If you’ve just read our Reasons to declutter post you may have decided your house could do with a fresh new look. Painting and decorating can be time consuming but as soon as you get things looking right it can give you a great sense of satisfaction. We’ve put together our 10 Top Tips for painting and decorating, hopefully they will safe you time and some may even save your money.
1 – Alexander Graham Bell was once quoted as saying “Preparation is the key to success” – This is very important if you wish your decorating session to be a success. Make sure you have all the tools you require and the correct quantities of paint and wallpaper. Prepare your walls and floors by removing pictures or carpets and laying down dust sheets and covers over anything that remains in the room.
2 – Use masking tap with a low tack – If you’re painting corners or decorative stripes on your walls, we advise you use a low tack masking tape to prevent damage to wall when you remove the tape.
3 – Invest in a decent wallpaper pasting table – If you want a good start when it comes to wallpapering, make sure you have a good pasting table. Cheaper tables may save you money but can bow in the middle after a few uses which would lead to wallpaper tearing whilst pasting.
4 – Remove handles and cover light switches – Unless you have an incredibly still hand you may find it hard to paint around handles and switches without getting any paint on them. We recommend removing handles before painting and using masking tape to protect light switches and power sockets from getting splashed.
5 – Prevent paint drips with just an elastic band – Everyone dread the drips and splashes that can occur from dipping your paintbrush in and out of the paint can. A simple way to help reduce the drips is to stretch an elastic band over the paint can so that you can swipe the excess paint off your brush after each dip.
6 – Keep everything level – When painting and decorating you may find you’re constantly lining things up or trying to get things in the right place. To help you get things looking sharp we suggest you buy a level so that everything is straight and in line. If you don’t have the time to buy one and have a smart phone there are many apps which replicate the purpose of a level.
7 – Make sure you mix your paste well – If you don’t mix your wallpaper paste well, you may find you develop lumpy walls once your paste is applied. This is easily resolved by giving your paste a good mix.
8 – Don’t skimp on your brushes – Cheap brushes are great for decorating areas that won’t be seen or for using to apply glue that items will attach to. But if you intend on painting visible areas we advise you invest in a good quality brush that won’t leave half its bristles on the wall with the paint.
9 – A new blade on your Stanley knife will safe you tears – If you are wallpapering you will find the easiest way to cut wallpaper to size is by using a metal ruler and a Stanley knife. We recommend replacing any old or overused blades to prevent rips and tears in your paper when cutting.
10 – Start as you mean to go on – If wallpapering, it’s incredibly important to make sure your first strip of wallpaper placed on the wall is straight. If it’s slightly off then each piece that follows will be slightly off to. This is when your level will come in handy.
For more tips visit our Painting and Decorating Tips Pinterest board.
Tags: 10 top tips, Decorating Tips, Painting and Decorating, Wallpapering
