4 Interior Painting Tips To Help You Paint Like A Pro
If you are a homeowner you will most likely agree that it is important to save money on maintenance where you can. Interior painting is an area that doesn’t necessarily have to be done by a professional and there are a lot of resources with painting tips. With some proper tips and guidance, your average Joe can take a decent stab at any paint job.
Sure, there are a lot of options in Cincinnati for commercial painting services, but those services can cost a fair bit of money. If you are looking for the most economical way to do some interior painting in your home, it is time to roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself.
If you are looking to get started painting your home right away, keep reading for four tips to get you started.
Mix Your Paint Cans
Before you start getting confused on this point, it is important to note it is almost impossible to have every single can of paint be exactly the same color. It doesn’t matter if they were mixed side by side with the exact same formula, there are variables that you just cannot account for. That is why it is important to mix all of the paint you will use, in one session, into a larger vessel. This will ensure that your interior painting will be done with the same color regardless.
Interior Painting Does Require Priming
There are a lot of people looking to save money on their interior painting, but it is important not to skip essential steps. If you have done any form of repair to your interior walls it is essential to cover the areas in a good coat of primer. It will make sure the other paint doesn’t seep into the repairs and appear off-color.
Drop-Cloths Are A Life Saver
This job will be very different from an exterior painting job. There will be no power washing, and certainly no chimney repair, but it will have other requirements. You will want to protect your flooring, so it is essential to use drop-cloths to keep any paint spills or splashes from making a huge mess or damaging your flooring.
Utilize Painters Tape
Residential painting is not rocket science, but it does require some planning. Make sure to have enough painters tape handy so you can have perfect lines on your walls. The key is to make sure that the paint is completely dry before removing it. You may also want to go over the edges of the tape with a sharp knife to make it come off more evenly.
Interior Painting Is Not Just For The Pros
House painting is something that just about anyone can do with the right information and equipment. You can use it as a way to bring your family together and complete a fun task for your shared home. Just follow some common sense, get the right tools, and your interior painting job should come out looking great.
- Published in Cincinnati Exterior painting, Cincinnati Interior Painting, Cincinnati Painting, Cincinnati Painting Contractors, commercial painting contractor, Exterior painting, Painting Cincinnati, Painting Tips
DIY Interior Painting: All You Need To Know About Cutting In
There are thousands of do-it-yourself-ers in the Cincinnati area who are looking to save money on things like their interior painting to keep home maintenance costs down. These days everything seems to cost more, and it is important to be able to do some of the work yourself. The average homeowner won’t be doing their own chimney repair, but jobs like power washing and exterior painting are certainly within reason.
If you are one of the thousands in the area who are economically minded and looking to keep costs down, it is time to learn a little bit about interior painting, specifically cutting in for great lines. House painting is not the most difficult task to take on, you just need a bit of guidance to do it properly.
Keep reading below for some great advice on cutting in to keep your paint job looking professional.
Refrain From Using The Can
One of the most basic painting tips you can learn is to leave that can alone when you are doing interior painting, especially cutting. If you use a smaller container you will be able to manipulate the amount of paint your brush has easier. You won’t accidentally go too far into the paint and have excess to deal with. It will also keep your work area more manageable and easier to clean up. Cutting in is all about precision, so you want a minimal amount of paint on the brush.
Don’t Wipe Your Brush
Residential painting is not as complicated as it seems if you follow some basic painting tips. When you are getting the paint on your brush a lot of people tend to wipe their brush on the side of the container. This is actually going to displace the paint and move it to the wrong areas. What you need to do instead is remove the excess paint by just lightly patting the brush on the side of the container. Patting it will allow gravity to do its job and excess paint will just drip back down to the source.
Interior Painting Requires The Right Tools
Anyone who has done any sort of painting before will be aware that there are plenty of different paintbrushes you can buy. Whether you are doing commercial painting or your own house painting, everyone needs the right tools. For cutting in it is essential to have a proper angled sash brush, and you can find one of these at any Cincinnati hardware store.
Wiggle Into Tight Spots
There is a technique that all professional painters use to cut into tight spaces like corners. You want to slightly wiggle that paintbrush to get the paint as far in as you can. The individual bristles will work their way into the tight space and spread the paint much better than just swiping the brush.
