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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Terrific Table and Chairs
The kitchen table is the hub of the home – where we dine as a family, do crafts, homework, play cards and board games. So it’s important to make this everyday staple a welcoming area for you, your family and friends. But is your wood tabletop looking drab or stained? Or is your metal surface chipped? No matter what wear and tear you may have inflicted on your table – you can easily update it with a quick coat of spray paint.

Directions: Remove any seat cushions from the chairs and thoroughly clean all table and chair surfaces. Once dry, spray all surfaces with your favorite color of Krylon Dual Paint + Primer spray paint. Since Dual is both a paint and a primer, you can complete your project in one simple step, and half the time. Once you’ve sprayed all areas and the surfaces are dry, you can re-attach your seat cushions, or create a new look with updated fabric and enjoy your refreshed kitchen activity center.

Focal Point Finishes
Lighting fixtures can increase the ambiance to any room – but replacing them can cost hundreds of dollars. With a little elbow grease, $20 and less than two hours, you can update your existing ones with a more attractive – and popular – finish.

Directions: Cover your work area with newspaper and disassemble the fixture. Clean the pieces and tape off areas that don’t need to be painted. Following the instructions on the label, apply aerosol indoor/outdoor primer followed by the new paint in your favorite color and finish. Once dry, remove the tape and reassemble your impressively updated focal point.

Cover the Smallest Details
Are you sick of staring at dull, dirty or chipped register covers or light switch plates around your home? A simple paint update can give any room an instant pick-me-up.

Directions: Remove register covers or light switch plates and place them on newspaper. Sand the surface lightly and wipe clean. Clean all pieces to remove any built up dust and grime. Following instructions on the label and apply a number of light coats of aerosol primer, followed by a few coats of gloss or metallic spray paint. Once dry, reinstall and enjoy.

With just a few simple home projects, your space can feel fresh and new in no time at all. For more information on Krylon products, visit www.krylon.com or projectsinacan.com.

The post Three Projects to Turn Home 'Blahs' into 'Oohs' and 'Ahhs' first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

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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