If your home's interior is looking a little dated, perhaps it's time for a fresh coat of paint to boost design appeal. Our agents know that new paint is an easy, affordable way to transform a drab, outdated space into a space with updated style and appeal.
A fresh coat of interior paint will quickly create a clean updated look that appeals to buyers looking for Ridgewood homes for sale. If you're ready to tackle an interior paint project and give your home a new, stylish look, consider these interior painting tips that will ensure successful results.
Prevent The Mess
Paint projects get messy, so you need to protect your floors, furnishings, and valuables from paint splatters and spills. To keep things clean, invest in several canvas drop cloths that can be taped to floors and thrown over furniture. Canvas drop cloths work best because plastic is slippery, and paint spills stay wet, so you can easily track paint on your shoes throughout the house.
Buy Paint Supplies
Head to a local home improvement or paint store to pick up essential paint supplies. Your list should include the following: (Note: supplies and quantities may vary based on your painting project.)
- 1-2 large rollers and small rollers
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1-2 large flat paint brushes
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1-2 small trim brushes (flat or angled)
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1-2 paint trays
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Two rolls of painter's tape
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Sanding sponges
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Paint buckets
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Cleaning rags/sponges
Clean Dirty Surfaces
Whether you're painting ceilings, walls, or cabinets, surfaces must be clean and smooth to accept the paint. Clean dirty or grimy areas with a heavy-duty cleaner or deglosser made especially for painted, varnished, or enameled surfaces. These products are ideal for greasy or oily areas on kitchen and bathroom walls and around cabinet pulls, doorknobs, and light switches.
Prep for Paint
A high-quality paint job requires good preparation. Examine paint surfaces for cracks, dents, gouges, holes, and stains. Most cracks, dents, and holes can be filled with spackling putty, then smoothed out and sanded to an even surface for painting. If you see water stains on ceilings and walls, a plumber should check for water leaks that must be repaired before painting.
Choose Your Paint Color
When choosing a paint color, it's important to think about the size of the room, what the room is used for, and the amount of natural light the room gets during the day. With a larger room, you have more options with a darker color palette. If your room is small with few or no windows, stick to a lighter color to make the room feel larger.
Finish
When choosing a finish, think about durability, maintenance, clean-ability, and sheen:
- High-gloss and Semigloss – Excellent durability and clean-ability. Good for cabinets, doors, and trim.
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Satin – Good clean-ability with a soft sheen for cabinets, doors, and walls.
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Eggshell – Medium clean-ability with a low, soft sheen for walls and ceilings.
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Flat/Matte – Minimal clean-ability with no sheen. Best for low-traffic areas.
Paint the Trim First
According to the pros, it's best to paint the trim first, then the ceiling, then the walls, because it's easier to tape off the trim than the walls. When painting wood trim, neatness is not required, but you need a smooth finish. If the trim paint gets on the walls or the ceiling, you can paint over it once you remove the painter's tape.
If you're interested in Bergen County real estate, contact us for information on prices and available properties.
