One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to update your home is to give it a fresh coat of paint, especially if you are preparing to put it up for sale. From the kitchen to the bedrooms and every room inbetween, paint can either freshen up a space or give it a whole new look. Here’s a guide to get you started on the right track – a checklist of items you’ll need and preparation tips for a successful paint job.
Checklist of Items you may Need
- Drop cloths
- Paper towels
- Sandpaper
- Painters tape
- Putty knife
- Caulk gun
- Step ladder
- Extension pole
- Paint roller and roller tray
- Paint brushes – Use a polyester blend for latex paints and a natural bristle for oil-based paints. You’ll also want to have a few sizes; 4″ for large surfaces and a 2″ angled brush for trim and smaller areas.
- Primer
Preparation is Key
Before you open that paint can and start bringing new life to your space, there are a few things you’ll need to do:
- Remove the curtains, pictures and other wall decor, and the switch and outlet covers. Here’s a tip – tape the screws to the backs of the items so you can easily find them when painting is complete!
- Either remove the furniture from the room or move it to the middle and cover with a drop cloth. Then lay other drop cloths over the floor to keep it protected.
- Fill the nail holes, cracks, and other imperfections with caulk.
- Using a damp cloth, wipe off any dirt or dust on the walls, baseboards, and trim.
- Using painters tape, tape off any woodwork and other areas you don’t want painted.
- If you have a bare wall, you’ll need to use primer first. You’ll also need to use primer if the new color is much lighter than the current one.
Other Painting Tips
- To determine how much paint you will need, you have to know the square footage of the room. To do this, multiply the width of the walls by the height of the room. Then divide that number by 400. That will determine the number of gallons you’ll need to buy! Keep in mind that darker colors generally require more than one coat.
- Paint the ceiling first.
- Keep a record of the paint color, number and formula so you can easily have more mixed!
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