As the holiday season comes closer, it’s time to give your home a much-needed makeover, and what better way to get started than a paint job?
However, if you’re going to be painting an apartment, there are certain things to keep in mind. Since apartments are smaller and have quite a lot of variation as compared to regular homes, the way you paint your house needs to be altered.
In this article, we’ll talk about 6 crucial things you need to keep in mind when you play the role of an apartment painter and give your home a fresh coat of color.
- Prep your walls properly
The first step to remember before you get started on painting your home is giving your walls a good prep. Prep refers to the cleaning and priming process. Firstly, you need to clean your walls thoroughly. Otherwise, the dust that is present will prevent the painting from adhering to the surface. For this, all you need is a solution of laundry detergent and lukewarm water. Once your walls are clean and dry, the next step is to prime them. Primer is essential because it smoothes your walls and makes them even. This helps the paint apply evenly all across the wall.
- Get the right supplies
Getting the right kind of supplies is crucial for any painting job. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time dealing with the problems that will arise. Right supplies refer to the correct type of paint and suitable tools. When you’re choosing your paint, make sure that you look at criteria other than just “color”. For instance, if you’re going to be applying the paint to your bathroom, it needs to be water and mold-resistant. Similarly, if the room you’re painting gets a lot of sunlight, the paint needs to be resistant to harsh light. If you have children in your home, and they tend to draw on the walls, the paint needs to be easily washable.
- Divide and conquer
Since apartments are smaller than regular suburban homes, there is a higher chance of you overlapping the paint. This can create an uneven and ugly look and even lead to problems like paint peeling. If you’re a first-time painter, getting an idea of where to begin can also be frustrating. The best way to solve such a problem is by dividing the area you have to cover into as many parts as suitable. The go-to amount is 3, but you can section it further if you feel like it. Use painter’s tape to create the various sections, and go-on painting one-by-one. This is an excellent way to get the painting done without feeling overwhelmed.
- Create a color palette with accents
One of the best things about an apartment, which can also be one of the worst for some people, is its size. Since apartments tend to be smaller, you can create and execute a color palette with ease. With larger homes, it can get difficult to color coordinate different rooms. But this becomes easier with smaller spaces like apartments. Once you’ve chosen your main color, choose 2-3 corresponding colors that complement the main one. These colors can be used on window sills, doors, door frames, etc. If you’re not sure how to go about choosing accent colors, do some research on the net or take a professional opinion.
- Do a patch test
While we’re talking about colors, make sure that you do a patch test of the colors you chose before committing yourself entirely. Many tints tend to look good in the tin or on a swatch card, but don’t look as great on walls. Similarly, while you may like the color, there is a possibility that it may not suit your home. So before you dedicate yourself to the color, do a patch test of it in one room. If it looks good go ahead, and if not, it’s back to the drawing board. Now, this might seem like too much effort but it will prevent a lot of future trouble.
- Keep your things safe
Protecting your belongings and furniture is crucial before painting but this is even more important in the case of apartments. Since the amount of space available is lesser, there is a higher chance of painting getting everywhere and ruining your things. So before you embark on your painting project, make sure that you cover everything with protective materials. The best material to use is here is cotton drop cloth, since they’re absorbent and do not move around, unlike plastic sheets or tarp. They’re also more reliable and less likely to rip or tear.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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