Are you thinking of revamping your living room or renovating your entire home? Painting is a perfect method to give your home a new and inviting look, whatever your design goals may be. But before you start painting, it’s important to know how to prepare your walls. This is especially important because once you adjusted the furniture in your space, the task of painting can feel like an enormous undertaking
Whether you plan to paint an entire room or just one wall, it’s essential to know what steps to take to prepare the surface for painting. Luckily, this article has got you covered with all the information you need to get started.
Protect Your Space Where You Want To Paint
Before diving into your interior painting project, the first and essential step is to take some preparatory steps to ensure the process goes smoothly and doesn’t create unnecessary mess or damage to your home. Painting can cause drips and spills, and you don’t want to damage your flooring or carpets. Therefore, you should lay down dust sheets or protective covers on the floor. They will make cleaning up any accidents or messes much easier.
Moreover, it’s also important to gather all the tools and equipment you need before beginning your project. This includes paint brushes, rollers, trays, tape, and any other materials necessary for your particular painting job. Having everything close at hand will save you time and frustration in the long run.
Remove Nails, Hooks & Screws For A Flawless Finish
One of the most important steps in preparing your walls for painting is to remove any nails, hooks, screws, or other hardware that may be attached to the walls. If they contain sticky tape or another adhesive putty, use a scraper or putty knife to gently remove them. This is essential to ensuring that your new paint goes on smoothly and evenly, without any bumps or lumps. Also, unscrew any electrical socket covers and light switch plates. If it’s not possible to remove these fixtures, simply cover them with painter’s tape to protect them from paint splatters and drips.
Clean The Walls
To ensure that your paint job looks its best and lasts as long as possible, it’s important to start with clean walls. Paint won’t adhere well to a dirty surface, so you’ll need to get rid of any dust, dirt, or grime that may be lurking on your walls. This could include stubborn kitchen grease or even cigarette smoke residue. Fortunately, washing your walls is a relatively easy task that doesn’t require too much effort. All you need is some warm water and a scrubby sponge.
Perform a Pre-Painting Wall Inspection
Whether you’re preparing to paint an entire room or just a single wall, the first step is to inspect your walls carefully. Look closely for any cracks, holes, or other imperfections that could affect the final outcome of your painting project. Even minor damage can detract from the appearance of your freshly painted walls.
If you do notice any cracks or holes, don’t worry—they can be easily repaired. First, use a scraper or putty knife to remove any loose or flaking paint around the damaged area. Next, fill the hole or crack with a spackle or a patching compound, using your filling knife to smooth the surface. Allow the compound to dry completely, then sand it smoothly with fine-grit sandpaper.
Apply Primer for Maximum Adhesion
Before getting your colour groove on, you should take one last important step, which is to apply primer to the walls. Whether you have drywall or you’re painting in a moist, humid area prone to staining like a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, primer is extremely important. It is a base coat used to help treat textured areas or wrinkles on the wall. If the wall surface is smooth, you can skip the primer step. However, if your wall has been previously covered in wallpaper, you should definitely plan on using a primer before painting.
Select the Paint
Choosing the right type of interior paint finish can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your room. Not all paints are created equal, and different finishes can give you different effects. For instance, if you have an open floor plan and a large space, you may want to consider using a flat finish on the ceiling, an eggshell or satin finish on the walls, and a semi-gloss finish on the trim. This is a standard combination that can create a sense of flow and consistency throughout the house. However, if you have a small or closed-off kitchen, consider using a satin or eggshell finish on the ceiling. These finishes are better at resisting moisture and grease, which can be important in a kitchen.
Conclusion
Painting your walls requires more effort than just choosing a colour. But for some homeowners, it’s a job that they can do with a little elbow grease. However, if you are unsure or would rather not take on the task, hiring a professional interior painter could be a great option for you. They can help you choose the right paint and finish for your space and ensure that the job is done to a high standard, so you can enjoy your freshly painted walls without the hassle.