Style on a Budget - Part 2

Paint

Painting a room is one of the easiest but most impressive decor changes you can make. You can make a small room look larger with lighter colors. You can also make a smaller apartment look larger by tying its rooms together with a lighter color.

Conversely, you can make a large room more intimate by using darker colors. A splash of color can brighten a drab space. Have a favourite rug or piece of furniture? Then you can use this as the basis of your decor and select a paint color that complements it.

Purchase your paint from a quality specialty paint retailer. National paint retailers have the latest colors and can instruct you on new painting techniques. Since they only sell paint, they have very knowledgeable staff that can assist you in finding the perfect color for your project.

How to paint like a pro

Select one or two dominant colors for your room. While the choice of paint colors is up to you, you can get the best results by ensuring that you:

1. Buy quality paint. Rule number 1:You cannot afford cheap paint! Why? The biggest cost of painting is labor. Yours or someone else's. Quality paint covers better, goes farther, looks better when finished, and wears longer. Saving a few dollars a gallon is false economy. Unless you are painting a kitchen or bathroom that will experience frequent scrubbings, use a quality latex paint. Latex paint produces fewer fumes when drying and allows you to clean your implements with soap and water rather than with mineral spirits, such as turpentine.

2. Buy quality brushes and rollers. You want to apply your quality paint with quality tools. Ensure you have the correct brush for the job. For latex paint, you want to use a quality brush that has synthetic bristles. For oil paint, purchase a brush with natural bristles. Purchase high quality rollers with the appropriate nap. Nap refers to the length of the fabric on the roller. In general, a shorter nap will produce a smoother finish. Don't try to clean rollers. If you finish a wall and need to stop for the day, use a fresh roller when you start again. By purchasing quality paint and applying it carefully with quality tools, you will be ensuring the best possible result for your efforts.

3. Don't skimp on preparation. Actually painting the room is the final step. The time you spend getting your room ready to paint will reward you with a much better finished look.

4. Don't paint over dirt. Begin by washing the walls and ceiling with Tri Sodium Phosphate or TSP. This comes in powdered form and you mix it with a bucket of hot water. Wear rubber gloves and use a clean sponge. Sponge the room with clear water when you are finished. Don't skip this step, because you will be amazed at how much grime comes off from clean-looking walls.

5. Once the walls are clean, fill nail holes and any imperfections with drywall patching compound. Fill the nicks and scratches; let dry, then sand smooth. Always prime the areas you have patched before painting, otherwise the areas will show through as dull spots.

6. Remove or cover all furniture with drop cloths. Cover your floors and any baseboard trim before starting.

7. Take your time. One of the great things about doing it yourself is that you can work carefully and do a superior job. Relax, work carefully, and you will be amazed at what you have accomplished.

Continued on Next Page > Area Rugs