Things to Consider Before Painting a Room Yourself

Painting can transform a room in a matter of hours. But in order for it to be successful, the transformation takes planning, time and expenses to ensure that the job is done correctly. All of these factors tend to intimidate the average DIYer. Some estimates show that 71% of those planning on that project will procrastinate it.

Painting isn’t easy. That’s why many homeowners hire a professional as opposed to spending endless time searching “how to paint a room” or “how to paint a wall”. If you’re weighing whether you should do the painting yourself or hire painters in Philadelphia, here are several factors to consider before getting your brush wet.

Choosing the Right Color and Finish

The walls in your home serve as the backdrop to your lives on a daily basis. One of the toughest decisions when painting a room is always settling on a color. House paint colors can truly set the tone–do you want the room for you to work, play or relax. There are also so many options that it can be tough to pick just one.

Not only will the color of your paint have a major impact on your wall, but the finish, or sheen, will also have a significant impact. Eggshell, satin, or gloss are all different options to consider.

• Gloss and satin hold up better in high traffic areas and can be cleaned easier. A downside to these finishes is they make patches or wavy drywall much more pronounced.
• A matte finish will not clean as well but will hide the imperfections.

A professional can help you choose the right shade, finish and accents for the room you’re about to paint.

Selecting the Right Equipment for Interior Painting

If you have ever taken on a painting project, you know that purchasing paint supplies provides an unexpected expense. You may start with a list that looks short and sweet, but then you have a discussion with the employee in the paint section at your local hardware store, and you’re leaving with a cart that has three times the equipment you expected.

Some of the items you may need include: Rollers, rolling pans, rolling extensions, brushes, drop cloths, tarps, painting tape, sandpaper, spackle, paint thinner and edging tools. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include the estimated $25 that you are going to spend on each can of paint needed for the project. If you do not have any of this equipment to get started, it may be easier and cheaper to search for “house painting near me” and contact a professional who has all the necessary tools for the job.

Preparation is Key

So, you’ve chosen your color and bought your supplies, now it’s time to begin the preparation stage. This may include

• Moving/covering furniture
• Wiping walls and floorboards clean
• Removing/taping electrical outlet and switch covers
• Spackling and sanding any holes to even the wall’s surface

Once you’re ready to paint there is still prep to be done before you can use your roller. Rollers are not made to work in tight areas or in corners. For those spots, you’ll need to take a brush and paint by hand. This process, called edging, can be tedious, but it’s necessary for that picture-perfect result.

After edging, it’s time to roll. Many consider rolling to be the easiest part of a painting project and the most fun. We have to agree. Rolling does require some technique, but once it is mastered, the paint flows on the wall easily and you really start to see the project progress.

So, you’ve finished rolling and the room is done, finally! Except we forgot to mention that over 90% of projects are going to need two coats of paint before they fully hide the color underneath. If you find this discouraging, then maybe hiring a professional is the right decision for you.

House Painting Services in Philadelphia

If you’re looking for the best painters near King of Prussia, Lafayette Hill, or the Greater Philadelphia Area, our team at George Schneider painting is ready to help. Whether you have interior or exterior painting needs, deck refinishing needs, or even kitchen cabinet refinishing needs, we are here for you! Reach out today to get your project started!