Paint is the cheapest and easiest way of updating your home. From jazzing up an old piece of furniture to changing the entire décor scheme of a room, it can work wonders. There are so many things you can do with paint, from changing a wall colour to creating coordinating decorator pieces. Whether you rent or own your home, paint is a great solution for creating a beautiful home on a budget. Advancement in technology has seen the development of new paint products. Spoilt for choice in both colour and finishes, there is now available – coloured blackboard paints, metallic paint, textured paint, antiquing and reflective type paints. The list goes on, and then there’s all the things that you can paint in your home including walls, floors, furniture, ornaments, cushions etc etc. The key is to select carefully and be organised. So just like baking a cake make sure you have all the right tools you need and follow the steps correctly so all will turn out the way you want it to. As mentioned there are paints available for just about any surface. So choosing the right paint is vital for the finish and look that you want to achieve. Ranging from matt (flat) to high gloss ( shiny ) and even textured, choosing the right sheen is just as important as choosing the colour. Heres a quick lesson:
Types Of Paint:
+ Matt – a non reflective flat paint that is easy to apply and creates a smooth, soft looking finish. It suits wall and ceiling surfaces as it is likely to show marks and imperfections. Not so great in dark rooms that have little natural light. + Satin and Low Sheen – has a hint of lustre and shine that allows the surface to pick up a little light. It is an easy clean surface that is ideal for families with children or pets as it wipes clean with a damp cloth. + Semi –Gloss and Gloss – having a high level of shine they are easy to clean also and harder wearing than any other paint. Gloss is ideal for wood surfaces like skirting boards and doors. Durability increases if used in enamel form rather than acrylic but is great for those areas you wish to create a variation from the wall texture. + Chalkboard – Chalk paint is really popular in creating a chalkboard wall in a childrens room giving a practical fun use to the wall for all those blossoming creative. Also being used on furniture to create an aged look. + Pearlescent – offer a shimmering effect to add texture to a room. Great for a feature wall as it does hightlight flaws easily. Creates a glamour look. + Metallic – gives a metal look to just about any surface it also comes in a hammer texture finish. It looks great as a feature and also works well in changing the look of furniture and decor accessories. Paint comes in bases of acrylic – which is water based, easy to clean up and can be used on all areas, or enamel – which is oil based, harder wearing and ideal for woodwork or metal surfaces. After selecting the type of paint you require, you can now choose the colour for you want to express your personal style and enhance your home. ( check out our Colour Your World Blog ) Next its preparation time which is one of the most important steps in the painting process. The good news is there are now paints that combine undercoat and top coat so the work load is halved. ( As a DIYer, I can tell you theres nothing worse than having the paint peel off not long after you’ve spent the time creating your decor piece all due to lack of preparation).
Heres some great tips to start you off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM71u20-ON0&list=PLSBARC465CGb1-RjH8SI03wzdj8qG9jrQ
Walls –
Besides just splashing on a coat of paint to change a colour scheme, you can add pattern and texture with paint.. you can stencil walls , create a shade variant wall or use a dramatic colour as a feature wall.
How to Calculate How Much Paint You Need:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL0-8rXsqlg
How to Prepare and Paint Your Walls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNG7EoyjMrE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZESzEFGoVO8
Via Finspi
Décor Accessories –
Via Pink Pistachio
Repurpose old jars with a little paint to colour coordinate your decor
Begin by washing all bottles and let dry completely (overnight). Then:
- Withdraw paint using a paint syringe
- Insert syringe into bottle opening and dispense a stream of paint
- With the bottle lying horizontal, slowly rotate or roll until the paint evenly covers the entire inside surface of the bottle
- Pour remaining paint back into jar remove excess paint from bottle mouth using a paper towel, dampened with water if needed
- Let jars rest upright for 3 – 4 hours. repeat steps 4 and 5 one more time.
- Let jars rest overnight until completely dried
- Fill a disposable floral vile with water (do not put water directly into bottles – as the paint will wash away)
- insert flowers into plastic vile and arrange inside bottle(s) of choice
- Now you have a lovely vase – display in any place that needs a touch of beauty!
Or just add a Pop of Colour to a Plain White Vase with some Paint
Furniture –
There are endless combinations of how you can use paint to update or restore a piece of furniture. Create a completely different look by painting a chair in a bright colour, pastel, shabby chic look or antique style. The choice is yours.
Learn How: http://2014.oohm.com.au/wp-admin/post.php?post=215&action=edit
Via Shelterness
Floors –
While you can’t paint a carpeted flood, you can have it redyed . If not you can paint a rug or piece of linoleum to cover up carpet in bad condition. Another option is to rip it up and paint a stencil pattern on the floor. Timber, concrete or tiled floors look fabulous with a stencilled pattern on them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bhyhbMyQNQ
Art –
Via Lifehack
Fixtures –
Even by painting kitchen cupboard doors you completely change the look of your room.
Remember these Tips:
- There are specialized paints for specific purposes like garage floors, tiles and laminate etc. and its vital to use the correct type for the job. Your local paint supplier can help you select the right paint for your task.
- Next there is the preparation. Just like baking a cake if you don’t have all the tools and follow the steps correctly then it won’t quiet turn out the way you want it to.
Here are some do’s and don’ts to consider;
DON’TS
- ~ Don’t be in a hurry
- ~ Don’t paint over unprepared surfaces
- ~ Don’t paint in an unventilated room – always have doors and windows open
- ~ Don’t start your 2nd coat until the first is touch dry
- ~ Don’t leave brushes out to dry, wrap them in plastic overnight and place in fridge. When the job is finished clean them well as instructed on the paint tin so that they are ready for the next paint job
DO’S
- ~ Choose your preferred colours from a sample card and get a sample paint pot to test the colour you have chosen on a piece of board/paper. Place it in different areas of the room to see how the light changes the shade or tone. This way you can see if it is the colour you wanted
- ~ Always prep the area well first. Remove furniture etc that you can and cover everything that needs to be protected from paint splashes
- ~ If painting a small item , make a paint booth out of an old cardboard box and spray paint the object
- ~ Wipe down the surface to be painted and sand off , with sand paper any lumps or imperfections you do not want to see
- ~ Make sure you have all the equipment you will need –paint brushes and rollers, sand paper, paint tray, ladder, cloths and drop sheets
- ~ Wear appropriate and comfortable clothing
- ~ Always prep the surface you are painting and read the instructions on the tin. Sand and/ or undercoat the area and apply at least two coats
- ~Keep left over paint in a tin or container labeled , for touch ups that may be needed later
- You will be amazed how a little paint can completely change the look of a room or object. There are lots of helpful how to videos on youtube for more technical advice….
Enjoy, Create, Decorate