DIY archives Archives - Archwhispers

Ever wonder why some DIY hacks make it to Pinterest, but some others, especially when you paint a room yourselves, don’t? Spoiler alert: it’s not just about luck! So, are there any secret tips that help you achieve the finest paint finish & texture right away? Well, obviously there are! And today, I am here to guide you on the same. Basically, we’ll discuss everything, right from picking the right tools to priming & polishing, one brush-stroke at a time. Let’s start, shall we? Psssttt!! This post may contain affiliate links to relevant products from the US market✨. Think of them as tiny portals to supporting our work. Click, buy, repeat. Trust me, you'll be a REAL lifesaver!😇 Top Insights You’ll need different materials like TSP cleaners, sponges, brushes, rollers, joint compounds and primers to paint a room yourself. Check out the whole list below! Consider different viscosity, opacity, LRV, durability and finish before finalizing the right shade to paint a room! If your house is more than 50 years old, it could have lead in the original paint. So, make sure to wear goggles and dust masks when scraping it off! What Do You Need to Paint a Room Professionally? When you want to paint a room, you have to have more than just paint and a brush. You'll also need some cleaning stuff, sanding tools, priming gear, and safety equipment. Here's a complete list you can follow: Paint Cleaning & Prep-work: TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) cleaners like Rustoleum Krud Kutter in USA or Savogran in India Degreasers / Soot Removers Rags & Drop cloths Sponges Buckets Shop Unsmoke Wall Wash Purchase Smoke Soot Eraser Sponge Patching & Wall-Repair: Specialized Joint Compounds like Dr.Fixit Sure Seal, Dap Wallboard Compound, Gyproc Easi-Fill, etc. Putty Knife 80-120 grit Sandpaper Dust Masks Shop Putty Knives Get 120-grit Sandpaper Sheeting & Taping: Painter’s Tape Drop Cloth Plastic Sheeting Utility Knife Masking Paper Stain-blocking Primer Shop Painter’s Tape Purchase Masking Paper Brushes & Accessories: 2-3 inch angled sash brush for trims and corners 4-5 inch flat brush Long-handled roller Roller frame or Tray Shop Premium Sash Brushes Get Paint Roller Set Paint Supplies Over 1 gallon of paint Ceiling paint Paint Samples Paint Stir Sticks Ladder (optional for high ceilings) Paper Towels Mineral Spirits / Paint Thinner (for cleaning brushes) Shop Black Extension Ladder Purchase Paper Towels Safety Essentials Safety Glasses Gloves Dust Masks Shop Anti-fog Safety Goggles Explore Dust Masks Online Shop Anti-fog Safety Goggles Explore Dust Masks Online An Easy Step-by-Step Guide on How to Paint a Room for Beginners Now that you've got all the tools and equipment I asked for, let's dive into learning some simple tricks on how to paint a room for beginners! Believe me, it's way easier than you think (and cheaper too)! ©Archwhispers.com Need an architect who writes like a human?Let's Collab! 5+ years of turning built environment & decor into fun, SEO-friendly, Web-Page ranking stories.Request a Blog 1. Fix the Paint Color to Paint a Room! ©Archwhispers.com So I got this email from one of my subscribers, Sara from Florida, and she was totally freaking out about choosing paint shades. Basically, she was like, "There are like a trillion shades out there, how am I supposed to pick one?" And honestly, I feel her! There are indeed so many options from Asian, Sherwin Williams, Dulux, Berger, Valspar, etc! But don't worry, I've got your back! I've gathered some tips from the experts that will eventually help you sort & choose all those shades below. So, let’s start, shall we? Consider the Paint LRV: Use a high LRV (lighter) color if you have a small, cramped room and a low LRV (darker) color to anchor a large, bright room. Pick a neutral color that matches your existing furniture frames and make a cool accent wall with a vibrant pop color like fuchsia, teal, yellow, or something like that. Grab a couple of color swatches from your nearby paint store and stamp them on the wall to get an idea Ask your architect or designer to create a sample 3d model with your chosen colors before the final application Draw some inspiration from social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, etc. You can also check out our dedicated article on ‘30+ two-colour combos’ to help you finalize some trending combos!’ Quick Tip: Always use the 60-30-10 rule when fixing a paint color for your walls. Basically, use 60% of a neutral, primary color, 30% of a secondary neutral color, and 10% of a fun accent color like teal, fuchsia, or orange. Stop the delivery envy! Prime your life for exclusive deals and faster shipping (save some $$ too!) 2. Finalize the Paint Finish to Paint a Room ©Archwhispers.com Choosing the paint finish is really easy if you've picked out the paint color on your own. I mean, there are only five options to choose from, and it all depends on your wall's surface, how much traffic it gets, and your maintenance preferences. Like, if it's a high traffic area like the kitchen or bathroom, you'll probably want an easy-to-clean semi-gloss or satin finish. But if it's your master bedroom, you can go for a more cozy, flat finish. And if it's your kid's room, a glossy paint would be perfect for wiping off all their ink art. Here’s an easy-to-follow paint finish properties guide to help you choose the right one: ©Archwhispers.com 3. Calculate How Much Paint & Primer You Need to Paint a Room! Use a paint calculator (Lowe’s or Dulux has a good one) to know how many gallons of paint you’ll need to buy to paint a room. But if you prefer doing it yourself, then go on and read the detailed instructions below: Time needed: 15 minutes. First, find the surface area of the wall by multiplying its length and height. Check your paint coverage per gallon (it's normally between 300 - 400sq. Feet but do cross-check it once for your brand and paint finish). Now, divide the wall area with the paint coverage per gallon. This will give you the amount of paint required for one coat Now, simply multiply it by the number of coats you wish, say 2 minimum. As for the primer, just divide the total wall area by 400, give or take. Or you can ask your dealer for the exact primer coverage if you want the exact figures to paint a room for beginners. Quick Tip: Make sure to subtract the surface area of any openings like windows, doors, or louvres before you figure out how much paint you need. And don't forget to have an extra 2-5% of paint for the trims and touch-ups. Shop Pro Grade Paint Roller Set Explore Trim Brushes Online 4. Anchor Your Shield as You Paint a Room! ©Archwhispers.com Paint isn't obviously some kind of gangster or robber that's going to point a gun at you, but it does have a lot of harmful stuff in it like VOCs, benzene, toluene, and xylene. These can give you headaches, make you dizzy, and even make you feel sick! So, basically, it's always a good idea to protect yourself by wearing masks, gloves, goggles, and aprons. And if your house is super old, like over 50 years old or more, you should try wearing a complete face mask or a respirator when you're scraping off the old paint. You never know if those old walls might have lead paints on them! Quick Tip: Always keep your doors and windows open for proper ventilation when you paint a room. Shop Trendy Paint Aprons Purchase Durable Face Protection Masks 5. Prep Your Walls! “Prepping the wall is like scrubbing your face and applying foundation, it removes all that accumulated dirt, grease and oil like anything else.” says Balwant, our firm’s painter. And we obviously can’t agree more! Prepping is like cleaning the walls with a gentle cleaner, using small circular motions, and then fixing any bumps or holes to create a smooth surface. But is that all there is to it? Obviously not! Here are a few more steps that’ll help you achieve a durable, flawless paint finish in no time! Prepare a dilute, 2:1 solution of warm water and a degreaser or regular soap to scrub off all the grease and stains from your walls. Once dry, use slack or a joint compound to fill in any holes, cracks or gaps in your wall with a putty knife. You can also use mold resistant primers if you notice any water leaks or damp corners. Now, sand them the same using 100–200 grit sandpaper and remove off all the flaking or chipping paint. Cover all your furniture, roll-up rugs add a plastic sheeting or rosin paper all over them. You can also relocate your furniture to another room if it has some fancy upholstery or metallic accents that cannot be washed. Finally, apply the primer and allow it to dry for 2–3 hours or as per the manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding. Shop Rosin Paper Online Purchase Dap 10100 Wallboard Joint Compound 6. Tape em’ Up! So, you're wondering how a regular DIY painter can get those perfect strokes and sharp edges right away? Relax, we don't expect you to be a pro (maybe your grandma does, though)! But guess what? It's actually super easy to achieve clean, beautifully painted walls! All you have to do is stick some painter's tape all around the edges and peel it off when you're done. Moreover, you can also use masking tape to cover up your