Five Apartment Painting Preparation Tips

Painting preparation is the key to easy apartment painting. Limited time and limited funds pose no problems if you organize and schedule your painting endeavor before opening the first paint can. Following the guidelines below will make the job easier and quick.

1. Survey the Spaces

Choose which rooms in the apartment that you intend to paint. It may be all or some, depending on the color left behind by previous tenants or the landlord. Measure these rooms, making note of the measurements for when you purchase the paints.

After surveying the rooms, determine which colors you like best for the spaces. Colors of adjoining rooms should blend and darker and brighter colors may not be the best choices for smaller, more compact areas. Consult a color wheel, typically available from any home decorating or paint store, should you need ideas. When choosing, take note of the color of the furniture and amount of light in the room as these things may impact your decision. Note your choices on the same sheet as the measurements so that it is easier for you to determine how much of each color you will need.

2. Buy Paint

The employees of home-decorating or paint stores will be an invaluable resource regarding the amount of paint needed for the room, whether to use a high or low gloss and what other tools you may need. They may even offer advice if you are unsure as to whether the color you choose will work well in the space or what color you should choose.

How much paint each room will require is a calculation the paint specialist will be able to do with the room’s calculations. Sharing your measurements with the specialist will remove the need for you to guess how many cans you will need. Additionally, purchasing all the paint you will need at one time will reduce the possibility of shades not matching due to different mixing.

3. Buy Supplies

The key to easy paint application is having the right tools. Paint rollers, brushes, drop cloths, sponges and other utensils should be available wherever you purchase the paint. Do not skimp on supplies. While they can be costly, not buying enough of what you need will slow down your progress and possibly result in a very messy or unappealing room.

Consider and, if confused or unsure, ask the paint specialist what will give you the best and easiest paint application. Brushes are the best for edge and corner work, but the type of paint and size of the room will determine whether you need sponge or the typical bristle brushes. Rollers come in all sizes, and an extendable one will make it easier to reach higher places but may not eliminate the need for a ladder.

Do not forget extra garbage bags, buckets, rags and paper towels, you will use more than anticipated while painting. Also do not forget the proper chemicals to clean your brushes and rollers after use so they may be subsequently used for a different paint color.

4. Prepare the Room

Properly prepare the room you intend to paint. Lay drop cloths over the carpets and furniture, moving any furniture away from the walls. Tape all edges before and set up ladders, buckets, and paint pans where needed. A good rule is to bring the room to where the very next step would be applying the paint to the walls. You may need or want to prepare several rooms at once so your painting may progress faster.

5. Paint Away!

Once the paint has been purchased and the room prepared, your next step is to start painting!  While time may be a large factor, take your time. Some paints brands or colors may require more than one coat. Leave the room to dry for several hours, preferably overnight, and then survey the hard to reach corners and edges to see if any touch-up work is needed. Let any touch-up work dry for several hours before moving furniture and using the room.

Painting the walls is a great way to personalize your apartment. With proper preparation, furthermore, the task does not have to be a difficult or frustrating one. Make each color one you love and take your time painting and you will have no regrets!