If you plan to paint this year, here are some tips to help prepare you for success.

Choose colors with confidence
A fresh coat of paint in the right color can quickly transform the look and feel of any space. To help choose the perfect color for your space, take advantage of the easy-to-use color selection tools available to help you find and try colors before you paint. Homeowners can use the online Color Visualizer, for example, to virtually paint a space and try on different color combinations, making it easy to choose colors with confidence.

Find color inspiration
Choosing the perfect paint color is key to creating the look you want, but how do most people find the right color? More than half of DIYers (56 percent) say they look to nature for color inspiration, while more than a third (36 percent) take their color cues from Pinterest images.

For added color inspiration, consider the 2015 Sherwin-Williams color of the year: Coral Reef, described by the survey respondents as “cheerful,” “upbeat” and “energizing.”

“A mix of pink, orange and red, Sherwin-Williams Coral Reef embodies the approach to design that we’re seeing for the coming year,” says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “Its unexpected versatility brings life to a range of design aesthetics, whether traditional, vintage, cottage or contemporary. For a more relaxed look, it can also be paired with earthy neutral colors such as slate grays, medium-brown wood tones such as driftwood, and metallic finishes to complement its garden hue.”

Select the right finish
Once you’ve decided on the perfect color, make sure you’re getting the best finish for the space you are painting. For durability and washability, choose a semi-gloss paint. Semi-gloss is a good option for areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, as well as trim. For high-traffic areas, like a hallway or a kid’s bedroom, satin and egg-shell paints are preferred as the finish is easy to clean and maintain. High gloss paints are also extremely durable and easy to clean, making them perfect for windows, doors and trim. For spaces that have something to hide, a flat finish will work to your advantage.

Paint your space in the correct order
When planning your painting project, also consider the order in which you paint your space. Start with the ceiling, followed by the walls. If two coats of paint are needed, finish both coats before moving to the next step. Then, paint the windows from top to bottom. After the windows, paint the baseboards, trim and doorframe. Finally, paint the door. Following this order will help ensure a smoother painting process and will require fewer cleanups.

For more help in planning your next painting project, visit your local Sherwin-Williams store or www.sherwin-williams.com.

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How much paint is enough?
You don’t want to run out of paint mid-project or have gallons of a custom color left over when your project’s complete. But how do you make sure you buy the right amount? Simply measure the room. “It might seem like the most obvious tip, but measuring the area you’re painting is an easy way to save yourself some aggravation, time and money,” LaPorta says. Typically, one gallon of paint covers 375 to 400 square feet. Measure walls with a tape measure, and multiply the height by the width (in feet, not inches). “Once you have your square footage calculated, write it down and bring it with you to the store so you can get the right amount of paint for each area. This way you’ll get what you need during the first – and only – trip.”
Beware of high-contrast color changes, like painting a light wall a dark color, or vice versa. This will likely require extra coats and, thus, more paint. Ask your paint retailer about selecting the right primer to reduce the number of coats you’ll need, since it’s less expensive than paint, saving you money in the long run.

Tools of the trade
When you’re standing in the aisle, cheaper is always better, right? Wrong! In order to achieve professional-looking results, you need to think – and shop – like a pro. “Invest in high-quality tools that deliver a perfect finish every time, and not the least expensive products that will leave brush marks or streaks,” LaPorta adds. “For more than 85 years, painting professionals and home improvement experts like me have turned to Purdy for the best in applicators and tools.”

Purdy’s new 9-inch cageless frame features a “dog-bone” design, which eliminates skipping and thumping on the wall when you’re painting. You’ll feel – and see – the difference as soon as you start rolling. “This lightweight, durable, high-performance roller will become a mainstay in your DIY painter’s kit for years, helping you finish more jobs flawlessly than if you were to purchase inexpensive ‘throw-away’ sets each time you paint a space,” LaPorta says.

