Painting the walls of your home may seem like a chore, but if you prepare correctly it might turn out to be a fun and relaxing activity. The first task in figuring out how to paint your walls is figuring out what color you want. Unfortunately, this can be the most difficult part of the process. Start by looking at magazines or sites online that offer decorating ideas. Look at the color of your carpet and furniture. A good way to find a color can be to pull an accent color from your furniture or decorations. Once you’ve made the decision on the color, get a physical sample of it. Although most stores can match your sample using computers, an easier way is to find an existing paint color that is closest to the color you want. If you paint match, you will need to get all the paint in one go. Otherwise you can end up with mismatched gallons of paint.

Figure out how many gallons of paint you’re going to need. Many paint stores have online calculators to help you figure out how many gallons you’ll need for the square footage you’re painting. If your wall has an existing paint color that is darker than your new color, you will need to prime. Usually two coats of primer should do the job. Next, use painters tape to tape around edges you don’t want painted. Although taping around the ceiling can be helpful, it is often more accurate to cut it in by sight. You’ll want at least one roller and one paint brush for cutting in the edges. Now you’re ready to start painting!

DIY, do it yourself, home improvements, home repairs, home maintenance