careful. Not to mention, painting your place is an activity that you need to enjoy with your peers/companions; any sort of distraction is prohibited.

Wrapping Up…

Once the paint can is opened, it will slowly thicken due to evaporation of moisture. Shelter the can, slowly add water/thinner from time to time, and stir with a wooden ladle to keep it from hardening. Bear in mind that too much of thinner can make the paint drippy and unusable. The number one rule of painting a room is to do it from top to bottom, i.e. you will start with the ceiling. 

After all your walls are covered with the first coat of desired paint, allow them to dry (preferably overnight). You can begin the next coat on the following day, and usually two coats of paint are enough. In case you are covering a dark colored wall with a lighter shade, then you might need an extra coat or two. On average, it takes about two days to finish one room, and there is no good in rushing it. Don’t forget to clean up afterwards and admire your hard work; I hope the project turns out as you imagined! Good luck!

Author Bio

John Adams is a lifestyle blogger who creates content focused on healthcare and personal well-being. He encourages readers to improve their quality of life by incorporating positive thoughts and actions. Blogging about personal opinions and life experiences makes him happy, and he is always open to constructive criticism.

By Anurag Rathod

Anurag Rathod is an Editor of Appclonescript.com, who is passionate for app-based startup solutions and on-demand business ideas. He believes in spreading tech trends. He is an avid reader and loves thinking out of the box to promote new technologies.