A space’s paint finish has to do with how much sheen the paint on your wall has when it dries. The types of paint finishes range from being flat or matte to high-gloss. In between we have eggshell, satin and semi-gloss. These options can get a little overwhelming, so here are some things to consider while choosing a type of paint finish for your space.
Durability
The more sheen a paint finish gives you, the more expensive it can be. Sometimes, investing the extra bucks can also mean the paint is of better quality. Putting on a high-gloss coat ensures that you don’t have to worry about paint chipping off in just a year or two. If you feel that it’s too expensive, you can lower the sheen and choose an eggshell or satin finish. This finish won’t provide as much protection, but will fall into a more an affordable price range.
Paint color
It’s a common notion to believe high-gloss is always the best choice. However, just because the wall looks ultra shiny does not mean the sheen is well suited for the color. In fact, darker shades of paint already have a lot of gloss in them, which boosts the sheen. When high-gloss is further applied it might end up highlighting the flaws of the wall, if the surface is not well prepared beforehand.
Movement in the room
Lower sheen can equate to dirty walls, so keep in mind the purpose of the room being painted. In the kitchen we often use a variation of high-gloss to ensure that grease generated while cooking does not stick to the walls, and can be easily cleaned off. Similarly, you can balance out that ultra shine with a flat finish on upper walls and ceilings and low-traffic rooms because less traffic means less dirt accumulation.
Requirements
Before you choose the finish of your wall, consider why you are choosing sheen instead of just regular paint. Sheen can work as a cover up for rough walls. On the other hand, matte can create a sculptural finish on the wall. Choosing a different finish for just one wall in the room can also add to the character of a room without too much effort. Not only that, changing the sheen can also alter the undertone of the color you paint on your walls.
Play with light
Sheen is a great light reflector. Use it to your advantage to brighten up a dark or small space. On the contrary, you can also use matte finish on the walls of a larger space to give off a cozy feel to your otherwise airy space. Given that the paint finish can impact the overall feel of your space, consider all your options.
The finish of your walls can be altered and customized to benefit your needs. It can also be used to enhance or diminish the effect of light, space and color psychology. Plan and paint your walls with a finish that you will enjoy and embrace!
Are you thinking of painting your walls and are unsure whether you should do it yourself or hire a paint contractor? If you’re into DIYs, then painting your walls yourself is definitely a thought that has crossed your mind. But if you’re not one of those people, then painting your walls yourself is definitely something you consider a hassle. Either way, painting an entire room or an entire house may prove to be more work than you might actually think. To make your decision a little easier, here are some of the pros and cons of painting your walls yourself:
PROS
Control:
A DIY on your walls means you have full control over everything: which shade you want to paint your walls, how you want to paint them and what you want to do with your walls. Some paint contractors may not get the way you envisioned your walls to be colored (though this is unlikely with the right contractor). So, a DIY job will save you the hassle of explaining yourself to someone and will let you take charge.
Cost:
It is cheaper if you choose to paint your walls yourself. You can save a bit of money as the only things you would need to buy are paint supplies and paint. You won’t need to pay for the labor cost. If your family and friends are looking to take on a DIY project then you could ask them to lend a hand at a “Painting Party,” which could be quite fun. This will save you time and you won’t have to pay for the labor. Just provide pizza and beer!
CONS
Quality:
Quality is one of the few things you might have to compromise if you choose not to hire a professional. Your walls might not have the same polished and professional look and might end up with uneven coats of paints and mismatched spots. Professionals are called professionals for a reason.
Time:
Another downside of painting your walls yourself is that the work might not finish in the time that you allotted. The initial plan of finishing the work during a weekend can extend up to a couple of weekends. Plus, the paint finish might not be as you intended it to be. There are multiple things that can hold you back such as unplanned work commitments and family responsibilities and something you didn’t expect! Hiring a painting contractor will ensure your work is finished in an allotted time, something which will most likely get altered if you take on the task.
Skill:
Professionals can undoubtedly do a better job of painting spaces which required a bit of skill such as places with strange lighting or spaces that require a lot of preparation. It is better and more practical to hire a contractor and have their team get the job done well, than to realize that it’s just out of your depth, and hire a contractor after wasting time, energy and resources.
So are you still in a conundrum or have you made up your mind?
When it comes to selecting colors for our home décor, we stick to what we see in social media or to colors we are hardwired to like. Color consultations keep in mind your tastes and trends to come up with what appeals to a larger audience. Here are 6 reason why you should book a color consultant before selecting colors for your painting project.
Color Psychology
Any color used in décor can have a very strong impact on people. A color consultant is perhaps the best person who can accurately name shades that work best for you and your family. They can link the needs of our mind with a color to balance and add to a soothing comfortable décor. You might be able to state orange used in walls has a positive effect on a child’s brain but a color consultant will be able to tell you what specific shade of orange works best for your child’s room in accordance with lighting and space.
