You’ve made the decision that it’s time to start painting. There are three primary considerations you will need to make: how much paint to purchase, which colors to choose, and which paintbrush is most suited for the work in question. We’ll go over all you need to know about painting walls solely with a brush in this article, so stay tuned!
Determine the Quantity of Paint You’ll Need
Understanding the Surface Area to Be Painted
The first step is to calculate how much space is available for painting in the room. In order to achieve this, you’ll need to take measurements of the room’s dimensions. Calculate the square footage by adding the four walls’ lengths and multiplying by the room’s height.
Next, presuming that there are windows and doors in the room that will not be painted the same shade as the walls, you may deduct the width of each of them from your figures to determine how much surface area you’ll actually need to paint.
Since You’ve Calculated Your Painting Area …
Figuring out the area that requires painting is a great accomplishment. How much coverage will you receive from a gallon of paint? For starters, a gallon container of paint can encompass 370 sq. ft. on average. You must take into account a few elements while using these basic guidelines. It is necessary to use somewhat more paint on drywall that has not yet been previously painted since it tends to absorb more paint. The number of coats of paint necessary to completely cover the area must also be taken into account.
Two coats of paint may be necessary for unfinished, badly patched, or darkly colored walls. Depending on the brand and kind of paint you buy, the surface area that a gallon of paint will cover may vary.
Having Learned How Much a Gallon of Paint Covers…
Are you prepared for further mathematical calculations? Once you have the room’s total square footage, less the unpainted parts, and you’ve established that a gallon of paint covers 370 square feet, you may divide the total area by 370 to get the gallon equivalent. Use this to estimate the number of cans you’ll need. There are two options if the calculation doesn’t give you an even amount to work with: You may either move up to the next gallon or simply buy a quart or two along with the gallons, depending on your needs. Purchasing an additional gallon might be a more cost-effective option.
It’s always a good idea to keep additional paint handy in case you need to touch up your work. Purchasing somewhat more than you think you’ll need can save you a return trip to the paint shop and the danger of not receiving an exact match if you had them create a particular custom color for you.
It’s a good idea to have a good dust mop or hand duster on hand before you start painting (in-depth info here.) You don’t want to waste time painting over dirt and dust that has settled on the surface. It is best to steer clear of commercially available dusters, which are often composed of subpar materials since much of the company’s money goes into advertising, not quality materials. As a result of not requiring the use of chemicals, high-performance dusters are more efficient and safer for cleaning.
If you’re still confused about how much paint you need, ask the shop employee who sells the paint for assistance. Their advice might help you choose how much paint to purchase. In order to acquire the right amount of paint, use this procedure.
Colors to Consider When Choosing Paint
Finding paint colors that complement the rest of your decor may be a challenge. The fact that you have to live with the color every day makes this a critical consideration. It might be challenging to think beyond the box creatively when you aren’t an interior designer. The color of the interior of your house is an important decision. You must be aware of the colors you prefer and the manner in which you wish to express yourself, but it must also be compatible with your surroundings and environment. It’s critical that the colors you choose go well with your existing furnishings and flooring, as well as any non-removable fixtures you may have.
If you can’t afford a total renovation, you’ll need to find out what is ideal for what you currently have. Having a good dust mop on hand can come in handy while redecorating your house, particularly before painting. When it comes to collecting bothersome dust particles from your valuable home surfaces, yarn dust mops are very effective. Since most conventional dust mops sold in brick-and-mortar retail shops are composed of low-quality materials, it is recommended that you stay away from them. Advertising rather than R&D is the primary focus of much of the money spent on these popular mops. Fortunately, with a little bit of online investigation, you can locate high-performance dust mops.
Deciding on Paint Colors Based on Mood
Even within a single day, moods often shift dramatically. The environment does have an impact on one’s state of mind. If you’re brave and want to make a strong statement, you’ll choose bright hues such as red. Choosing blues can help you achieve a more tranquil atmosphere in your house, as well as a more quiet and relaxed state of mind.
How Would You Describe Your Personal Style When It Comes to Interior Design?
