Whilst choosing the right paint colour for a room plays a massive role in the overall look, aesthetic and mood of a space, it’s important to not down play the importance of the application of the paint itself.
From our experience most painting projects benefit from hiring a professional, however if you do decide to go at it alone it’s usually not until after the fact that you notice the mistakes made… essentially when it’s too late! Painting your interior is no easy task and without professional help and/or advice you can run the risk of getting yourself into a costly and timely disaster!
So, with that being said, we’ve put together some of the biggest painting mistakes to avoid – in the hope that your next painting adventure runs just that little bit smoother!
#1 Not prepping
As exciting as changing up your paint colour can be, the most important step that will impact the final result is prepping your walls! The walls are your canvas so ensuring preparation is done right is key to how the final product will look. Use a recommended cleaner to thoroughly clean your walls, any specs of dirt and marks will only be enhanced once you put that coat of paint over it…
Design by Simone Haag
#2 Not doing the correct number of coats
“It’s just a simple coat of paint” – this is never the case! You’re diving into a long and tedious process when it comes to painting your interior. Most people say two coats of paint after primer but there are various other factors involved that can dictate this… The colour and quality of the paint used as well as other factors such as the surface you’re painting on will dictate the appropriate amount of coats to use… so be sure you are aware of these factors prior to choosing your paint!
Our Gordon Park Residence
#3 Not testing
Test twice… paint once! A small sample card from a paint store really isn’t going to reflect how the paint will appear in your chosen space. It’s a small additional cost, but by purchasing a test pot you will be able to grasp a much better understanding of how the paint colour will play out in the space, take a look during the day, come back and take a look at night. It’s not an easy fixed once it’s all been prepped and painted!
Design by House of Grey
#4 Wrong type of paint
The most common types of paint on the market are acrylic and water based. Both have their advantages and disadvantages however understanding these will ensure you’re picking the right one for your space. Acrylic paint is chemical based composition which means it has more elasticity so it is mostly recommended for exterior application. However in hot and humid climates such as ours, our interiors benefit from the durability of acrylic paint. Alternatively there’s water based paint, a more affordable option that can dry faster, however being water based means it is more prone to cracking and flaking, it’s positives are it’s easy to clean any mess and doesn’t emit any harmful chemical fumes.
Design by Nordiska Kok
#5 Incorrect sheen level
Getting this wrong will become a regrettable and costly mistake! To say you’re painting your walls, ceiling, skirting and cornices all in the one colour doesn’t mean you will be using the same paint! Different elements of a room call for different sheen levels, this is essentially to have the best over all cohesive look throughout the space. Skirting is typically painted in a higher sheen level to make cleaning those inevitable scuff marks a whole lot easier. Where as the ceiling will have no sheen at all so that it doesn’t reflect any light or unwanted glare in the space.
Design by Peter Yushin
