Over the last two weeks, I have been a painting maniac. The family room, the kitchen, the dining nook, a bathroom, the dog. And we don’t even have a dog.
I’ll be showing you the results soon, but for now, I thought I would share a few of my favorite painting tips and tricks.
- Use a good brush. I used to think this didn’t matter. I was wrong. Invest $8-$12 in a good brush for cutting in your trim. I use a 2″ angled Purdy brush and it makes a big difference. I’ve also been known to use a small artist brush around detail work like cabinet molding.
- Paint in bare feet. I learned this trick after stepping in paint and tracking it on the carpet one too many times. Bare feet means you can feel the paint on your tootsies.
- To tape or not to tape…the choice is yours. It just depends on how steady your hand is. Sometimes I tape. Sometimes I don’t.
- I always start painting a room on the least conspicuous wall. It sometimes takes a while to get my painting-mojo working, so if I’m going to screw up something, I want it to be on the least visible wall.
- Plan for takeout on painting day. You won’t feel like cooking or lifting your arms above your knees after painting for a few hours. We like chinese, but the choice is yours.
- When you’re stepping off the chair or ladder, always look where you’re going. Otherwise, you may step in the paint can. Think I’m kidding? This picture was from last year when I painted my powder room. Is it weird that I screamed for The Hubster to get the camera?
If you are totally clueless about how to paint a room, I like this article on HowStuffWorks.com.
What is your best painting tip?
{ 55 comments }
My best tip? Buy good-quality paint. If you’re going to invest so much of your valuable time in a project, go ahead and spend a few dollars more to get good paint.
And I swear by those E-Z-Edger things. . . I can’t paint a straight line to save my life, even with a good brush. But even with the edger, you’ll need a good brush–use the brush to spread out the paint you applied with the edger. Used by itself, the edger can apply way too much paint in a small area. Edger + brush = excellent results.
Can’t wait to see photos of your work!!
Richella´s last blog ..Home is. . .
Can’t wait to see the results!
go with your gut instinct when it comes to color choice. over 20 years i’ve made two color choice mistakes – both times because i didn’t listen to the inner voice.
lauren´s last blog ..closure
So true. That’s when I make mistakes too.
Your paint-dipped sandal made me smile. Totally something that would happen to me! =)
Michela´s last blog ..a day off
Frog Tape — the green one. i used to use the typical blue painter’s tape but the green stuff is 1000x better. i will never go back!
What’s the difference between the blue and green tape? I’ve been asking that question at paint stores and lumber yards for several months and not really gotten an answer. Thanks!
Abbie´s last blog ..Why
The green Frog Tape is treated with something that causes the edges to seal when they’re covered with paint. It really works well to keep the paint from seeping underneath when you’re edging.
It’s more expensive than the regular blue painters tape, but it’s worth it. Especially for things like painting stripes on walls.
I just tried it for the first time when I cut in my kitchen. I’m convinced!
YES! Frog tape! I just tried it for the first time and I’m convinced. It is soooo much better than the blue stuff. The edge really does seal and keep the paint from seeping under.
Another resounding vote for Frog tape!
With an older home and gorgeous mahoganey woodwork that stuff is amazing. A couple dollars a roll more than the blue tape but totally worth it.
My best tip is don’t trust the lighting in Lowes! It is completely off. Buy one of those mini cans, and use it on a large poster board. Then hold the poster board up in the room that you are painting- at night and during the day.
And if you are throwing away the mini can, make sure the top is on securely and your plastic bag does not have a hole in it. Otherwise it will explode on your kitchen floor- all over your stuff. RIP Coach wristlet.
Katie@Yoga Gal´s last blog ..Tune for Tuesday: John Lennon Edition
Oh no! A true Coach tragedy.
I love color!~ Looks like you have been busy!~ I linked up to your party, thank you for hosting:)
debbie´s last blog ..FrOm TrAsh to TreAsure~
I agree with the good brush – learned that real quick after painting miles and miles of edging!
And I like barefoot too except in two cases: 1) standing on a ladder for hours hurts in bare feet and 2) it’s too cold if you are painting in January and have to have the windows open for ventilation! (at least if you live in Kansas)
My last one is use canvas drop cloths – more money, but will last forever, absorb paint and stay put!
Abbie´s last blog ..Why
Good points!
I the canvas drop cloths are less slippery too. I’ve used the plastic ones and I always end up slipping on them.
Screaming for the camera would have been the first thing I did, too
Our tip is to lay all of our paint chips for all the different rooms together to be sure they gel. There is nothing more jarring than to see two rooms side by side with strange, unrelated colors!
Jennifer Juniper´s last blog ..Stuff I Learned – Tutorial Tuesday Wrap Up
YES! Totally agree.
Thankfully someone pointed that out to me before I chose colors for my kitchen (which you see a bit from the dining room) and the dining room (which is mostly open to the living room) and the living room (which is yet to be de-wallpapered and painted).
Abbie´s last blog ..Why
Great tips!!! I’m getting ready to paint my kitchen and daughter’s room….so these are very handy! Love the pic of your poor birks!
