Preparing to paint a home
While most painting projects begin with a trip to your local Prominent Paint or Decorating Centre to gather supplies, there's a lot more to bear in mind than paint and a paintbrush.
L A Nunnery interiors
How much paint is enough?
You don't want to run out of paint mid-project or have tins of a custom colour left over when your project's complete. But how do you make sure you buy the right amount? Simply measure the room. It might seem like the most obvious tip, but measuring the area you're painting is an easy way to save yourself some aggravation, time and money. All paint manufacturers will advise how much coverage a particular paint offers.
By measuring up the space with a tape measure - multiply wall height by wall width - to determine the amount of wall to be covered, you can write down and take with you to the store to ensure you get the right amount of paint for each area. Should you run out of paint, which you shouldn't if you calculate beforehand, take note of the batch code on the paint tin that you are using, so that you can purchase the exact same batch of paint. If you don't do this there will be slight but subtle differences in colour from batch to batch.
Where you need to paint over a wall previously painted in a dark colour, or where painting over timber or steel, ask the sales staff about selecting the right primer to reduce the number of coats you'll need, since it's less expensive than paint, saving you money in the long run.
Tools of the trade
When you're standing in the aisle, cheaper is always better, right? Wrong! In order to achieve professional-looking results, you need to think - and shop - like a pro. Invest in high-quality tools that deliver a perfect finish every time, and not the least expensive products that will leave brush marks or streaks, or sometimes even hairs all over your newly painted wall and trim.
Decorating Den
At your local Builders Warehouse you will find a wide selection of quality brushes for all paint types, from PVA to varnish, so be sure to buy the right brush for your painting project. Invest in a selection of brush sizes, which are designed to make your life easier and cut down on time spent painting. Use our painting supplies checklist to ensure you have everything you need to get your project done right, without running back to the store in the middle of it:
| Masking tape | Helps to keep clean lines | |
| Primer | Essential for painting plaster, steel or timber | |
| Paint roller | Choose the right pile for the wall | |
| Paintbrush | You will need a selection of brushes | |
| Drop cloth | Protects furnishings and floors | |
| Rags or cloths | Handy for clean up | |
| Sugar soap | Prepares walls for painting | |
| Crack filler | Repair holes and hairline cracks | |
| Sandpaper | Use 240-grit to smooth walls after crack filler | |
| Paint | Select a paint that is perfect for the wall | |