Top Ten Tips to Paint a Room
2) A gallon of paint usually covers 400 square feet. Measure the width X height of each wall to determine how much paint you will need for each coat. A room generally needs 2-3 coats depending on the color. Don't forget to subtract the square footage of door and window openings.
3) Different paint types can accent an area or hide a flaw. Flat paint has no shine and will not highlight imperfections in the wall. Eggshell creates a warm glow, while satin or semi-gloss is great for highlighting details. Gloss works best for areas with moisture and can be easily scrubbed.
4) A room with a chair rail is a great opportunity to use two different colors. The darker color below and lighter above draws the eye up making the ceiling appear taller.
5) For a monochromatic look paint the trim the same color as the wall. To accent the trim choose a lighter or darker paint color, it's all about preference.
6) To create stripes use painter's tape and acrylic gel medium. Paint a thin line of the gel on the edge of the tape and the edge of the wall to prevent the paint from bleeding and feathering behind the tape.
7) Most ceilings are painted white to create the feeling of height. Darker colors are ideal to visually bring the ceiling down in extremely tall rooms for a more cozy feeling.
8) Use a small, one inch angled paintbrush to easily paint around the edges. Create a bead of paint on the tip of the brush to guide it into the corners, this creates a clean finished edge.
9) Use a paint tray liner or plastic bag for easy clean up and reuse of the expensive tray.
10) Rollers and brushes can be stored overnight in a sealed plastic bag, if you can't finish the job for several days store the bag of brushes in the freezer.
