One of the easiest ways to update the look of your home before placing it on the market is by painting. It doesn’t matter if you are painting the interior walls a new, neutral color or if you are repainting them with the same color, your home will look cleaner and more attractive with a fresh coat of paint.

If you don’t have the money set aside in your budget to hire a painter, don’t worry! Painting your home is a task you should have no problem tackling by yourself. In fact, I painted my living room area a warm light brown just last weekend. The job can be time-consuming and tedious, but it can also improve the look of your home tremendously.

Before I began my painting project last weekend, I researched online and found a few great painting tips. I read about many things I hadn’t considered, and I also learned there were many things I’ve done wrong in the past. The tips I found were really helpful and I thought I’d share them.

TYPES OF PAINT

Always use quality paint. There’s really no point repainting if you plan to use low quality paint. The quality will show itself on your walls, and will only result in wasted time and money. It’s definitely worth spending a bit more for a higher quality paint. Trust me on this one. Tested and proven quality brands include Benjamin Moore, Behr, and Sherwin Williams.

Finishes: flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, high-gloss

Flat paint has the least amount of shine and has a matte appearance. It absorbs light and is the best option for hiding imperfections. It goes on smoother over rough surfaces and is the best option for textured walls. It’s a bit more difficult to clean than others and isn’t ideal for high traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

Eggshell (sometimes referred to as satin) has more luster than flat finishes but doesn’t leave you with a shiny wall. It resists stains better than flat and can be cleaned with a wet rag.

Semi-gloss is tougher than eggshell so it will show less wear over time, but it reflects light and doesn’t hide imperfections. It stands up best to water and cleaning and is the best choice for bathrooms or children’s rooms. Semi-gloss is often the chosen finish for trim and doors.

High-gloss should be reserved for trim and furniture because of its hard and shiny finish.

TOOLS & SUPPLIES

Supplies to consider: paint, primer, roller trays, drop cloths, painter’s tape, damp cloth

Tools to consider: nylon/polyester brushes for latex paints, rollers, screwdriver, sandpaper, paint scraper/putty knife (a 5-in-1 tool is a painter’s best friend), edger

Brush Sizes: 1 – 2″ brushes are best for smaller and tight trim areas, a 2.5 – 3″ brush is perfect for trim or corner work, and 4 – 5″ brushes are ideal for larger areas like walls

PREP

Remove as much furniture as possible. Remove pictures, mirrors, outlet covers, light fixtures, and window treatments.

Don’t use plastic sheets; use drop cloths instead. The paint won’t absorb in the plastic and you’ll end up tracking the paint everywhere.

Wash/wipe walls to remove soiled surfaces and increase adhesion. Sand glossy areas with sandpaper.

Use a putty knife to to clean out large plaster cracks and fill.

Always use painter’s tape to mask areas around doorways and windows, and “seal” the tape with the paint brush handle.

PAINTING

Always stir the paint before you begin and never paint straight from the can.

Be sure to cut in while painting–apply paint to the sides and edges of the walls before painting the middle.

To keep coats even, always apply paint to a “wet edge.”

Paint in 4×4 sections of the wall.

Paint a ‘W’ shape with the paint roller and fill in the middle.

Don’t skimp. Load up the roller–this saves time and keeps you from having to paint a second coat.To avoid drips, roll the paint onto a piece of cardboard each time to even the paint out on the roller.

Remove the painter’s tape before the paint is dry to avoid peeling off any paint and maintain perfect edges.

CLEAN UP

Use a roller scraper to remove the paint from the roller.

Place a layer of plastic between the paint can and the lid to keep it from drying out.

Immediately rinse out and wash your brushes and roller, and keep the brush in its original packaging to maintain its shape. Clean brushes by working soap into the bristles and squeezing out as much water as possible.

Always store left over paint in a cool dry place; recycle empty paint cans.