Brrr it’s cold outside… Super Bowl done and gone, the Ground Hog saw his shadow again, and Valentines were delivered… The big box hardware stores are putting the finishing touches on all their displays and holding “How to… classes every Saturday morning… We are now in the throws of Home Improvement Season!
As you walk around the big box hardware/home improvement store of your choice… you seem to find the biggest crowds (waiting lines) at the paint department. This seems to be the number one place for folks to begin when thinking about sprucing the house up. After that, it is usually the flooring and tile department or the lighting department.
When you own a home, it seems there is always something you would like to do to make it more attractive, comfortable or efficient. The choices seem to be endless… but if you are looking to do these things with an eye on selling sometime in the near term it is wise to approach the project(s) with care.
Now there clearly is no way I can fully address all of those options in the limited space allowed. So, I’ll focus on the number one place that most people start: The Paint Department.
Before you select your paint color(s), take a moment to look at what you’re about to paint
(usually walls) and see what kind of shape they are in. Now is the time to recondition those walls and repair any damage. Chief among the possible items being addressed at this point may be the “damage” created by previous painting efforts or excessive painting. Poor paint type or application methods can all but ruin a surface. This can sometimes be corrected by sanding or “sizing” the walls. Make use of Google to find out more about this.
If the walls are in really horrible shape, you may want to consider re-sheet-rocking the walls with ¼” drywall or in less sever cases using a technique called Knock-Down… Another Google opportunity!
Once walls are in good shape … smooth and clear of blemishes, clean them well with a cleaner like Simple Green or Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) and then caulk any cracks or gaps near trim.
Ok now were ready to actually select the paint. Back in the waiting line… Or go to one of the many websites provide by leading paint manufactures where you can upload a photo of the area to be painted and test out the possible colors. Note many of these websites also offer the ability to print a coupon that can save you up to 30% on your paint!
If you opt not to do the online thing, go by the store and gather some color swatches that look like possibilities and bring them home to view in your home and in the light that you will actually see the color… The amount and type light play a big role is what the color will really look like in your home. My suggestion is go for a neutral color. Currently grays are the big color family for wall color…And believe me there are more than 50 Shades of Gray! Then add the spice to your room through the use of window treatments and accessories. This will give you far more versatility and if looking to sell provide a more universally appealing setting for potential buyers.
You are now ready to paint so that the investment in paint is actually rewarded with the hoped for result.
Oh but before you start applying paint protect the surrounding area. While plastic drop clothes are abundant and cheap… Don’t use them! Opt instead for canvas (duck clothe) drop clothes… There is a tendency to track paint on to floors with the plastic clothes much more likely than with the canvas clothes. You can tape off areas/edges. When selecting tape, opt for the more expensive Frog Tape that develops a tighter seal when it is wet by the paint. But even if you tape edges, I would recommend using edging tools as though the areas were not taped.
Now when applying paint, it’s important to learn how to apply paint so that the brush and roller patterns are not visible … again Google and YouTube are great resources here… always ready when your are.
All of these little details are important in making that paint job an actual improvement. As my Drill Instructor in the Marine Corp drilled into us at Paris Island… There’s a right way and a wrong way to do everything… and the difference though seemingly small makes all the difference. Well those weren’t the exact words he used but his exact words can’t be repeated here.
There you go… Improve your home now and enjoy it for years to come!
May the Market be with you.
