Repaint Your Home in 5 Easy Steps

Painting a room is a common DIY project in most homes. While it's not difficult to do, there are a handful of things that can go wrong such as a paint finish mix-up or getting a brush that you'd end up not using. It's vital to know the tricks of the trade, here are a few must-read tips you can try: 

1. Prep the walls. Did you know that paint doesn't adhere to dusty or grimy surfaces? For a smooth paint job, scrub the walls down with soapy water and allow at least two days for it to dry completely. 

2. Sand and spackle any holes. Make sure to inspect your walls and see if there dents that should be repaired. After the spackling is dry, sand it down for an even finish. The goal is to make the wall as flat as possible to make painting easier. 

3. Test paint in small amounts. Save a few bucks by doing a swatch test before buying gallons of the same mix. There's nothing worse than wrong-shade regret when it comes to color choices for the home.   

4. Use a paint grid instead of trays. Pouring paint in a plastic tray is a mess waiting to happen. Here's a smarter approach: invest in a paint grid that is made from rigid metal that keeps the pigment from spilling everywhere. 

RL Tip: Get yours from Amazon. 

5. Use plastic wrap to avoid stiff brushes. Done painting for the day? Brush or roll off excess paint in old newspaper then tightly wrap your rollers and brushes in saran wrap. This will keep the paint from hardening overnight—leaving you with supple tools in the morning.