What color is the carpeting and flooring in your home? Examine the baseboards and molding; how do they look? Is there a color scheme in place for your furnishings? You’re not looking for an identical match. If your modern sofa is basic, you certainly do not want to match the color. Are you a fan of decorative pillows on your sofa? Choose a hue from the palette. A variety of paint samples should be held up to the wall for comparison.
The best spot to test out a color is on a wall that is exposed to a wide range of light. Spend some time examining it in a variety of lighting conditions, including bright sunlight and dim moonlight. Set the tone of the space with a color that you like. If you’re still having trouble deciding between two colors, consider using one as an accent color and the other as the primary wall color.
Check Out the Most Recent Decorating Ideas
If you’re looking for design inspiration, check out some of the many decorating blogs out there. Examine publications for examples of how color can be employed. It is not necessary to be precise, but it might assist you in selecting the appropriate hue for your house.
Maintaining a consistent color palette throughout your house can assist tremendously. Using the same palette of paint colors throughout your house can help to create a more unified look. It won’t be dull and it will give your house a particular flow that will make it appear like it belongs in a magazine. Your home will look amazing after you’ve decided on specific colors for it, and that will make other purchases for your house much simpler.
It is important to remember that nothing needs to be an identical clone of anything else. Your house will be more welcoming if you keep the undertones consistent throughout it.
Choosing the Most Appropriate Painting Brush for the Job
When it comes to painting walls with a brush, you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to the brushes you use. Utilizing the right paintbrush for the task will expedite the procedure and provide much superior outcomes than utilizing a random assortment of paintbrushes. A handyman does not carry a single tool on his tool belt because he anticipates the need for many tools. Painters are no exception to this. Brushes are your tool; thus, ensure that you’re using the appropriate one for the task. Here is a breakdown of the various brush types and their optimal applications.
Brush Types
Brushes come in two varieties: synthetic and natural fiber. Nylon and polyester are the most common synthetic materials. You may use any bristle type if you are painting with oil-based paint. To apply topcoats and enamels, you’ll need a high-performance natural bristle paint brush. You should only use synthetic bristle brushes if you’re covering anything with latex. For anyone concerned about the expense of high-end synthetic brushes, know that they will provide excellent value if they are cared for and kept in good shape.
Brush Sizes
Brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes for a variety of purposes. To get the ideal paintbrush for the task, you need to match the brush’s size and form. Obviously, you’ll need bigger brushes for larger regions and smaller brushes for smaller areas. The following is a summary of the optimum brush sizes for various tasks.
- For big exterior surfaces, use a 5-inch flat brush with a thickness of 0.5 – 1.25 inches.
- For corners, use a 3-inch broad tapered-edged brush.
- Use a 1.5 inch – 3 inch brush for molding and woodwork.
- Use 1.5 inch – 3 inch broad brushes to paint window trim and frames.
- For internal walls, use a brush with a width of 2.5 to 4.5 inches.
Invest in a High-Quality Paintbrush
The old adage “you get what you pay for” applies here. With low prices comes low quality. You can’t rely just on the price of a paintbrush to determine its quality. To assist you choose the ideal paintbrush for the task, you need to look at the brushes for certain characteristics.
- Brushes with split ends provide a finer, more uniform paint application.
- Flexing and springing back into shape is expected of the tips.
- Because the bristles should be shorter on the outside and longer in the middle, it will allow you to have more control over where the paint is distributed.
- The brush should be half as long as it is wide. If your brush is two inches broad, it should be three inches long.
- The bristles should be tugged. The bristles are not properly formed if even one or two of them pops out. To put it another way, if you can take the bristles out of the brush with your hand, just picture what would happen if the brush is loaded with paint.
- How does it feel when you hold it? Because you’ll be holding it for quite some time, you’ll want something with a comfortable grip.
Points to Keep in Mind
Finding high-quality cleaning tools may be challenging, since many conventional household cleaning products are created with cheap inferior materials, but having a high-performance dust mop on hand before embarking on a painting endeavor is incredibly beneficial. Whichever surface you want to paint, you’ll want to ensure that it’s completely clear of dirt and dust particles.
Learning how to paint a wall with simply a brush is a worthwhile investment of time. Investing in a good paintbrush now can save you money in the long run since a well-made and well-maintained brush will endure for years. It will save you time, so choose the brush that is appropriate for the task in terms of quality, material, and size.