Knowledge
We may know stuff we read here and there, but color consultants are trained experts. If you are sick, you pay a visit to a certified doctor. Similarly, if you are feeling confused between colors, pay a visit to a color consultant. You may be a big fan of blue, but only a consultant can specify and explain the extensive number of undertones blue has.
They put your need first
Color consultants are hired to cater to your needs. You may think that you already know what you want and need, so why get a consultant? A consultant will actively participant in the discussion and refine your thoughts and wants to create a harmonizing color palette.
Expertise
A consultant will most likely have handled many more clients like you and they’ve experienced all the pitfalls that can arise when furnishing a space. In fact, once you brief them about your needs, an experienced consultant will be able to tell which shop to go to and what exact item you should get while having already calculated how the color will reflect with the space and shape of the area.
Cost efficient
If you’ve ever painted a room, you know that the color you chose on that little color swatch, rarely looks like the final result on your walls. The lighting and decor of the room has a major effect on how the color will look once it’s been painted on and dried. Color consultants have the experience to foresee this and will have a much better idea of what the final color will look like when all is said and done. This dramatically reduces the chance of you having to paint again once you have finished.
Whether you are planning to repaint one room or your entire house, a color consultant is the person who will clear your doubts and lead you through the most colorful path.
Thinking of repainting your foyer but are unsure as to make it into a DIY project or hire a professional contractor? Although, painting the walls yourself and saving some bucks might seem tempting, painting is a challenge that requires a lot of skill, finesse and patience. There is a reason why the professionals are called professionals. So, here are some of the benefits of hiring a professional to paint your space:
Prep work
Regardless of the quality of your paint or equipment, without the correct prep work, the paint job won’t look good and it will end up compromising the look that you’re aiming for. Professionals know how to correctly scrape the walls, clean out the spots and stains and smoothen out the surface to ensure the paint job will be durable and look perfect.
Cost effective
It may seem like painting your foyer yourself can be cost effective and save you the initial cost of hiring a professional, but in the long run it ends up being less cost effective. A professional contractor will advise you on how much to spend on paint and other materials and they can offer advice on color options for your foyer. Additionally, hiring a professional will save you the money of either buying or renting equipment, which is an expensive hidden cost. Plus, professionals do a better job because they know what they are doing, so the durability of your paint job pay off their price.
Quality
You might not get the polished and professional looking paint job if you’re painting it yourself. Knowledge about things such as color tint and quantity of paint to be used, is something that differentiates a professional from a non-professional. Also, uneven coats of paint can lead to premature discoloration and mismatched spots. These are things a professional can easily avoid, as they have the appropriate tools and experience to ensure that the job is done the best possible way.
Saves time
Taking on a painting job is an added task along with your existing work and family responsibilities. Given that you need to make painting a part of your schedule, the work that you planned to finish during a weekend can extend up to a couple of weekends. Professionals, on the other hand, have a dedicated timeline to complete their work and can complete your paint job efficiently. So, you can save time and and get a professional finish!
Hassle free
While people may decide to paint their walls themselves, they often forget that they have to clean up after their mess. Another advantage of hiring a professional contractor is that they have their own cleaning crew and will clean up after their job is done. Consequently, you won’t have to worry preparing or wrapping up.
If you are in the mood to revamp your foyer, painting it is a great options. Just make sure you let a professional take on the task.
Painting the exterior of your home may not seem like a fun way to spend a weekend, but there are a few very good reasons to repaint your exterior if it hasn’t been done in a while.
Increase Market Value of Your Home
The most effective investments are those in which the amount you invest is a lot less than what you get in return. Repainting your exterior walls is one such effective investment. The cost of a professional paint job is typically overshadowed by the prospective increase in market value of your home. By maintaining the exterior of your house, you are looking at potential returns of up to 7%.
Protect Your Home
A study from Harvard University recently drew attention to the importance of exterior paint in the protection and upkeep of homes. Look at it this way, an exterior coat of paint is like the protective skin on your body. It protects the house from the weather, insects, and dust. Without it, the wood on the exterior of your home could begin to fail due to over exposure to natural forces. A good coat of paint will protect these areas from damaging effects of weather and will hold up under normal wear and tear. Taking the time and effort to protect your home from nature’s forces can avoid expensive repairs.
Reveals Areas of Repair
What happens if you do not repaint the exterior part of your house in time? It does not get the protection it requires. Most homeowners are unaware of the many minute things which are wrong with exterior until they take time to repaint it. The preparation work that goes into an exterior paint job will most likely reveal the various flaws that require attention. The great thing here is that under most circumstances, a new paint job will fix the minor flaws you come across.
Improve Curb Appeal
How do you make your house that house that everybody who passed it wished they lived in it? Just give the exterior a fresh new look. It goes a long way in reflecting the owner of the house and more than often, potential buyers will give initial consideration to how the house looks from the outside rather than what it looks like on the inside. It’s therefor only fair to assume if the house looks drab from the outside and has peeling paint, the interior is not worth viewing.
Step outside and look at your house’s exterior condition. You now have 4 top reasons to convince you into giving it a fresh new coat.
