Painting a room is one of the most affordable ways to update your home’s interior design. Before you start any DIY project, doing a little research is essential. Home improvement videos and websites have popularized many house painting myths. In this post, we’ll look at some common myths we hear from clients, friends, and family members. This information will help clear up some common misconceptions and improve your next project’s success.
7 Common House Painting Myths
1. Dark Colors Make Rooms Feel Small
It’s not always the color of the walls that make a room feel smaller. It’s usually a combination of paint colors, the amount of natural light, and the furnishings in a room that can make it feel cramped or small. Dark colors recede, which makes a space appear larger. A dark or vibrant color on an accent wall can also make a room appear more spacious. For more information, check out this article on the research regarding dark versus light-colored walls.
2. White Paint is Sterile and Boring
A white or cream color doesn’t have to be stark or boring. White remains a popular interior paint color choice because it creates a sense of openness, especially in small spaces. There are cool, warm, and pure whites, so you can find a shade that complements any room and design style.
3. All Paints are About the Same
Not all paint is created equal. There are many water-based and oiled-based paints on the market designed for different surfaces. Choosing the right finish or sheen for your project is also essential. Flat paint is usually the least expensive but also the least durable. Satin and semi-gloss are more durable and easier to clean. DIYers should research and choose a top-performing brand to get the best results.
4. You Can Skip the Prep Work
Prep work can be tedious and time-consuming, but it’s the basis of any successful paint job. Even with today’s advanced paint technology, proper surface preparation is essential. You will likely need to sand, spackle, and repair most surfaces before applying paint. Paint will not adhere properly to a dirty surface, so walls and trim must be cleaned and allowed to dry before any paint is applied.
5. Primer is Optional
There are several reasons to use a primer before painting interior or exterior surfaces. Stains that are not properly primed can bleed through and ruin a new paint job. If you make a drastic color change, it can take many coats of paint to hide the existing color, so using a high-quality primer can save time and money. Primer will make your paint easier to apply and give your project a more professional look.
6. Painting Isn’t Necessary When You’re Ready to Sell
The majority of potential homebuyers are looking for something that is in move-in condition. Most real estate experts recommend that sellers invest in new paint before listing their homes. A fresh coat of paint will make your home look fresher, cleaner, and well-maintained. Choosing light, neutral paint colors for interiors allows prospective buyers to visualize their furnishings in your house. Having a fresh coat of paint applied throughout your home is a relatively inexpensive investment that will likely have a good return on investment.
7. Hiring a Professional House Painter is Expensive
Working with a professional isn’t necessarily more expensive than doing the work yourself. Rollers, brushes, drop cloths, tape, primer, paint, ladders, and other items can quickly add up and are often more costly than people realize. On top of that, the amount of time needed to clean, prep, and paint is frequently underestimated by DIYers. And unless you are an experienced painter, you may not like the results you get. Hiring a professional painter to handle your project is best unless you have the time, tools, and expertise to create a flawless finish.
Trust The Painting Pros to Deliver High-Quality Results
The Painting Pros, Inc. is a high-quality, award-winning painting contractor. Since 1978, we’ve served homeowners, business owners, and property managers across the San Jose area. When it’s time to update your property, please call The Painting Pros at 408-418-9912 to discuss your needs. Our team of painting professionals handles jobs of all sizes, and we’re ready to help you transform your property with a new paint job.
The Painting Pros is known for its environmentally-conscious products and methods. We were the first painting company in Silicon Valley to be “certified green” by Green America. We use only low-VOC paints and recycle all eligible materials. The Painting Pros is a “Lead-Safe Certified Firm” with the EPA, meaning we have the training to safely take the necessary precautions to work with lead-based paint surfaces.