switches, buttons, trims, and sockets to avoid any accidental paint mishaps! Oh, and don’t forget to throw down an old blanket or bedsheet to protect your floor tiles or carpet from any unwanted paint damage! Quick Tip: Let the tape sit on the wall for around 30–45 minutes without touching it so it can stick properly. Calling All Home Design Storytellers! Let Archwhispers Be Your Stage.Do you have a captivating home design story to tell? Archwhispers.com is the perfect platform to share your experiences and inspire others.Write a guest post now!Check our Guest-Posting Guidelines 7. Get, Set, Paint a Room! ©Archwhispers.com So basically, painting walls isn't just about dipping a brush in paint and randomly slapping it on the wall. Here’s a step-by-step guide on the fastest way to paint a room: Get a regular paint key, putty knife, or even a pen knife to pop open the paint can. Then, grab a paint mixer, a rod, or just any old brush to blend everything nicely. And hey, be extra careful if you're dealing with oil paint (trust me, it's a pain to mix that stuff!) Now, just like you outline a coloring picture with borders, grab a regular 2-4 inch angled brush to outline the edges of your walls and ceiling. After you finish that, pick a paint roller and start painting your ceiling. Basically, just pour some ceiling paint, preferably white, onto a roller tray. Then, dip the roller in the paint, give it a little squeeze, and then roll it smoothly on the ceiling. Do the same thing with the walls: Outline the wall section, the outlets, wires, and wall sockets and then paint the rest with a roller. Let the paint dry between coats (usually 2-3 hours), but make sure to read the instructions on your paint can. Paint the trims next. Our official painter Balwant suggests grabbing a 2-3 inch wide sash brush and using long, single strokes to get those trims painted nice and even. Shop Paint Can Opening Tools Purchase 3-inch Angled Brushes 8. Clear the Mess! Painting a room can be such a drag, especially when it comes to cleaning up afterward! No matter how careful you are, there always seems to be random paint splashes on your furniture or floor. So, the first step is to tackle those with some good-quality TSP cleaners. Next, clean your brushes with turpentine, warm water, and soap. After that, peel off all the tape from the plugs and sockets. And voilà! Your room just turned a new leaf! But that’s not all. Check out the awesome checklist we have at Archwhispers for before and after painting hacks. You can grab it in PDF format down below & print it for ready reference: How to Paint a Room for Beginners - ChecklistDownload FAQs 1. Can You Paint Your Ceiling and Walls the Same Day? Yes, you can obviously paint your walls and ceilings the same day, but make sure to complete the ceiling first, let it dry for 2–3 hours and then move on to the walls to get a smooth finish. You can also use fast-drying latex paints to speed the process. 2. Does Ceiling Paint Need Primer? Ceiling paint doesn’t need a primer compulsorily, but you can use one to improve adhesion, coverage and hide stains. 3. How Many Coats of Primer Do I Need to Paint a Room? 2 coats of primer usually do, but consider 3 coasts for new surfaces or dark paint over light. Also check specific primer instructions for exact recommendations! 4. How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room in India? The average cost to paint a room in India is Rs.3,000–4,500, which is inclusive of the paint and finishing cost, and about Rs.10–30 labor cost/sq.m to paint a room. However, if your wall needs pre-sealing or other work, the price could go higher. 5. How Long Does It Take to Paint a Room? It usually takes like 4–6 hours to paint a room with all the dusting, moving furniture around, priming, painting, and finishing touches. Conclusion So there you have it! A fresh coat of paint and a transformed room, all thanks to your DIY skills. Feeling proud? You should be! Now, go forth and conquer your next painting project. Remember, practice makes perfect (and less messy)! (P.S. Share your before-and-after pics when you paint a room – we love to see your creativity shine!) You can also hop in to explore over ‘Minimalist Design Ideas,’ & ‘100+ Wall Decoration Ideas’ for further home-decor inspiration! Own a Piece of Artisanry: Shop Our Handpainted Collection! Ps. You won't find these treasures anywhere else. Check Our Collection External Resources: Know the myths associated with ‘White Paint’ from the National Painting & Decorating Institute Know the exact costs to paint your house

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