The time has come to sell your home and often getting your property ready to sell is not a small job. But with a little DIY you can keep profits in your pocket.
There is more to selling your home than property styling and having impeccable taste. Property preparation is just as important and in most cases the easiest way to freshen up the place is by painting the interior walls.
Painting like a pro…
Professional painters and DIY enthusiasts make painting look easy but if you don’t take the time to research and do it right, this project could quickly become a disaster.
Before you rush into picking colours and purchasing tins of paint, take a breath, these tips will keep you from making mistakes and help you to have great-looking walls for your property styling.
Painting your home: type of paint and degree of sheen
The first thing you need to do is decide on the type of paint, level of gloss and colour you want.
- Type of paint: water based is generally best for walls as it is quick drying, offers a full range of colours and is re coat-able within 2 hours. Oil based is best for window frames.
- Level of gloss: each gloss level has pros and cons but for the purpose of painting your interior walls, matt or flat paints are best. They gently reflect light back which minimises the appearance of surface imperfections.
For your consideration, here are some of things to consider when selecting your paint.
Matte paint:
- Helps to hide imperfections
- It is the least reflective sheen available
- While it isn’t glossy, it does have a velvety texture
- It is the most common option for interior walls
- Depending on the level of traffic and marks your walls will get, it may be harder to keep clean
TIP: Before purchasing a large quantity of paint, consider sample pots to test the colour and gloss level.
Semi-gloss and gloss paint:
- Highly durable and easy to clean
- It is the most reflective sheen available
- Good option for kitchens, bathrooms, doors and window trims
- Highlights imperfections
Painting your home: equipment
Don’t start the job until you have everything you need. Make a list and include the following:
- Drop cloths
- Paint tray
- Paint
- Painters tape
- Paint rollers (and extension pole)
- Paint brushes
- Rags
Painting your home interior: prep
Let’s get one thing straight… prep is EVERYTHING!
It won’t matter how good you are at painting or how top shelf your equipment is, you can’t hide unprepared walls. Don’t cut corners you’ll regret it later… painting prep includes walls, trims and if your home is furnished it also includes covering those items you don’t want covered in paint.
Tip: It is important to get a good seal with painters tape so paint doesn’t end up underneath.
Finally… painting your walls
One wall at a time is the best option. First, grab your brush and ‘cut in’. You can then use the paint roller to apply the first coat of paint on the wall. Wait for this to be touch dry before applying another coat.
Once you have finished with the wall and it is dry, you can then paint the trims. Starting closest to the ceiling, door frames and finally the skirting boards.
Tip: Ensure that the room is well ventilated!
Painting your home: clean up
Slow down… you aren’t done yet! You still need to clean up. Collect all the drop cloths, remove painters tape off the walls and clean your brushes/rollers. If you are painting more the following day, you still need to clean the brushes and rollers!
Property preparation doesn’t have to be painful. But it does need to be done right! Give Stagency a call today and see how they can help!
Stagency provides the following white label interior styling services in South East Qld and via Zoom for the rest of Australia
- Interior Styling Brisbane
- Interior Styling Gold Coast
- Interior Styling Sunshine Coast
- Interior Decorator Brisbane
- Interior Decorator Gold Coast
- Interior Decorator Sunshine Coast
