Top Tips and Tools For Painting Like A Pro

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If you have ever flicked through the pages of a magazine and seen the images of a cute couple wearing denim dungarees, smiling inanely at each other, wielding paintbrushes in their hands with just the most perfect splash of paint across their cheek or forehead, it may seem that painting your home is a piece of cake. That is undoubtedly the image presented to us, but the reality can be a very different matter.

Painters and decorators certainly earn their salt, though it’s a job that often does not get the kudos it deserves. It’s not until you pick up a paintbrush for the first time that you begin to gain an understanding of precisely what’s involved.

Anyone with a paintbrush can call themselves a decorator and charge you good money for it, so do make sure, if you are hiring someone to come and take care of your most valuable asset, that they can do what they are being paid to do. Asking for a professional quote is quick and easy. It’s best to get no more than three quotes, avoiding the cheapest as it may be that they are cheap for a good reason. Check each out first, seek word of mouth recommendations as these tend to be the most genuine reviews of a tradesman’s work. You don’t want to be paying someone else to come and clean up another less able professionals mess, so it’s well worth doing your homework.

However, if you have decided to forgo expert input, then it’s entirely feasible to do a great job yourself, but planning is critical. Aside from a full renovation, nothing beats the pure satisfaction of standing back and admiring your handy work. Help is at hand, the experts have given a few tips on how to turn your paint-ow to paint-wow!

Top Tip Number 1

Decorating your home isn’t as simple as it looks. Otherwise, we would all be doing it full time! The right equipment for the job is essential, and it pays to shop around. Do your research, when looking for great tool reviews and helpful tips ToolNerds.com is a great resource. Always use the best quality brushes, paints and rollers that you can afford. Nothing destroys the soul more than applying the perfect first coat of paint, only to discover half the paint brushes bristles are now stuck on your wall, especially when using gloss! Spending a little more may seem extravagant, but the result is much better for your overall decor and your blood pressure to boot!

Top Tip Number 2

Time spent on recce is rarely wasted, the same goes for preparation when it comes to home decoration and should take up the majority of your time. Proper planning will ensure not only that you have a far superior result but also that when you put paint on the wall, it’s a far more enjoyable task. So make sure any wallpaper scraping, plastering holes, cleaning up the grouting or filling in cracks in the silicone is all taken care of well in advance of you ever picking up a paintbrush. Don’t forget to use masking tape and old newspapers to cover all window sills too. Move out furniture, take pictures down, not ignoring the lamp shade if painting the ceiling.

This will serve you well in the long term, even if it feels like a longer, more drawn out process. Make sure you also research the type of paint you intend to use and its suitability for the room in which you are painting. For example, will a gloss finish in the kitchen ensure spills are cleaned up with ease or perhaps a wipeable matt will be good for your child’s room? Again, swatching each room with tester colours and set designs for each wall will take out some of the frustration you may feel if you open your paint without deciding the best place for it first.

Top Tip Number 3

The saying “You get what you pay for” is very true when it comes to choosing which paint to purchase. ‘One coat’ paint isn’t always a smart budget choice as may be less hardy, ending up costing you more in touch-ups in the long run. If you gravitate towards a good quality, branded paint, it should put you in a better position than that of its less reliable non branded cousins. Once again, checking reviews from previous customers should help you make a more informed decision. Combine a good quality paint with a decent brush. Otherwise, you may find a cheaper alternative creates more work for you by holding much less colour! These tips will save your back if not your wallet.

Top Tip Number 4

Once you start, make sure to do all your cutting in and edges first. A professional will concentrate on this before all else, so make sure you do too.  Paint under windows, door frames, corners and all crevices before getting to work on the rest of the painting. This will make sure that the bulk painting will be finished quicker as it prevents any stop starting with different size brushes and rollers. If you ever take a good look at a professional contractor at work, first look at his hands. The paint will be on the wall, not on their hands, and there is a simple way to achieve this. Start from the top and work downwards. Only dip your brush approximately a quarter of the way into the pot, or you risk excess paint pouring down the brush and all over your hand. Not only that but the floors may well suffer from drips too so as part of your planning and preparation make sure dust sheets are used to avoid spending as many days cleaning up as you do painting.  

Top Tip Number 5

Dress the part. Making sure you are appropriately attired will help you feel like you are doing a ‘proper’ job and put you in the correct mindset. Make sure you wear overalls, or clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty as worrying about paint smears on your clothes will only detract from your concentration.  Overall, take it seriously and consider your safety too.  If you are using ladders or scaffolding make sure you are competent and confident to do so and use a paint kettle that will hang easily from such a structure. Clear away all plants and other obstructions against the wall.  Finally, keep all of your tools in one place and clean them after each use, no matter how exhausted you are.

These are just a few ways of painting with panache. Taking your time to cover each stage will result in a fantastic end project.