Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Interior Painting

If you are looking for a fast, easy way to improve the look and feel of your house, look no further than interior painting. Interior painting is one of the quickest and cheapest ways you can upgrade the look of your home and doesn't require any major home improvement skills or a huge time commitment. Painting is fun, affordable, and will make your house look brand new in now time. The first step to interior painting is deciding what kind of paint to use.

The biggest decision you need to make about paint type is whether you want to use oil or acrylic paint. Latex paint is water based, easy to use and easy to clean up, and has very little odor compared to oil paint. Oil paint has potentially irritating fumes, but is often more durable than latex paint, and some people prefer the finish it gives over latex paint.

Once you have decided what kind of paint you want to use, you need to determine what sheen, or gloss is best for you. High gloss paints are durable and washable, but then tend to show up any imperfections in wall plaster and can be overwhelming when used on a whole wall. These paints are usually reserved for playrooms, or for trim, handrails, and other high-traffic areas. Flat paints have a nice velvety look, but they scuff and mar easily, and may be harder to clean. An eggshell finish is a nice compromise between the two, and will work well for most rooms.

Color is a very personal choice. Many people like to stick with white, because it feels safe, but there are infinitely more possibilities for self-expression and creativity open to you. Take some time to decide what look you want and, if necessary, consult a professional if you are unsure of your choice.

The beauty, affordability, and ease of a fresh coat of paint are not the only advantages. In fact, there is one other important one: if you decide that you don't like your new look, you can always paint over it and get a brand new style to fall in love with all over again.