(BPT) – Are you limited on time but want to upgrade your home? Some easy home improvements can be achieved in a weekend. Painting is one of the most popular ways to transform the look of your home.
Accent walls (23 percent), interior or exterior doors (22 percent) and home accessories, such as chairs or mirrors (22 percent) rank as the top three weekend painting projects, according to a survey conducted by Sherwin-Williams.
“Painting is one of the easiest ways to increase a home’s value and curb appeal,” says Kevin Anundson, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). “With a quality paint and project know-how, any homeowner can transform his or her home’s look and feel. You can find simple ways to make changes.”
While more than half (59 percent) of homeowners start weekend painting projects because they want a color or design change, and 28 percent are focused on home renovation.
Here are tips to set your next weekend painting project up for success:
* Upgrade with color beyond walls. Consider painting furniture, a door, or a home accessory, such as a mirror, in a fresh and lively hue to quickly refresh your living space.
* Finishes matter. Flat finishes have a non-reflective appearance that helps hide surface blemishes and are ideal for an accent wall in your dining room or formal living room. Satin finishes, with a slight gloss, offer the benefits of a richer look and work best in high traffic areas such as a hallway, children’s room or family room. Semi-gloss finishes offer a lustrous look, perfect for furniture. Gloss finishes are durable and great for windows, trim or any area you would like to highlight.
* A paint calculator is your friend. Measure the total height and width (in feet) of the surface to be painted and remember that one gallon will cover approximately 400 square feet with one coat of paint.
* Use the right tools. Most projects require primer, paint, stir sticks, paint rollers, roller covers (1 1/2 inch nap roller is best), small paintbrushes for corners, edges, and touch-ups, paint trays, painter tape, and drop cloths. Make sure you have all your supplies before you begin your project.
For more color inspiration, visit your local Sherwin-Williams store or www.sherwin-williams.com/color.
