Painting - "The Right Way"

Painting seems pretty simple, right? Pick a color you like, grab a few gallons of paint, some brushes and get to work! How hard could it really be? And yet, there’s quite a bit more to it. What you may think is a quick little weekend project, deserves more time and consideration. If you want the full effect of painting your home, there really is a “right way” to do it.

Paint is one of the most powerful design elements in your home. It can completely change how large or small a room feels, how bright it appears, how your furnishings look and even how you feel when you spend time in the space. But painting “the right way” involves much more than simply getting paint onto the walls. From proper preparation and application, to choosing the correct color and finish, there are quite a few decisions that can determine whether your newly painted room looks beautiful for years, or starts showing problems much sooner than expected.

A beautiful paint job really begins before the paint goes on. Poor preparation or improper application can result in peeling, bubbling, cracking, uneven texture, visible patches and inconsistent color. Paint applied over moisture issues or damaged surfaces can also hide a problem temporarily rather than actually addressing it. Skipping the groundwork might save some time in the beginning, but it can create much bigger problems later on. Here’s a list of steps to take to properly prep your walls for perfect paint:

• Clean the walls to remove dust, dirt, grease and residue that can prevent paint from adhering properly.

• Inspect for damage such as cracks, nail holes, dents, peeling paint or signs of moisture.

• Repair imperfections with the appropriate patching or joint compound and allow repairs to fully dry.

• Sand uneven areas to create a smooth, consistent surface and soften any rough patches or previous paint edges. Remove any sanding dust before moving forward so you’re starting with a completely clean surface.

• Prime when necessary, especially over repairs, stains, new drywall, drastic color changes or previously unpainted surfaces.

• Protect the surrounding areas by properly taping and covering trim, flooring, fixtures and furnishings before painting begins.

  
  

We talk a lot about quality of life when it comes to interior design. Your surroundings affect how you experience your home every single day. Imagine sitting in your living room and constantly noticing uneven paint lines around the ceiling. Or walking down the hallway and seeing roller marks every time sunlight hits the wall. Maybe the paint in your bathroom has started peeling because the wrong product or finish was used for a high-moisture environment.

These things may sound small, but when you see them day after day, they begin to affect how finished and cared for your home feels. The right paint product, preparation and application can also impact durability. Busy hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, children’s rooms and other frequently used spaces have very different needs compared to a formal dining room that is used occasionally. Choosing the correct and quality paint from the beginning can make walls easier to maintain and help your investment last much longer.

Now what about the colors! This is where things get really interesting. Have you ever picked the perfect paint color from a tiny sample, put it on the wall and thought, “Wait, that is NOT the same color!” Fun fact, you’re not imagining it! Color is affected by everything around it. Natural light, artificial lighting, the direction your windows face, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, furniture, fabrics and even neighboring wall colors can influence how a paint color appears in a room.

A beautiful soft beige in one home might suddenly look yellow in another. That sophisticated gray you loved online might turn blue or green next to your flooring. A gorgeous white can appear warm and creamy in one room and cold and stark in the next. This is exactly why choosing paint colors room-by-room without considering the rest of the home can get you into trouble.

Your home should tell one cohesive design story. That doesn’t mean every room needs to be the same color. Different spaces can absolutely have their own personalities. But there should be some relationship between them. As you move from the foyer into the living room, through the kitchen and into adjoining spaces, the colors should transition intentionally rather than feeling disconnected.

While color gets most of the attention, the finish matters too. Why does finish matter? 

• Flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and gloss finishes all interact with light differently and provide different levels of durability and cleanability. 

• The finish you choose can emphasize, or help minimize, imperfections on a wall. 

• It can make architectural details stand out, create quiet contrasts between walls and trim and affect how saturated a color appears.

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But how do you know what the right finish is for each space in your home? Think about how the room is actually used. Is it exposed to moisture? Does it need to be wiped down frequently? Are there children or pets? Is the wall perfectly smooth, or does it have imperfections you would rather not highlight? Is it a dramatic architectural feature where a little sheen could actually enhance the design? These are all part of choosing the right finish and achieving the best result.

Another fun fact, selecting a paint color isn't really about selecting one color, it’s about understanding how that color fits into the entire design of your home. An interior designer looks at your flooring, furniture, upholstery, window treatments, cabinetry, countertops, lighting, artwork and accessories. Designers look at undertones and how colors relate to one another. They consider the natural and artificial light throughout the day. They take into consideration what you already own, what may eventually be replaced and how one room visually connects to the next. Most importantly, designers look at your home as a whole. Paint is sometimes treated as the quick and easy part of a home project. In reality, it creates the backdrop for almost everything else in the room. Your beautiful new sofa sits against it. Your artwork hangs on it and your window treatments are viewed beside it. So why make it an afterthought or not give it the priority it deserves?

A properly painted home with thoughtfully selected colors can simply be more enjoyable to live in. And when the right products, preparation, colors and finishes are selected from the start, those results can continue looking beautiful for years.

Bella Home Interiors has been helping clients navigate color, finishes, furnishings and all of those little details that make a home come together for nearly three decades. Before you grab that paint swatch and start covering the walls, let us help make sure you’re painting “the right way.” Schedule a Design Consultation and let’s find the colors that make your entire home come together!