Cutting In With Confidence
Nothing can replace experience when it comes to being good at interior painting, especially when it comes to cutting in. Yet, everyone must start somewhere, so the right painting tips and tools will give you a big boost. Make sure to take your time and follow your common sense, after a bit of practice you should be able to take on any interior painting job that comes your way.
How To Choose The Best Interior Painting Colors For Your Bedroom
Interior painting is one of those commonalities that every homeowner has to look forward to every so often. While the color in every part of your home matters, interior colors will be the ones that you appreciate and get the most from. As one of the most used rooms in the home, the bedroom is especially crucial to get right. Make sure you talk to the right people to get the job done properly. You would be amiss to trust bedroom painting tips from a commercial painting company, for example.
Regardless of where you look for help, it is important that the colors you choose are ones you are happy to live with. There are some basic tips you can always utilize when planning your interior painting job, especially with your bedroom. A lot of research and thought has gone into it over the years, so you are not without help.
Bedroom colors are their own category entirely so keep reading to find out more about how to choose them.
Think Relaxation
Your bedroom is where you try to unwind from the day, and just let it all go and nod off to dreamland. Various colors are known to evoke certain feelings in most people, and the key here is to find one that makes you feel at ease. Normally neutral tones are going to be most effective when trying to create a calm environment, and residential painting companies keep putting out new colors to choose from. The most important thing to know about choosing your color scheme is that it needs to be one that works for you.
Consult An Interior Painting Professional
Unlike exterior painting, it is not a necessity to hire a house painting company to do interior painting in your home, especially a smaller bedroom, but that doesn’t have to keep you from getting information. If you are having a tough time figuring it out there are many skilled professionals in Cincinnati that could give painting tips. All it takes is a phone call or a visit to the store to get an expert opinion.
Consider Test Cans
Any good interior painting supplier is going to have tiny little test cans available for you to try and purchase at a much lower cost than committing to a gallon. Try a number of different colors that jump out at you and do small sections in the bedroom. It may take a few days of walking by it all the time, but eventually one of them will speak to you more than the others. If that doesn’t seem to be happening you can always purchase more test cans.
Make The Choice For Yourself
For some homeowners interior painting, much like chimney repair and powerwashing, is something they just could care less about, while others pay for more attention to the details. Regardless of which category you fall into, you should always lean towards what you are feeling inside. There is a lot of merit in seeking expert advice and doing tests, but in the end, it is you who will be living with the choice, so choose wisely.
Interior Painting Tips: How To Use A Roller Properly
For a lot of homeowners, interior painting is a job that is quite often done without professional help. The paint itself can be expensive enough so it is no wonder so many people try to save money by doing it themselves. You probably wouldn’t attempt to do something like chimney repair yourself, but painting is manageable with the right tools and some painting tips.
If you are going to do your own interior painting, exterior painting, or house painting in general, it is important to know the best way to use a paint roller. It is not an overly complicated process to learn and it will save you time and headaches when doing any residential painting. With just a little bit of knowledge and practice, you will be rolling paint like an expert in no time.
Keep following along for an introduction and some tips on using a paint roller properly.
Get Geared Up
Before you can start changing colors and patterns inside your home you are going to need to get equipped with the right tools. There is no need to go overboard with your purchases here, as there are many options to get the job done properly. Before you start your interior painting job make sure you have the following:
- A tray for your paint, preferably one specifically designed for the task
- Various-sized paint roller frames
- Multiple paint roller covers for each size frame you will use
- Painters tape
- Dropcloth/newspapers/something to catch any spatters or spills
- Any accessories that you find handy
As you can see, it doesn’t take a lot to get started on making the inside of your home look fresh and beautiful. Now that you are geared up it is time to get down to the business of painting your home.
Interior Painting With Rollers
Take your desired paint color and put enough in the bottom of your tray or bucket. Start by protecting the floors and any furniture with a dropcloth. The painter’s tape is going to be important for the edges of all the walls you paint. Rollers cannot do every single part of a job and are not precision tools, so the tape will protect areas you don’t want to touch. Tape off one section as you do it unless you have someone helping you with the project.
