Painting the interior of your home

Painting the interior of a home can appear to be a daunting task, but with planning and preparation, it can be accomplished successfully.

One of the first decisions you will need to make is what colour or colours you are going to use for your project. When deciding the colour scheme there are things to keep in mind such as if you are painting in order to sell, or if you are painting for your own decorating. If you are planning to sell your home or flat in the near future, you will want to stay with a more neutral palette of colours than if you are doing this for yourself.

The next decision you will need to make about your choice of paint is the finish type. Paint comes in many different finishes or sheens including flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and gloss and depending on the room or rooms you are painting, each has its rightful place in painting. Flat paint is best at hiding any imperfections and works great on ceilings. Eggshell or possibly a semi-gloss paint should be used in rooms that may need the reflection of light and the washability afforded with these finishes. Trim around doors, windows and baseboard as well as kitchens and bathrooms are usually painted with either a semi-gloss or gloss finish paint as these areas require more frequent washing.

Other supplies you will need include brushes, rollers, paint pans, ladders, tarps or other covers etc. When purchasing paint, paintbrushes and roller covers the thing to remember is to purchase the highest quality you can afford, quality in these items will definitely affect your finished project.

When you have finally made the decisions on colour, finish and type of paint (oil or latex based) and purchased your other materials you get to everyone's least favourite part of the project, which is the preparation. Move out as much furniture etc. as you can from the area to be painted, repair holes, cracks and other defects and mask or tape off areas as needed. Cover floors and other items with protective sheeting and gather all your supplies.

Start your painting with the ceiling, then the walls and paint trim last. When painting the same colour or close you may get by with one coat, but otherwise plan on painting two coats to get the finish and durability your project deserves.

Back to DIY articles