How to Choose the Right Paint For Your Home
Break out of the Winter Blues and Paint a Room or Two!
Adding a fresh, new coat of paint to a room is a cost-effective way to give your room a brand new look. However, just taking a trip to your local hardware store can yield a lot of questions about which paint is right for your home. Choosing the right paint is a sure fire way to make your home look refreshed and beautiful. Here are a few tips to get your next paint project off to a good start and avoid the dreaded “paint regret”!
Choose your Type: Household paint is available in both latex or oil formulations; the majority of homeowners and painters alike typically prefer to use latex paint for their projects such as walls ceiling, baseboards, etc. because it spreads on smoothly and is easy to clean up. Oil-based paint can be used when painting real wood trim or furniture, as it is superior in sealing stains and knots in the wood. If you choose to work with oil-based paint, be sure to give yourself extra drying time as it takes longer to dry than latex.
Choose your Sheen: Deciding which paint sheen to choose will depend a lot on lifestyle and personal preference, the general rule of thumb is the glossier the paint, the easier it is to clean up but can also highlight any blemishes in your walls.
Semi-gloss is ideal for doors and trims giving the less glossy walls a more finished look. Satin sheen is ideal for high traffic areas, kitchens, and bathrooms as they have the wipe-ability of the high-gloss paint but with less shine. Eggshell is one of the most popular sheens as it has the durability of a gloss as well as the blemish masking ability of a flat and therefore is a good fit for many rooms in most homes. Flat finish is typically recommended for ceilings. Flat paint on walls offers best blend-ability for touch-up painting but does tend to show fingerprints and smudges easily.
Choose Your Color: Choosing a paint color is often one of the most personal choices you make in your home. Choices can vary depending on many different factors such as room size, light, and whether or not you’re painting to sell your home. As a general rule, when painting to stage your home to sell, choose white or neutral colors because it makes it easier for a potential buyer to envision themselves and their belongings in the space.
Choosing a paint color for your home that you plan to keep and live in is deeply personal. Take note of the items that you plan to keep in the room after your painting is complete, you can choose to go with a paint color in the same color family for a cohesive look, or choose a color on the opposite end of the color wheel to be complementary yet bold! In general, cool colors like blues and greens tend to create a calm and relaxing space while warmer colors like reds and oranges create a more vibrant atmosphere. In the end, it is your space, so pick a color that makes you happy!
Pro Tip: Use less than three colors in a room to avoid the room feeling “too busy.” Most major paint brands have sample designs to help you choose colors that go well together.
Choose How Much: Before you actually purchase your paint, we highly recommend buying sample sizes of the color that you think you want to work with and testing them on your wall. You may notice that the light in your room plays completely differently on the actual painted surface than it did on the paint chip. Some pants can even look very different from room to room. Or, maybe the throw pillow that you thought would match perfectly actually doesn’t!
Once you’re completely set on your paint color and sheen, it’s time to determine how much paint you need to buy! The easiest way is to measure the size of your room and ask the paint store staff. Remember to mention if you have vaulted walls or special design elements such as additional soffits, coffered ceiling, heavy texture, or lots of windows or doors in the room that may affect the amount of pain that you need to purchase.
Choose Your Tools: Choosing roller covers for the ease of application and best coverage can be easier than you think. The rougher the texture of your wall or ceiling, the thicker the roller cover nap you will need. For smooth surfaces, foam rollers can be a good option, especially for larger areas. For trim and edging, we suggest a brush with synthetic bristles that are thick and evenly distributed. Foam brushes are ideal for working on molding or an area of intricate detail. These brushes are typically only good for one use as they can easily tear and are difficult to clean. Natural bristled brushes made from animal hair are more expensive and are better suited for oil-based paint. If you have a lot to cut in, try the special cut-in brushes with soft bristles and short handle that can prevent hand cramps and allow more control for a straighter cut-in line.
We hope that with this information you are well on your way to giving your room a fresh look and feel with a little bit of time, energy, and paint. However, if you’d rather sit back and relax while the pros do the painting work for you, call Andy OnCall! Our experts are friendly, thorough, and are guaranteed to make your room feel fresh and new in no time at all.
