Learning the proper way to paint a room gives you the freedom to make changes and saves money by not having to hire out work. Paint is the simplest way to transform a room; knowing how to paint allows you to make changes when you want to, not when the pros can fit you into the schedule. Learning to decorate your newly painted home lets you make choices you like and teaches you what to look for to make your home beautiful.
1 Tape any surface you don't want painted with low tack painter's tape.
2 Remove all objects from the wall and fill any nail holes with Spackling.
3 Shake the gallon of paint thoroughly to mix the paint together. Open the paint can with a flat head screwdriver.
4 Pour some paint into a paint pan. Fill the paint pan about 1/2 full of paint. Dip the paint roller into the paint and roll it over the incline portion of the paint pan to evenly distribute the paint around the paint roller.
5 Paint a large "W" on the upper part of the wall. Go back and fill in the rest of the area with paint. Apply more paint to the roller when the paint on the wall isn't covering the base color anymore.
6 Use a small paintbrush to paint around the base trim, ceiling, corners and windows. This process is called cutting in.
7 Allow the paint to dry and remove the tape.
8 Choose neutral colors for large pieces that are expensive to replace like sofas. Buy large pieces in the same color family but different tones, like a beige sofa and a dark brown chair. The two work well together without looking like a matched set.
9 Select a color for your decor. Choose a color you love and are drawn to. Select a second color to coordinate with the first. Make the second color an analogous color, meaning it's next to your first color on the color wheel or make it complimentary color, meaning it's directly opposite the main color on the color wheel.
10 Add accessories to your room in your two color choices. Soften the sofas and chairs with throw pillows and lap blankets. Look for window treatments in this color palette.
11 Select artwork and hang it on the walls at eye level. Create a large wall display by framing several small pieces with the same matting and frames. Cluster them together with the largest in the center. This is a great way to display family photographs.
12 Go for symmetry. Make the accessory display on either side of a focal point the same, like candles on both sides of the fireplace or matching pillows in each corner of the sofa.
