Thinking about freshening up your home this long weekend? Painting your walls is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make a room feel as good as new.
Here, British Paints shares seven handy tips and tricks to help you get the job done in record time.
1. It’s all about the prep
Before painting, make sure to clear the room of all furniture and lay down a drop sheet to catch any little spills.
Next, clean your walls and ceiling with sugar soap; a fresh canvas is the only way to insure against a ruined paint job. If your walls have a trim that is a different colour, make sure to mask up your edges to keep this area clean.
You’ll also want to cover up any accessories like power outlets and light switches.
2. Think about colour
Bonnie Jenkinson, British Paints senior brand manager, says that when choosing a colour, consider a popular on-trend shade.
“Popular colours will not only look great but can help with resale value if you decide to sell your home in the years to come,” Bonnie says.
She says popular paint colours in 2021 include those that are bright and bold yet still quite natural like Exotic Terracotta, Preserved Rainforest and Kara Sea. “As well as this, whites, greys and neutrals are always favourite options with our customers, in particular why not consider Star White, Mineral Salt or Set in Stone.”
3. Purchase a time-saving paint
Once your space is prepped and ready to paint, you’ll need to find the right product to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
“In general, waiting around two hours in between coats will help to ensure a great end result,” Bonnie says.
“If you’re looking to save time on your project, and get the job done easier, opt for paint that combines a topcoat and undercoat in one for reduced drying time and reduced coats required.”
British Paints Paint & Prime is exclusively available at Bunnings Warehouse and combines a topcoat and undercoat in a single can, meaning you’ll only need one type of paint to complete your entire project in two easy-to-apply coats.
4. Make friends with your paint roller
Paint rollers are perfect for those who want to get their painting project done quickly, without compromising on results.
Place your feet facing towards the wall and grip the roller with a firm but relaxed hand. Begin by working in sections, rolling in a large W pattern at first, then filling in the blanks of your W pattern with some extra zigzagging strokes.
Once the first section of the wall is covered, finish by using a technique called laying off to ensure there are no messy streaks. Use long vertical strokes and light pressure to paint over the area you recently covered, rolling with a combination of the W pattern and laying off until the entire wall is complete.
6. Don’t forget the ceiling
The ceiling is often considered one of the hardest parts of a room to paint, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Painting from side to side using left to right movements will deliver a better finish while keeping your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms below your shoulders is more comfortable.
7. Have fun!
Painting your home should be fun and enjoyable so make a day of it, grab some friends and begin your home transformation.
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