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Plan -

Think about the project as a whole. You have four walls and a ceiling. They don’t necessarily have to be painted the same color.

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Plan -

Do you want to add a feature wall? Which one? Take your time to study the room you want to paint.

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Color -

Choosing the color can sometimes be overwhelming. There are just so many hues to choose from, so sometimes we just stick to white. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, here are a few tips on how to choose a color.

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Color -

First, decide if you want a cool or warm color. Take into account the room itself (e.g. bedroom), the furniture, floor, and lighting when considering this.

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Color -

Another tip is to choose whether you want a neutral or saturated shade. Once you’ve decided on these two, get some samples and see how they look in the room.

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How much paint? -

So, you’ve chosen your color. Now it's time to determine how much paint you actually need for the project.

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How much paint? -

The general rule of thumb is around 1 liter per 6.5 square meters, or 1 gallon per 400 square feet.

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How much paint? -

But you can also use paint calculators to have a more accurate measurement. You can try this one, or this one, for instance.

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When you’ll likely need more paint -

If you have a darker wall and want to paint it white, you will likely need extra coats of paint. Plus, you’ll need to apply a primer before you apply the desired paint.

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When you’ll likely need more paint -

A deep color will also require more coats than a light color.

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Tools -

The tools you’ll need depend on the project, but there are some basics you should have if you’re going to paint a room.

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Tools -

Some of the basic tools include: a paint roller, paint roller extension pole, drop cloths, paint brushes, paint tray, painter's tape, and a putty knife.

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Prepare the room -

The first step is to take everything out of the room if you can. Alternatively, try to push everything towards the center.

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Prepare the room -

The next step is to cover everything with a drop cloth or a plastic sheet.

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Prepare the room -

First, inspect the walls for any cracks, holes, and other imperfections that need to be fixed before painting.

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Prepare the room -

Use a putty knife to apply and remove excess spackling compound (or a similar product), let it dry, and sand it to make it smooth and even.

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Prepare the room -

Apply painter’s tape around door and window frames, light switches, and everywhere else you want to protect from paint.

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Prepare the room -

If needed, use a putty knife to seal the tape properly in trickier places.

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Painting technique -

Okay, now that you’re ready to start painting, it’s important you choose how you’re going to paint.

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Mix the paint -

It’s important to do this often. You can use a wooden paint stick to mix your paint.

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Painting technique -

Outline the room first. Use a brush to ‘cut in’ the corner edges, and frames, from top to bottom.

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Painting technique -

Do it from the top down. Start with the ceiling and move down onto the walls.

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Painting technique -

Once the cutting is done, it’s time to start using the roller. Use long strokes in a W pattern to cover more area and avoid roller marks. Once the wall is dry, you can apply another coat.

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Accent walls -

If you have an accent wall planned with a different color, paint the adjacent walls first. Make sure you tape the edges before starting to paint the wall, so the color won’t bleed to the adjacent walls.

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Ventilation -

Open windows if you have them. Using fans can also help circulate the air and dry up the room.

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Clean up -

After you finish, it’s important to clean up your brushes and rollers. If you use water-based paint, cleaning them with soap and water will suffice.

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Clean up -

For oil-based paints, you’ll have to use specific mineral spirits.

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Take your time -

Some projects take longer than others. Always take into account the time you take in preparing and cleaning up.

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See also -

How to decorate your home based on your star sign

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