Wall Painting Tips to Make your Paint Job Easier
From choosing wall colors to the type of paint itself, there are many choices to make when it comes to wall painting. There are a few tips you can follow to make sure that your wall painting experience is a positive and attractive one.
Answering Two Common Questions
There are two common questions when it comes to wall painting and they have to do with the type of paint you choose for the walls. For instance, what type of finish do you want for your walls and can you tell the difference between oil-based and water-based paint? When it comes to oil-based paint, it is not the best choice for wall painting and instead is perfect for most wood projects. Water based paint is more versatile and preferable because it is easy to wash off, dries quickly and doesn't turn different colors due to age.
As far as finishes go, there are four main types - each with its own characteristics so you have to understand each one to make a decision. Flat finishes are great for hiding minor flaws in the wall as they do not shine or catch the light. Eggshell finish is a popular choice for wall painting as it lightly reflects the light, creating a cozy, warm glow.
Semi-gloss aka satin finishes are often found in kitchen and bath paints as they hold up well to smudges and stains. The gloss finish will be pretty and shiny and best suited for trim work and doors rather than painting.
Color Theories
When it comes to wall painting, one of the first questions to ponder is what to do when faced with a room that has a chair rail delineating two halves of the wall. For the most part, your wall painting below the chair rail should have the darker colors of the theme while the top part consists of a lighter color. This color scheme with your wall painting opens up the room and looks lighter.
So what happens if you complete a painting job and the color is a bit bolder than you like? The answer is that you can soften the color on the walls by choosing a light color to color wash the walls with the new color. Of course, you could repaint the room or apply a painting technique like sponging or rag rolling to soften the color of your wall painting.
A Final Thought
If possible, plan a day ahead in your wall painting schedule and take the time to assemble all of your tools and paints. You will also want to use painter's tape to protect the edges of doors, floorboards and windows from paint bleed-over. And unless you are into the monochromatic look, consider removing any hardware before wall painting so as to keep them clean from paint.
