Is it time to give your walls a new lick of paint? Here are six things to consider if you want the best result.
No doubt that cracking and peeling signal it’s time to repaint. But it may also be time for an update when the colours of a room no longer excite you.
Remember when you last painted your living or dining room, your entrance hallway, den, kitchen or another room in your home? It felt so great just looking at the finished work, even before the furniture was moved back into place. That new colour scheme you selected-the clean, unmarred baseboard and molding that set off that room so well? The bright white ceiling that highlighted the whole space?
But it’s been a few years. How do you know when it’s time to repaint?
It is recommended that you do a walk-about in your home. If the walls or door frames are marred and a bit dirty, baseboards scuffed and dingy, or hairline “settling” cracks have appeared in ceilings, there’s no question that it’s time.
But suppose it still looks fresh and clean – is it worthwhile to once again plan a redo? Here’s a good tip. If you walk into a room and it doesn’t stir you, give you a little bit of a smile or warm your senses, or if it makes you feel the slightest bit sad, then repainting – with or without some new decorating touches – could be just what the doctor ordered.
A freshly painted room can definitely lift your spirits, and it’s probably the least expensive way to maintain or even add to the value of your house. Here are some quick and easy tips for making the most of your repainting experience:
1. Stand Tall
If you want to make your ceiling look taller and your room more spacious, paint the ceiling in a lighter version of the wall colour, or try an airy colour like pale blue or soft gray. The corners of the room will recede to reveal a soft canopy of colour.
2. Small is Beautiful, Too
Embrace your small space with a simple scheme of vibrant colour defined by white or black trim and accents.
3. Warm is Welcome
Large and busy rooms benefit from earthy, inviting colours that create a cozy, relaxing ambience and make people feel comfortable. Choose paint colours in deep ochre, rusty red, and burnt orange to make large rooms feel more livable, and busy rooms more serene.
4. Light Colours Recede
Hallways and small areas will seem less confining with pale, cool and neutral colours because they reflect light. Paired with good light fixtures, these transitional spaces will feel more like part of the house.
5. Take Charge
Deep, bold colours can be surprisingly versatile. Rich royal blue walls become cheerful with fresh orange or citrus yellow accents. And paired with graphic accents of black, white or gray, almost any daring colour becomes fresh and modern.
6. Go White and Bright
To show off colourful furnishings and vibrant prints, think of your space as an art gallery with clean white walls and ceilings in a flat finish. Stay away from muddy antique whites, opting instead for crisp, clean tints to create the perfect canvas for bold strokes of colour.
A friendly reminder that tenants renting their home should always contact their landlord prior to engaging in any painting project.
Original article from rew.ca