For those who have painted a room before, the prospect of painting another one can still be daunting. For those who have never painted, the idea of painting can be downright frightening. Instead of panicking over what to do and what not to do, check out the ideas below about what to expect when you are painting your room for the first time. Not only can they help you be more prepared, they can also help set your mind at ease.

1. Time – Expect to spend a significant amount of time prepping, painting, and cleaning up after any paint job. Even if your first project is a small powder room, you will still need to budget at least a day, maybe two to doing the project the right way. If you feel rushed, you are also going to be stressed and not do as good of a job as you wanted to.
2. Supplies – Once you have figured out what shade of paint you want to use on the walls, it is time to gather all of the necessary supplies. If you think all you need is a paint brush and paint, think again. For starters you will need: drop cloths, painter’s tape, rags, a paint tray, a brush, a roller, a ladder, glasses or protective eyewear, old clothes, a roller extender, a corner brush, paint, primer, and some good music to keep you motivated. If you are doing a decorative finish, be prepared to include those items, as well.
3. Prep Work – Painting is not a quick task. While the actual act of painting the room may not take too long, there is plenty of prep work that needs to be done ahead of time. All of the baseboards and window trims need to be protected by being taped. The light switch plates need to be removed, the furniture needs to be covered with protective sheets or drop cloths, or moved out of the room. For those expecting to be done in just a couple of hours, the prep work alone can be a discouragement. Do not skimp on prep work either. If you rush, you will often find that you end up with paint on things you did not intend to paint. Take the time to do it correctly the first time.
4. Primer – The experienced painter knows that primer can make or break a painting project, especially if the walls are initially painted with a dark color. Primer is the base coat that helps hide the color underneath so that the true color of the paint you selected can be seen. Some paints now come with primer built in and if you are starting with light walls that can work well. For dark walls, a separate coat of primer is a must.

By knowing what to expect and giving yourself the time you need to complete the project, you can rest assured that the walls will turn out the way you want them. Seek out help from paint stores if you have questions. Most importantly, remember to protect your eyes, your skin, and your furniture from stray paint splatters.

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Jessica Ackerman from WallDecorandHomeAccents.com generously shares everything she knows about contemporary decor.

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