Have you been looking at the walls of your house lately and thinking that they need a fresh coat of paint? Maybe you love painting and you’re relishing this moment, but if you’re like the majority of people, you probably find painting to be more of a chore. It’s often recommended that you repaint every few years, especially in areas that get a lot of foot traffic like hallways.
There are a few things you may need to consider before you pull out the paintbrush. One of the main ones being, whether you want to paint yourself or hire professionals.
The following are four key things to consider:
Do you want to paint it yourself?
Painting your house can be a huge job, and take a lot of effort. Perhaps you work full-time, and between your hours in the office and taking care of your kids, you don’t have any time to paint. The thought of squeezing it into weekends and weeknights may just be too much. If this is the case, it might be a good idea to research contractors in your area.
For example, if you’re in southern California, take a look at what painting contractors San Diego has to offer. Hiring professionals is likely to result in a higher quality finish; one you might not have been able to achieve on your own.
Perhaps you have the time to do the painting yourself, but you really don’t like doing it. This is another scenario where hiring a professional house painter may be the best option. Otherwise, you might keep putting off the job, and months could go by before you even think about painting.
What paint color do you want?
Before you can start painting, you have to choose and buy the paint. Deciding what color to paint the exterior of your house, let alone what color to paint each room, can be daunting. It’s best to think about the color scheme and the feeling that you want to evoke. If you’re thinking of changing up the color of your furniture, consider a neutral color. Whites and greys often go with a wide range of colors, so if you have a bright red couch or a deep purple rug, it will likely still match.
On the other hand, you might prefer to create a feature wall in a specific room, such as the lounge room. Feature walls can help to make a room pop and tie-in a color scheme. These don’t have to be just one solid color; they can also feature wallpaper or a painted pattern. If you want to avoid repainting as much as possible, perhaps stay away from painted patterns. A blank, neutral wall will never go out of style.
Do you have all the supplies?
Imagine that you’re about to start painting your bedroom. You’ve moved all the furniture and placed sheets over your bed to prevent paint from getting on it. You open the can of paint, dip your paintbrush in, and realize that you haven’t taped around the light switch or the ceiling because you didn’t have any tape.
Before you start setting up to paint, ensure that you have everything you need, so you don’t have to stop once you’re on a roll. Some essentials you should consider buying are:
- Drop cloth
- Paint tray
- Paint roller
- Ladder
If you decide to hire professional painters, they will often bring their own supplies so you won’t have to worry.
How long will it take?
There are many variables that determine how long it can take for paint to dry, and for your work to be finished. In order to understand whether one weekend will be enough time, some things you should consider include:
- The type of paint being used—Oil-based paints can take 6-8 hours to dry, while acrylic paint can take just a few hours.
- The application style—If the paint is applied professionally, it’s more likely to be an even coat, allowing it to dry quicker.
- Location and temperature—The interior of a home is often kept at an ideal drying temperature due to the air-conditioning and heating.
In conclusion
Before you start painting your house, there are some things you should consider. These will help you paint more quickly and effectively, and ensure that the job is done as well as possible. You need to decide whether you want to hire a professional painting service or do it yourself. Deciding what color to paint each room can be a difficult decision, but one that must be decided sooner rather than later. You should also make sure you have all the supplies you’ll need and an accurate estimate of how long it will take.