Tonya´s last blog ..{another installment of totally random tuesday}
great tips! that picture is hilarious!!
Heather´s last blog ..A Call to All Scrapbookers!
Oh how I hate to paint. Love the outcome, hate to paint. I have stepped in the can like that before, it kinda makes you want to swear. My advise is to always do more than one coat. You may want to stop but it will last longer and look better if you go for at least the second coat.
Brooke
Brooke´s last blog ..Got Boys? or Husband?
Great tips! My hubby is the painter in our family, and he refused to paint unless he has a really good brush. I know not to mess with his paint brushes when I attempt sometime crafty! The barefoot tip is great…I would much rather get a little paint on my feet than all over the house!
Kelli´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Pirate Cowboys
I have been painting too. I love the Purdy brush. I have a 1 1/2 inch and a 2 inch brush. I bought the HD paint w/ primer mix and it didn’t cover so I went back and they gave me regular HD paint. IT DID NOT MATCH! It was just a shade off and I had to paint the whole room again and it isn’t the color I wanted. I am sick:(
Melanie´s last blog ..A girl, a camera, a class, & Karen Russell.
GAH! That’s horrible!
And good to know. Won’t be trying that!
Don’t buy the HD primer/paint if you have to paint over a darker color. I am still sick over the room. It is a lilac color and I was going for a pale pink. I am going to do a blog post on it and see what everyone thinks:( UGH!
Melanie´s last blog ..A girl, a camera, a class, & Karen Russell.
How would you touch up the ceiling if you were not so careful?
Melissa´s last blog ..I had a Revelation
Based on my history, I wouldn’t.
I have 3 spotches of paint on the kitchen ceiling where the paint FLEW when I was hammering the lid back on the can. And another one in the bathroom where I bumped it with the roller. No one notices. At least I like to think they don’t.
I just saw someone post that they run a thin line of white caulk where the wall and ceiling meet after they paint. It makes the line look much cleaning. I can’t find the post. Anyone know where I saw that?
Tip for that: cover lid with rag before hammering. I learned that one the hard way, too!
pendy´s last blog ..Easter and Engagement Weekend
sounds like you’ve been doing what I’ve been doing…so much painting! Love my purdy 2″ brush…because of it…I never tape and I couldn’t be happier with my cutting in…love the pic of your foot in paint…we had a few near misses this past week:)
Teri´s last blog ..My sister left me today:(
Hilarious! I’m painting my hallways this weekend…I will be sure not to step in my paint
I always end up stepping in the drippings though and end up with polka dotted soles.
Danielle @ Life on Dahlia Lane´s last blog ..Giveaway Reminder
Take off all jewelry or you will clean it for days after. And, most importantly, realize the power of tape and take your time taping before you start painting. A little extra time in the beginning is worth it for better results later.
elz´s last blog ..Being an Adult is Hard -#156
We used a brush with a short handle to cut in on our last project and I really liked it! I felt like I had better control over it.
ally´s last blog ..Welcome on in!
Kimba, these are great tips! I too have been a painting manic here…it must be in the air! lol I am wondering if you just might have painted the neighbors dog…what color? lol I had to laugh about the shoe…I too have done this!!
I agree, Purdy brushes are the best and I have been painting away with my angle brush too. Can’t wait to see what you have been up too…
Have a great day!
Hugs,
Victoria
Victoria@Whimsy by Victoria´s last blog ..Farmtable Island Reveal…
I agree with the Purdy angled brush… I never tape when using it.
My best tip: invest in a $99 foldable scaffold. I got mine at Lowe’s. It folds up and takes up about six inches of closet space. It is life-changing when painting…no ladders…no stepping from one kitchen stool to the next…all your stuff is within reach. Seriously the best Valentine I EVER got (and yes, I did ask for it!).
I just checked…price is now 110…still worth it…here’s the link:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_145287-287-PS-48_4294858114_4294937087?productId=1017649&pl=1¤tURL=/pl_Scaffolding%2Band%2BSystems_4294858114_4294937087_?cm_cr=Ladders%20and%20Scaffolding-_-Web%20Activity-_-Ladders%20and%20Scaffolding_A1_Activity-_-SC_Ladders%20%20Scaffolding_Area1-_-19611_5
pendy´s last blog ..Easter and Engagement Weekend
Now I bet that wasn’t easy, stepping in a can of paint. Never knew anyone who did that….lol
grannyann´s last blog ..Did you get April Fooled?
We just painted our living room two weeks ago so the experience is fresh in my mind… your tips on spot on!
Molly´s last blog ..Turn a Placemat Into A Little Boy’s Toolbelt
That’s hilarious! I love that you screamed for your hubby to get the camera . . . a true blogger! Love it. Can’t wait to see all the painting!
Stephenie´s last blog ..Trailer Inspiration
You’re too funny
!!
My best painting tips: learn how to cut in without taping…it saves soooo much time! Ask a friend who likes to paint to come over for a “painting party” and treat them to dinner — fun & it makes the painting go quicker! Don’t paint when you’re feeling impatient, that’s when you’ll make mistakes!
