What you need to paint your house like a professional

Painting is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to redecorate your home. You can hire a professional or learn to do it yourself. A fresh lick of paint can give your space a new lease of life and improve the value of your home. Home renovations can be very expensive, especially if you add an extension or completely redo a room. It’s good to save money where you can so you can spend it on high-quality furniture or new technology. 

You can either hire a professional to do the job and pay something like £160 per day for their service. Or you can learn to paint yourself and save some cash. Here is everything you need to paint your house like a professional.

Quality paint 

It can be tempting to buy value paint to save money. However, value paint often requires more coats and can still end up having a poor finish. It can actually be better value to invest in high-quality paint that applies seamlessly and withstands the test of time. Consider using certain paints for each room of the house – for example, the kitchen needs paint that can withstand grease and constant cleaning. You will need water-resistant paint for the bathroom and durable paint for the kids’ playroom or bedroom. 

Brushes and rollers

One roller is not enough. You need multiple rollers and different brush sizes to paint the wall, skirting board, trim, and corners. The right brushes can help you complete the job to the best standard – and avoid leaving paint where it isn’t needed. Do some research before your painting project to learn which brushes and rollers should be used where.

Preparatory items

Preparing the surface can make a huge difference for amateur paintwork. Cover any wall decorations, like light fixtures and cupboards in masking tape to get clean lines and edges. Make sure the masking tape is applied flat and securely so the paint can’t leak under any bubbles in the tape. Remove the tape when the paint is still wet or partially dry to get a crisp edge. If you pull the tape when the paint is fully dry, you risk pulling parts of the paint off the wall. 

You may also need items like sandpaper and caulk to prepare surfaces, and sheets to cover your surroundings. 

Strategy and technique

Move and cover all the room’s furniture to make your job as easy as possible. Cover your flooring with a protective sheet to stop paint splatters from damaging them and to give you more freedom with your painting technique. 

Clean off all the dirt and grime from the walls with a damp rag. You should also fill any cracks in the walls to create a smooth surface and seamless paint effect. Once everything is covered and taped, you can begin painting. Professional painters tend to paint the trim first, then the ceiling and then the walls. Paint the entire wall at once and try to keep a wet edge as you use the roller.

Take your time painting the space and remember to keep a steady hand!