Make sure you get an even coating of paint on your roller every time, and this may take some practice to get right. An even coat on the roller means an even coat on the wall. Take your time and get one section finished, let it dry, then you can see about another coat. It really is that simple if you don’t overthink it and just take your time.
Keep On Rollin’
There is a good reason why a lot of people around the country choose to do their own interior painting and not rely on the services of a commercial painting company. It is not an overly complicated task and like powerwashing, it can be done by just about anyone, to a degree. As long as you get the proper equipment and take your time to do it right you should have no problems refreshing the inside of your home.
How to Choose the Best Interior Painting Colors for Your Bedroom
Your bedroom is your own special space. You can always go to it to relax and unwind from the stress of the day. It should be an environment that is warm and welcoming, and it should be designed well for the purpose it serves, sleeping.
There is a variety of factors that you need to take into account when creating a peaceful bedroom to promote relaxation. One is the amount of natural lighting you have in the room. Another critical factor is the interior painting color that is on your walls.
Continue reading to learn how you can choose the best interior paint color for your bedroom to make it feel both relaxed and peaceful.
Have An Idea Of What You Want
Most people when they are thinking about painting their bedroom or any room in the house have a small idea of what they want. With the painting of your bedroom, go big or go home! You can choose to paint it yourself, or you can hire a local and experienced handyman to do the work for you.
You really need to contemplate what you want for your space. Do you want it to be calm and relaxed? Are you looking for more of an intimate nature? Are you looking for it to be a warm and cozy place? Once you have an idea, find some ideas on home remodeling websites or skim a home décor magazine. With this knowledge in hand, take off for the paint store with those colors and hues in mind.
Get Advice From An Interior Painting Consultant
A color consultant is someone that can walk you through options for the interior painting of your bedroom. They are there to find out what type of mood you hope to achieve in the room. They offer their support and as well as their expertise. Since they have much experience selecting colors and giving advice on the hues that would be right for you, you will have the confidence that the colors you choose will look and feel perfect in your bedroom.
Test Your Options
Once you have spoken to a color consultant or another service professional at a painting facility, go out and test your options for interior painting. After you have selected your finish, which can be matte, eggshell, semi-gloss, or gloss, get a few sample colors that you enjoy. Paint these hues on a section of your bedroom wall next to one another with a small amount of space for separation. You can then observe them over the next few days to see how they look in daylight with natural light as well as in the evening with artificial lighting. This should help you choose which color you like best.
Match Your Style And Personality
The last important concept to remember when selecting painting colors is to consider the room. What type of furniture do you have in your bedroom? How will it look with either warm or cool colors? Make sure you take your own personality and style into account as well. Do you have a flair for life? Use a bolder color if so. If you have a chimney in your bedroom, take into account what style and color it is as you will want to make sure the color you choose will match the style and personality of the fireplace as well.
Make Your Bedroom Feel Relaxed
By knowing how to choose a hue for any room in the house, you are merely making it easier on yourself when it comes to interior painting. The bedroom should have warm and inviting colors to make it the peaceful retreat it is. By knowing what you want, trying a color consultant, testing out your options, and matching your personality, you will have a beautiful color and bedroom that will keep you feeling warm and safe.
How Often Should Exterior Painting be Completed?
There are many tasks that need to be completed by a homeowner. Whether you are replacing furnace filters, smoke detector batteries, cleaning the gutters, or maintaining the HVAC system, you have a tremendous responsibility to keep your home in good working condition. This includes the exterior painting of your house. In this short guide, you will be informed of the top five considerations to take into account on how often the exterior of your home should be painted.
1. Area in which you live
One of the primary considerations on how often to perform exterior painting depends on the area in which you live. Cincinnati has cold, harsh winters that can damage your paint from the moisture that develops in the home when it heats up. You may need to complete outdoor painting more often in cold or humid climates.
2. The amount of time available
Are you a busy professional? Is your time scattered thinly as it is? If so, you are not alone. Many homeowners find themselves struggling to keep up with tasks such as the exterior painting of the home. If you see that you are too busy to get the painting accomplished, do not refuse to paint as it could cause repercussions down the line. Call in a professional painter or handyman to perform the task for you!
