When we talk about interior design, we often think of elements and aspects that go seamlessly together.
That said, an integral aspect of interior design would then be the paint we use on our walls. Unfortunately, most homeowners tend to overlook the paint and design of their walls.
Unless covered in cladding or intricate molding, the walls in most homes tend to be covered with just paint. To ensure that all interior design elements tie up seamlessly, however, this means that you need to be a little meticulous about the kind of paint you choose. Before you start canvassing online hardware stores for their paint, however, it is imperative that you know which techniques to incorporate in painting your walls as it will optimize your home decorating endeavor.
So prior to choosing between Boysen paint or Davies paint, below is a list of tips and techniques in painting your home interiors like a pro:
1.) Wait for Dry Weather
While this tip is pretty self-explanatory, some homeowners jump into painting their homes right away, thinking that as it is dry indoors, humidity would not affect any indoor painting you might want to do. Unfortunately, this is not true. Humidity means slow drying, which means your paint job is prone to drips. That said, painting during good sunny weather is paramount—whether you are painting indoors or outdoors. Paint when it is humid and take your time. More importantly, you may want to take advantage of slow-drying paint to give you an avenue for correcting any errors you might make before moving on to the next coat.
Remember not to overwork it as it will show once you are finished.
2.) Strié
A French expression for streaking, strié is one of the most visually stunning painting techniques you can do for your walls. To do this, create horizontal or vertical lines with paint. The effect resembles that of linen material and adds warmth as well as texture to your space. Strié, when done properly, adds to the overall aesthetic and panache of a room.
3.) Do a Visual Inspection Before Painting
Before applying a new primer and paint, be sure to check any cracked, flaked, or peeling areas as these would need to be lightly sanded or scraped then thoroughly rinsed. This is because the new coat’s weight will pull the paint loose. If you do not take care of these first, you will only end up doing the same paint job twice, which is a waste of effort and resources. You may also need to wash greasy spots with soap and rinse it with clean water. If your walls are free of blemishes, simply wipe them down with a damp cloth to give your paint a clean and particle-free surface to stick to.
4.) Use Tape
Tape may be an unassuming instrument in arts and crafts, but it makes an excellent tool in painting your interior walls. However, do not arbitrarily choose a tape, thinking that it would do the trick regardless of what kind it is. For amazing masterpieces, use painter’s Tape. Apart from covering areas, you do not want to paint on, it allows you to create amazing and dramatic painting styles. With the right Tape, you can create multitudes of beautiful patterns, including, but not limited to, chevrons, interlocking squares, and stripes.
5.) Buy High-Quality Brushes, Roller Covers, and Painter’s Tape
We cannot afford to be arbitrary about the tools and instruments we are going to use if we want an exemplary result of our paint job endeavor. Our need to be thorough and meticulous should extend from the paints themselves to the instruments we use, such as the brushes, roller covers, and painter’s tape. If you are already investing in high-quality paint, you do not want to waste all that on poor application, and this happens when you buy cheap quality tools. Good brushes and roller covers give excellent coverage. In this way, you do not waste any paint, time, and effort in reapplication. Similarly, high-quality painter’s Tape ensures that you can seal out and protect areas you do not want to paint on from any blurs or drips.
6.) Apply Color Wash Technique
Adding depth and texture to a living space is as simple as utilizing the color wash technique. This technique gives your walls and your rooms a soft and warm appearance. To do this technique, simply layer two dissimilar colors. It is an easy, simple, and very straightforward technique that promises aesthetic results. Even better is that it is more economical and practical as compared to any other painting style.
7.) Use Primer
While you can always use paint and primer combinations, these are only great if you already have a smooth and dust-free surface. Otherwise, your paint job is going to fare better if you use a separate primer. This is especially true if there are any existing issues with the wall or it has been a long while since you painted over it. Be sure to use the right bonding primer if you are painting over challenging surfaces such as glass or high-gloss paint.
8.) Allow the Roller To Do Its Work
Premium paints flow and stick on the wall effortlessly and seamlessly. That said, you do not need to use too much pressure—granted that you chose high-quality rollers. Also, you may want to use extension poles for your rollers so that you can maximize the use of your roller and reach hard-to-reach places with little to no effort.
9.) Paint from Top to Bottom
While it may sound like an elementary painting technique, some DIY home decorators tend to overlook this tip. After you have cut in your edges at the baseboard and ceiling and brush, be sure to apply paint from the ceiling downward. Doing it from bottom to top means that the finished paint job will likely have drips and spatters. So, work your way from top to bottom so that you can paint over any mistakes as you work your way down. Once an area begins to dry, leave it alone. Going over it again may leave marks and color streaks on the paint’s surface.
