But there are a few things you should consider before you get started on your house painting project -- besides what colour you like best. From the type and quality of paint to the optimal colours and finishes for various rooms in your home, here are the top painting tips to help you plan before you roll up your sleeves and start working.
3 expert painting tips
1. Find the right finish
Staring at paint chips in the paint aisle of a hardware store can get pretty overwhelming. There are so many choices, so before you go, know what you're looking for. "For kitchens and bathrooms, I recommend a paint that provides a mildew-resistant coating," says Misty Walker, colour manager for Olympic Paints and Stains (olympic.com). "It provides a mildew-resistant coating in a semigloss finish, which is perfect for areas prone to heat, humidity and frequent cleanings. For bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms, I recommend an eggshell finish because it reduces glare and is beautiful, yet washable. For kids rooms and playrooms, move up to satin or even semigloss finishes for the additional durability these high-use rooms need."
If you're painting more than just walls (such as doors, trim and ceilings), there are even more painting tips to consider. "Pearl, satin, semigloss and glossy paints are best used for wood surfaces like doors and trim," says designer Laura Stein, principal and CEO of Laura Stein Interiors (lauramstein.com). "They provide a strong coating, are easy to clean and add a touch of elegance. My favourite finish for doors and trim is satin. It has a beautiful lustre that's not too shiny and looks supremely sophisticated. Ceilings should always be painted in a flat finish, unless you are going for a special effect."
2. Consider low-VOC paints
As more and more people become conscious of eliminating toxins in their environments, low-VOC paints have gained in popularity for house painting projects. VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) are toxins found in paint that linger in the air long after you've finished painting. "Regulations in the paint industry have required manufacturers to reduce the VOCs in paints, so most paint on the market today is either low-VOC or no-VOC," explains Stein. "Using a low- or no-VOC paint not only helps the environment, it also keeps you from breathing in toxins in your home. These paints should be used everywhere possible, especially in children's rooms and by moms-to-be who are painting a nursery," she says.
3. Invest in good-quality paint
"It's difficult to know the quality of a paint based on the label, but generally you get what you pay for," says Stein. "Good-quality paint is more expensive, but it will require fewer coats, have better coverage and texture, retain its fresh appearance for longer, and have richer pigmentation and better colour-fastness." In other words, it will look a lot better for a lot longer, she says.
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