3. A quality exterior painting job
Anyone who knows about home products knows that quality goes much farther than quantity. If you are looking to extend the timeframe in which you need to paint, make sure to choose a quality paint to put on the exterior of your home. This will make the paint job last much longer than a watered down version and will keep your home looking brand new.
4. Will you be selling your home?
Do you have any plans to move in the next few years? If so, make sure to keep the task of painting completed frequently. Paint helps to seal in and protect your wood siding. You want to paint often to keep moisture out of your siding, which can end up damaging the wood and insulation, causing mold and mildew to grow. This damage would need to be repaired before putting your home on the market.
5. Maintenance and upkeep
The last reason to consider how often to perform exterior painting in your home is the upkeep and maintenance schedule. There is a lot of maintenance that a homeowner does. Whether it is maintaining fireplace and chimney repairs or performing roofing inspections, there is a lot on your mind. Put painting into the rotation to keep your home looking new.
As you can see, there are many reasons to consider how often exterior painting should be performed. It along with exterior power washing, landscaping, and remodeling are all tasks that at one time or another need to be accomplished in your home. Whether you perform these functions more often or not is based on a variety of things such as where you live, if you will be selling your home, how much time you have, and numerous other conditions. Just know that painting should be done on your Cincinnati home at regular intervals to keep your home looking beautiful and brand new!
House Painting Before You Move In Versus After
Have you purchased a new or used home in the Cincinnati area? If so, there are many tasks to complete and challenges along the way. Moving can be stressful and one of the many tasks that need to be performed is house painting. In this short guide, you will be informed of the top five reasons why painting should occur before you move in versus after move in.
1. Avoid the fumes of house painting
The most essential suggestion on when to perform house painting is to paint before moving in to avoid the lingering smell of fumes from the painting. When you wait until after you have moved in, even with fans and proper ventilation going, you are still breathing in paint fumes, which can be harmful to people who already have respiratory issues. Even if you do not have a problem with your lungs, consistently breathing in fumes can cause you to develop a wicked headache and possibly nausea. Make sure to paint before moving in to avoid the lasting smell.
2. No obstacles to paint around
Other than avoiding paint fumes, this is probably the most crucial of tips. When you choose to paint your walls before you move in, you have a wide, open space. You can accomplish the task much easier as there are no obstacles such as sofas and televisions to move around or cover before attempting to paint.
3. Less to do once you are moved in
If you have moved into a fixer-upper, you may want to paint before you move in as you may be working on roofing issues or simple remodeling once you have changed residences. A fixer-upper home brings many challenges, and painting before move in would cause you to have less to do once you have moved. Make sure to weigh this decision appropriately as painting before may save you time in the end.
4. Just another task on the list
If you paint your interior walls before you move into your new home, it will be accomplished as you have it written on a to-do list. When moving, there are numerous things you need to complete, including power washing of the exterior and cleaning of the gutters. In addition, you need to check the HVAC system and see if any fireplace or chimney repairs need to be performed. If you place painting on your list, you know it will get completed it as you have the energy and have been in ‘rush’ mode to make sure your move-in goes easily without any disruptions.
5. Motivation
Sometimes if you choose to wait to perform house painting after you move into your home, your motivation comes to a screeching halt. You have already been completing so many tasks, that you want a break from it all. If you wait to paint until you move in, you might find that it gets pushed down the list, as we are comfortable in our surroundings and even a bit lazy. Make sure to paint before moving in to be motivated to complete it.
As you can see, there are multiple reasons to perform house painting before you move in rather than after. If you feel that you do not have the time or energy to paint yourself, whether it is before moving or after move in, call a local handyman that is experienced with painting or a professional team to do the task for you. Whether you decide to paint before you move into your new residence or after, know that your new home will be beautiful with a fresh coat of paint on the inside as well as the outside.
