March 13th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Painting a room can be a daunting task, especially if you've never done it before. There are so many things to consider: What colour should I paint? What kind of paint should I use? How much do I need? Which brush is right for the job? But don't let these worries get you down! With the right tools and techniques, you'll be painting like an expert in no time. To help get your project off on the right foot (and avoid some common pitfalls), here are 10 things that anyone who's ever painted anything should keep in mind:

Choosing the wrong paint

Choosing the wrong paint can be a big mistake. Paint can be expensive, so it's important to choose one that will work in your space and last for years.

Here are some tips:

·        Choose the right paint for the room. If you live in an old house with plaster walls, choose an oil-based paint instead of latex products because they adhere better to older surfaces like plaster or stone (though they may require two coats).

·        Choose the right paint for the job. If you're painting over dark colours or stains, use an eggshell finish instead of flat so light won't reflect off of them as much when viewed from different angles--this effect could make an area look dingy or dirty even though it's actually clean!

·        Choose wisely when picking out colours as well; picking the right colour is just as important as choosing the correct texture and base. As mentioned paint can be expensive so the last thing you want to do is finish painting and decide the colour isn't right. Make sure to swatch different colours as the colour may appear different depending on your walls and the amount of light in the room. Colour can also affect perception making rooms look smaller, larger, warmer or even cooler. So, be sure to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve before settling on a colour.

Not sanding properly

Sanding your walls is one of the most important steps in painting a room. It removes all of the rough spots and prepares your walls for the paint to adhere properly. Sanding also helps eliminate, imperfections, like bumps or bubbles that may have formed during installation it is also a great way to get rid of old paint if this has begun to flake or peel away.

Sanding can be done with manual sandpaper if there are only a few minor parts that need treating. However, using an electric sander for larger areas will help to save time and will be much less tiring than manually sanding multiple walls.  The MLYEK multi-tool has a powerful motor and will power through imperfections quickly and efficiently.

MYLEK Electric Multi Tool with 48 Piece Accessory Kit

Price: £44.99

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Not Priming the surface

Even if your walls do not require sanding, it is still important that you start your project with clean, smooth walls so the paint can adhere correctly and the colour will be even. This is where primer comes in - this step can also be crucial when painting a room, but like sanding it's not always necessary. For example, If you're covering an existing colour and the wall is already smooth and the colour is light enough to cover then you don't need to prime it first, so you can go ahead and skip this step! However, if your walls are dark or have texture (like brick), then priming can help make sure that your final paint job looks great for years to come. If you're working with drywall, make sure there aren't any loose particles hanging from it. Remove any dirt or dust from the wall with a duster (or vacuum), then wipe down the wall with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue. Your goal should be to have a completely smooth surface--if there are cracks in your drywall or if you can feel bumps beneath it when you run your hand across them, those areas need extra attention before painting will be successful!

Not buying the right equipment

The right equipment is the single most important tool in your painting arsenal. If you're not using the right brush, you might as well be painting with your hands.

The first thing to consider when buying brushes is size--and we're not talking about how big or small they are (though that's important too). You want to buy a brush that matches the job at hand. If you're going to be doing some serious cutting-in around trim work or baseboards, then getting a smaller brush with stiff bristles will make this easier on your arms and shoulders. But if all you need is an even coat across an entire wall surface, then using a larger roller will save time and energy by covering more ground faster. The second consideration when choosing paintbrushes is type: there are many different types of bristles used in making various kinds of paintbrushes for different purposes--including synthetic versus natural fibres--but all good quality brushes have one thing in common: they last longer than cheap ones!

Alternatively, if you are working with flat even surfaces you also use an electric paint sprayer too, not only will this will quickly disperse an even layer of paint without dripping or bubbling while taking half the time of using normal paintbrushes and rollers.

Mylek Compakt Cordless Handheld Paint Sprayer

Price: £79.99

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Painting too quickly or too slowly.

Balance is important while painting a room, you may have heard the saying, "slow and steady wins the race."  Well, this isn't entirely true when it comes to painting a room. While painting too quickly can cause problems such as leaving you with brush strokes and uneven coverage such as drips and air bubbles. Taking too long can also cause unwanted issues, it will make it difficult for you to keep track of where you've already painted, which means more areas get more coats than others which can leave a patchy and uneven finish. So, what is the perfect speed? When working on your project, stick with a consistent steady pace that allows for adequate drying time between coats, and work at a pace that is comfortable for you but also allows you to keep track of where you have already painted. Also, remember to leave at least 30 minutes before beginning the second coat.

Not measuring correctly

Measure twice, paint once. This is a well-known saying that has been around since the dawn of time (or at least since people started painting walls). Measuring is not just for measuring how much paint to buy; it's also important when you are rolling with a roller or using a brush. If you don't measure correctly, then your job will take longer than it should and cost more money than necessary because of wasted materials.

Not cleaning up properly

Painting can be a messy job and this can cause problems in itself, so be sure to take time to protect and clean as you work.

·        Cover floors or any furniture you can't move with dust sheets to protect against paint splashes.

·        Protect areas you don't want painting such as baseboards using tape.

·        Clean any spills or excess paint before it has a chance to dry

·        Make sure to clean brushes properly once you have finished using them, taking care of them will keep the bristles in good condition for the next time you need them.

Make sure to follow these rules when you're painting a room and it should go smoothly!

Hopefully, we've helped you avoid some of the common mistakes people make when they're painting a room. Remember that the most important thing is to have fun with it! If you follow these rules and tips, then your painting experience will be much smoother than if you didn't know anything about what went wrong or right in other people's past experiences with this task. Good luck!