Be sure to use this painting supplies checklist – and a few extra tips from LaPorta – to ensure you have everything you need to get your project done right, without running back to the store in the middle of it:

* Painter’s tape – helps to keep clean lines as you cut in or paint trim
* Primer – use a primer to seal the walls so that paint covers smoothly and evenly
* Stir stick – make sure to ask the paint desk for stir sticks; it’s always a good idea to stir paint and/or primer before you begin
* Pour spout – helps to pour paint with less mess; also keeps the can clean and label directions visible
* Roller tray and liner – you’ll need a tray to dip your roller cover and brush into
* Roller cover – use a high-quality roller cover; for drywall or plaster, use covers designed for smooth/semi-smooth surfaces
* Paint brushes – available in various sizes, brushes help when painting corners and trim; angled options perform better for detailed work
* Drop cloths – good to protect your flooring, carpet and furniture while you’re painting
* Screwdriver – when using paint in a metal can, this helps remove the lid

“Although you won’t find it in the aisles of the hardware or home improvement store, a box of baby wipes is good to keep handy to quickly clean up any mistakes,” LaPorta says. “If you take the time to do a little planning before you head to the store or start painting, it will go a long way in saving time and creating a perfectly painted space.”

For more information about paint tools and applicators from Purdy, including the new 9-inch cageless frame, visit www.purdy.com.

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Modern Colors
Color is a key aspect of interior decorating, and paint is one of the easiest, most cost-efficient ways to update your home interior. To give any room a clean and contemporary look this season, take some hints from the professionals.

Pratt & Lambert Paints recently announced its 2012 Color Trends, which are divided into five palettes: Enough, Expressive, Instinctive, Essence and Echo. Pratt & Lambert’s Color &#43 Design team identified these colors as their top picks for the modern home, and Color &#43 Design Manager Donna Schroeder says the Instinctive palette offers a number of great options for fall. From Cafe Cubano to Dusty Mink to Garnet, Schroeder predicts nature-inspired shades will pop up on ceilings, trim and walls everywhere. And with Pratt & Lambert’s Quart-Size Color Sampler option, you can test out your choice before painting the entire room, ensuring a look you’ll love.

Ground Level
Just because the floor is under your feet, it shouldn’t be last on your list of interior updates. You know that old carpet is ugly, but it will also overshadow more modern elements in the room.

Natural materials like granite and hardwood floors are popular, but their high cost may limit how many rooms you can update. Fortunately, stylish options are available that won’t break the bank. For instance, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is available in hundreds of styles that mimic authentic wood and stone to give your home a modern, lavish look for less. With a wide range of brands, price points and installation options available, LVT is a great choice for anyone in need of a flooring update. Plus, LVT is more durable than some other flooring options, so you can enjoy new-looking floors for longer.

Time to Reflect
Mirrors are an easy and inexpensive way to inject personality into a room. Hang a large square mirror to open up a small space, or arrange a number of smaller mirrors in a fun pattern to create an artistic statement.

With endless framing options available, you’re sure to find a match to complement any room’s style. A thin, simple rectangular frame will create a contemporary look, while an ornate metal frame gives an oval glass a traditional, old world feel. Or, for a completely clean and modern effect, frameless mirrors come in a wide variety of shapes and edge designs.

Brighten up Lighting
New lighting can change the entire feel of your home’s interior, and there are seemingly endless options to help you brighten up a room. Recessed lights create a clean look that can open up smaller rooms or highlight an area such as a photo or piece of artwork. Table and floor lamps can act as artful vessels of light, adding colors and patterns to a bland room. And hanging lighting, such as a unique chandelier, will bring interest and personality into a room while serving its functional purpose. To give your new lighting a sustainable side, energy-efficient light bulbs will save you electricity costs and last longer than standard bulbs.

Don’t let your hesitancy to redecorate leave your home in the past. With these four easy updates, you can renew your living space and give your home a new, modern feel.

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