5 Considerations Before Beginning Your Interior Painting Project
Now that winter has arrived and you are stuck in the house during the cold months in Cincinnati, why not take on a few of those projects that you have been meaning to get to? Interior painting is a task that most people dread due to the length of time and need for multiple supplies but once it is finished, the inside of your Cincinnati home will be transformed! In this short guide, you will be informed of the top five considerations before beginning your interior painting project.
1. Interior painting planning
One of the first things you want to accomplish when starting a painting project is to plan for it. You need to find a time that works for you so the project does not drag on and on. You also need to enlist the aid of helpers that are good at painting and who would assist you in your endeavor. Lastly, consider the amount of time that needs to occur for the paint to dry. You should give the walls at least 24 hours before bringing rugs, furniture, and other items back into the room. Make sure you have your belongings housed in an area that is convenient for the next few days.
2. Prepare the area
The next essential consideration to perform when interior painting your home is to prep the surface area to avoid pits, dimples, cracking, peeling, and other blemishes on the wall. To prepare your surface, you need to scrape any regions that have peeling or flaking paint. Also, make sure to wash the walls with warm soap and water if you notice any greasy spots on a kitchen wall. You may need to sand the walls as well to get an even surface and to prepare the wall for the paint to adhere to it. Just like cleaning the gutters or maintaining the HVAC, there are individual steps that have to be accomplished before you can enjoy the finished product. Lastly, know the square footage of the walls you will be painting to purchase enough paint at the same time.
3. Choose the right time
Another important consideration is to know when to paint. The best time to paint is when there is no or low humidity. Do not plan to paint on days where it is raining or snowing heavily. Also, do not choose to paint in the humid months such as July and August. Make sure to open windows for ventilation and let the paint dry thoroughly before you add another coat if needed.
4. Avoid lap marks & other blemishes
A significant consideration when performing interior painting in your home is to take the process of painting seriously. There is a flow to painting and one thing you want to remember is to keep the newest swipe of paint wet. This will prevent you from having lap marks, which is where you can see the line where the dry edge meets the next swipe of paint. Another way to avoid this is to start rolling at the bottom and go all the way to the top for the length of the wall. Just like when power washing, you want to be even and meticulous in your painting.
5. Take your time
The last piece of advice with painting the interior of your home is to take your time. Do not rush the process. Mistakes are made when we are in a hurry such as falling off the step stool or ladder or spilling a can of paint. Be safe painting just as you would when checking the roofing material or evaluating the chimney for chimney repairs.
As you can see, there are many steps to take when choosing to complete remodeling by performing interior painting of your walls. You want to make sure that you plan for the project as well as prep your area before starting. Pick the correct time for you, keep at it, so the paint does not dry prematurely, and cause blemishes. Finally, take your time. If you feel you are not qualified to paint or you do not have the time, call a local handyman to complete the project for you. If you follow our advice on the top five considerations before beginning your painting project, you will have the best-looking walls in all of Cincinnati!
Painting Tips: How to Choose the Right Paint for Different Surfaces
With the fall and winter season in the Cincinnati, Ohio region, it is imperative to make sure your exterior siding and paint are protected. One of the best ways to do this is to perform exterior painting to your home’s surface. By doing so, you are defending the home’s facade from the harsh weather that Ohio can experience. In this short guide, you will be informed of the top four painting tips on how to choose the right paint for your home’s surfaces.
1. Drywall or siding
One of the best painting tips is to utilize acrylic or latex paint when painting your Cincinnati home’s walls or siding. This is due to its versatility in surfaces such as vinyl, aluminum, prepared wood, and stucco. This paint is suggested because it is excellent to use in the remodeling of your home and that is due to its straightforward manner to work with and the fact it can be used for multiple DIY projects. Select acrylic or latex paints for all your projects!
2. Painting tips for wood
When you are painting the exterior trim or even the interior trim of your home, you want to use a paint that is appropriate for wood trim. You are going to want to choose glossy finishes as your first selection. If you do not have that option, a satin or flat finish will work just as well. The shine makes the trim “pop” a little more and prevents scuffing. You can choose an acrylic or latex based paint as your selection of trim surfaces.
