Read this article on Redfin
Whether you’re planning on painting the interior or exterior of your home, adding a fresh coat of paint is one of the simplest ways to update your space.
We’ve worked with paint experts to answer homeowner’s most frequent questions – ensuring that your summer paint projects go off without a hitch.
1. Should I Pick Interior Paint Color or Furniture First?
When designing a room, New Look Painting recommends always deciding on your furniture first. Then use your furniture for inspiration in choosing your wall colors. Subtleties and undertones in paint colors are more easily matched to the furniture than the other way around. By opting to paint your walls first and then purchasing the furniture, you may find yourself repainting the walls to match your new decor.
2. Can I Paint Over Wallpaper? Or Should I Remove It?
Supreme Painting explains that short answer is yes, but if possible the wallpaper should be removed prior to adding a texture or painting. If the water in the paint gets to the glue, it might release the paper from the wall causing bubbles in the wallpaper which would be noticeable after painting. If you just have to paint over wallpaper, it is a good idea to prime it with an oil-based primer to seal and protect from water.
3. What Type of Paint Should I use to Make a Room Look Bigger?
Elegant Painting recommends four steps for making a room look bigger with paint:
- Choose similar shades of the same color for walls, ceilings, and trim. In other words, minimize the contrast between surfaces. Choosing contrasting colors will divide up your space and make it appear smaller.
- Stick to lighter colors. Stay with whites and off-whites. Light grays and taupe are great choices as well.
- Choose Sherwin William’s® high reflective white for the ceiling. High reflective white is a very bright white that will make your ceilings appear higher.
- Order lighter shades of your favorite colors. Most paint stores can mix your colors at 50% or 25%.
4. What About if I’m Trying to Avoid Toxins While Painting my Home Interior?
Paint Green has found that choosing your type of paint has the biggest impact on exposure to toxins. It’s easy to avoid the harmful chemicals of past times by using non-toxic paint and materials. In the rare occasion that you need to use toxic paint indoors, keeping your windows open and fans on for 24-48 hours after painting will help.
Better yet, take a vacation while the project is going on for the best (and most fun) way to avoid the vapors and off-gassing.