If the thought of painting your house fills you with horror, take note of our simple tips to make the whole DIY decorating process smooth and satisfying
Household painting jobs can, in truth, be messy, tiring and unsatisfactory – if you don’t use the right tools and techniques. But follow our top tips and you’ll soon be admiring smooth and professional-looking results in just the colour and finish you dreamed of – and with no unpleasant overspill.
1. Choosing colour
The range of paints available is staggering, and they’re not cheap, so your first task is to make sure that you have the right type for the job.
Start with the colours you love. If you’re redecorating to sell a property, the common advice is to go for a neutral colour. If not, the world is your oyster; you can scan through decorating interiors magazines looking for inspiration, or even take colour cues from internet mood boards, social media sites, fabric patterns, natural spaces, artwork, movies or TV. Once you have settled on a base colour, use a colour wheel (usually available free at paint stores) to choose complementary colour ranges.
2. You can combine a neutral wall shade with a pastel ceiling to add a bit of character without losing the soothing vibe
Watch out for the undertones in paint colours – a beige shade may, for instance, have a green undertone which becomes overwhelming on large areas. Always get a tester pot and paint a small area before committing.