3. Tricks for brick
More painting tips for home facades include painting brick and masonry surfaces. Just like when you replace the roofing shingles on your home or perform chimney repairs, you need to know the best way to protect your brick surfaces. This can include painting them. Brick and masonry can be a little tricky, so it is best to call in a local handyman or professional painting company to get the best results with the painting of brick. Professionals have excellent suggestions for beautifying brick and protecting masonry.
4. How to paint metal
You have to be careful when painting metal. Just like power washing metal with too high of pressures can cause damage, not priming the metal before painting with certain types of paint can also cause issues. When it comes to painting metal, you do have a couple of options though. Latex is great to use if you are painting an aluminum facade or a galvanized metal surface. You can brush the latex directly onto these metals. Other metals such as iron or steel can have acrylic, latex, or oil/alkyd paints applied to them as long as the metal has been adequately primed. If the aluminum or galvanized steel needs to be painted with oil/alkyd-based paint, then they need to be primed for the best results.
As you can see, there are multiple surfaces that a home can have that need to be periodically painted. Whether it is siding, wood, brick and masonry, or metal surfaces, just know your home will be not only beautiful with a new paint job, but also protected from any weather or insects that might attack it. If you follow our advice on the top four painting tips on how to choose the right paint for different surfaces, you will have the best-looking and most protected house in all of Cincinnati!
Interior Painting: Paint Like a Pro With Our Six Simple Steps
Are your indoor walls starting to fade? Has it been entirely too long since you have done any interior painting in your home? If so, you are in the majority of homeowner’s who are slacking on keeping their indoor walls maintained as well as trendy in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. In this short guide, you will be informed of how to paint like a professional with only six easy painting tips.
1. Verify you have a flat surface
The most important step to take in interior painting occurs before you actually start the painting process. To be able to paint your living room wall, dining room wall, or any other wall is to make sure it is fully prepared to take on paint. Inspect the wall for any imperfections such as scrapes, holes, cracks, and uneven areas. Make sure you correctly patch, sand, or fill any blemishes you find. If you do not prepare your surface before starting, you will have a weak paint job, as you will see the surface problems through the paint.
2. Use primer before interior painting
Another critical step to take when painting a wall, especially if you are painting over a darker color, is to prime the area. This does seem like just more painting, but the primer traps the prior color and prevents it from seeping through to the new coat of paint that you are applying. This painting tip is essential because the primer allows the paint to adhere to your walls, so there is no blistering, cracking, or peeling of the paint once it has been applied. It also allows you to paint only one coat of your top coat.
3. Utilize the correct equipment
The right tools for the job are crucial when it comes to painting. Just as a handyman working on the gutters needs a ladder, or a power washing technician needs a hose, a painter requires the correct equipment as well. These tools consist of different types of brushes, a step stool, a roller, an extension to the roller for high areas, the paint, a drop cloth, a stir stick, and cleaning wipes. If you start out with the correct equipment, your interior painting task will be done in no time!
4. Use an appropriate method
A great painting tip that the pros use is to start at the bottom and roll to the top. You need to be consistent and perform the action each time you paint or roll your paint on. If you do not, the same area is painted repeatedly, usually the middle of the wall, and the color will not be even and does not dry as fast. When you are consistent, you are even in your rolling or brushing, and your final project turns out perfect.
5. Leave trim for last
The next simple step for painting is to leave the trim for last. It is much easier to paint the entire wall your desired color than it is to start out painting the trim first. Your wall can be covered relatively quickly, but brushing the trim takes a little longer due to the careful detail you have to put into it. Make sure to paint the trim last, and your wall will look great!
6. Clean-up
The last excellent painting tip for the six simple steps to painting like a professional is to not forget about clean up. Just like the HVAC technician who has to put your compressor back together when finished, you need to put your painting supplies away. When you have painted the last stoke, you might think you are done for the day, but that is not so. Clean up is an essential portion of painting to keep your tools in good working order. You need to rinse all the brushes and rollers with water, pick up the drop cloth, and seal and store the paint for future use.
As you can see, there are many steps to perform interior painting in your house. Whether you use all the painting tips we have provided, or you use a few for your remodeling, your paint job will be fast, easy, thorough, and beautiful to look at. If you follow our advice on the steps to paint like a professional, you will have the best looking interior in all of Cincinnati!