If you are looking at your walls and are thinking that they need a fresh coat of paint or just want to switch things up with a new color, read on for some tips to make your paint job a smooth one.

• Paint samples onto paper and hang them on the wall. Look at the colors in different lighting to see if it’s really the color you desire.
• Determine which kind of primer you need, if any (e.g., wood, drywall, masonry, or a paint and primer in one). If the walls are in good condition or the colors are not a drastic change, you may not need a primer.
• Choose a sheen suitable for its use (e.g., satin enamel works well for rooms with moisture, like kitchens and bathrooms).
• Cover furniture and flooring with plastic sheeting.
• Fill small holes or cracks with filler or spackle, let it dry, and then sand it. Then wipe down the area you will be painting with a mild soap solution to remove any dust, which would affect the paint’s adherence.
• Next, tape off the room by applying paint tape to the boundaries you are painting around.
• Paint the ceiling first, then the walls, and end with the trim.
• Let the first coat fully dry to prevent cracks and peeling. After the second coat, decide if you want a third coat.

 

Happy painting!