Five tips for taking the “pain” out of painting

Not many homeowners look forward to the task of repainting their home’s interior. Whether you’re repainting your entire home, one room, or a single accent wall, the task may seem daunting and you find yourself putting it off. Painting is one home improvement project that many designers say homeowners can do themselves to save some money. Painting doesn’t have to be painful, but to do it right you need to first make sure that you have all the right materials such as brushes, rollers, paint trays, painter’s tape, clean up rags, and drop cloths (to keep the paint off everything that shouldn’t have paint on it). Got that out of the way? Here are five tips to take the "pain" out of painting.

Lights on, lights off

A major mistake homeowners make is choosing a paint color solely by looking at a photo or swatch. It’s important to keep in mind that a color can look drastically different under a bright light or in a dark room so don’t forget to take into account how a color will look in the room you’re painting when the lights are on and when they’re off.

Timing is everything

Aim to paint in the late spring, summer, or early fall. Though the fumes from painting aren’t toxic, they can be overwhelming. If you’re painting on a warm, sunny day you can throw open the windows and open up the doors and get some fresh air circulating through your home while you work.

Prepare for everything

If you want to get perfectly straight lines and have a professional looking finish, you’ll want to do a fair amount of preparation before you even dip that paint brush or roller the first time. Use tape (painter’s tape is ideal) to mask off your painting area and ensure straight lines. Painter’s tape is designed to not let paint seep through it and it removes easily without tearing when the paint is dry to reveal a professional looking finish.

Make it fun

Have a family? Get the spouse and kids involved (just make sure the kids are painting somewhere near the center of a wall and not around the edges. It gives them a sense of ownership of the home and makes the project more fun. No family around? Invite over a close friend or two (just don’t be surprised if you end up with more paint on you than you otherwise would have). If all else fails, create a playlist with your favorite music and jam out while you work.

Revel in the results

There are always more projects to tackle but take a little time after completing the painting project, even if it’s just one room, to enjoy the results. Just sit back for an hour or two in your freshly painted room and give yourself a pat on the back.

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Source: themonitor.com/online_features/home_improvement/tips-to-remove-the-pain-from-painting/article_7f07a867-e0c5-50e7-a964-23945c4ecf39.html

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