Blessings,
Stacey
I am planning on painting my bedroom and shared bathroom soon. I am so ready for a new look! You, the Nester, and Melissa @ The Inspired Room have all been great help!
I agree about the brushes. I generally use Purdy, although I have used a Rubbermaid, from Walmart of all places, and found I liked the slimmer handle better for my small hands. So it depends on how much cutting in I have to do. I love the foot in the paint photo – I often wear my Birks while painting
.
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home´s last blog ..Burlap, Jute and Cork Glass Spheres
A good paint brush is the KEY, so true!
And yes, it is hilarious that you told your husband to get the camera! We do silly things as bloggers, but we are creating some GREAT memories for our family to look back on.
Traci´s last blog ..Wednesdays with Wanda
One quick tip. In addition to the already mentioned painting bare foot, I always have a pair of socks to put on my feet when stepping away from the painting area. 1) It double ensures that I won’t step on the carpet with wet paint on my feet but 2) If you have stepped in paint, even if it’s already dry, it doesn’t combine well with hard wood floors…it peels off your feet and sticks to that instead. Not fun. We learned that the hard way when painting in a carpeted room and thinking we were all good walking on the hardwood floors. But, if you do happen to get it on the hardwood floors, a little bit of denatured alcohol can pick it up.
Kay´s last blog ..Project Life: Week 13
I can’t cut in if I don’t have a good quality angled brush. I love the Purdy brand myself.
Can’t wait to see the finished products!!!
Myra @ My Blessed Life´s last blog ..Thrifty Finds & I Need Your Advice!
You and I are in the same miserable boat right now. I’ve been a painting fool for weeks, and the thought of a paintbrush in my hand could very well push me over the edge! Can’t wait to see all your progress!
Chris´s last blog ..Show and Share Day
I honestly laughed out loud at that photo of your foot covered in paint. That is just so funny and so real… thanks for posting it!
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking´s last blog ..My Father’s Workbench Gets a New Home
My best painting tip is to wrap your brush in tin foil to keep it moist while you take your breaks or even overnight. When you unwrap the brush it’s still moist and ready to use. I have been painting machine too lately. It seems once you finish one room, all the others start screaming for change too!
I love that you had your hubby take a picture of your foot dipped in paint!!! Thanks for keeping it real!
Rachel´s last blog ..Girly Feet
I paint constantly – EVERYTHING. I wear the same ratty paint splattered outfit every time. This way I can just wipe my hands anywhere on my body without worrying. I also have a damp rag handy to touch things up or clean a drip, etc.
I think the takeout for dinner is GREAT advice! Happy painting.
-FringeGirl
I really just LAUGHED OUT LOUD. The baby is sleeping and I might be in for a long night if he wakes up but I tell you the photo of you with your tootsie in yellow paint, ahhh, that is some funny stuff
. Thanks for the laugh!
Bugs & Sunshine´s last blog ..Little Friends
oh yeah, thanks for the tips, that’s some good stuff and now i want some fried rice!
Bugs & Sunshine´s last blog ..Little Friends
Love the tips… and that picture is priceless!
Pati @ A Crafty Escape´s last blog ..Scrappy Magnets
I use styrofoam cups to put the paint in. Easy to hold and I don’t feel guilty about throwing them out when I am done. I label it on the outside with a pen “trim” or “wall” or “living room” (if I am doing more than one room at a time). Wrap the paint brushes in plastic wrap and keep in the fridge if you aren’t going to be using them, and cover the cups and put them in the fridge too.
If you want to paint over wallpaper but not see the seams, paint it with Kilz first, then texture it with some wall “mud” and a putty knife. Randomly skim the mud over the wall, making sure that you cover the seams. Don’t put it on too thickly, or it will take forever to dry, and try to keep it pretty smooth. If it dries and there are sharp ridges, knock them down with sandpaper, or a wet rag. Allow to dry again. Then paint normally after that. I’ve remodeled three houses doing this, and it works great!
I pretty much plan on painting the ceiling when painting the room. I know that I’ll accidentally hit the ceiling with my roller, so having some Kilz and ceiling paint on hand gets me out of that mess.
I loved your tips. I might add if I can’t/won’t move all the furniture out of the room old bed sheets make great coverups, especially if painting ceiling. I have a habit of using the same brand (Dutch Boy)and tint(soft white) ceiling paint. Paint the ceiling first and 1/2″ down wall, paint walls next day. Using same paint on all ceilings alows you to fix paint boo-boos and if you need to touch up ceiling it can be done with dabing motion with a foam brush ,12 assorted sizes at wal-mart for about $1.19.
Just painted master Bedroom and bath. Did bath 1st and took 4 tries to get right color. whole bath painted 4times 2 coats. Wife and I BOTH like the color now.
I got this tip somewhere and always use it. Whatever color you use on the walls have the quart size formula used in a gallon of ceiling white. This makes your ceiling an off white shade of the wall color. Flat white ceilings are so cold and the off white makes the moldings pop.
My apologies, I can’t help but laugh out loud at your poor foot (AND shoe!) covered in paint! Oh I think i would just cry!!! Thanks for the tips darling! I think I like the Chinese one best