Using the right techniques can elevate your home painting project to professional quality. Whether brushing trim, rolling walls, or sponging for texture, these house painting tips will help you achieve flawless results.
Clear obstacles from your workspace and cover furniture with plastic sheeting to protect it from paint splatter. Henrique also suggests painting large swatches of color before you commit to a final color.
Wall Stenciling
Wall stenciling can transform your walls into gallery-worthy works of art without breaking the bank. But the key to successful stenciling is in your preparation – and understanding how paint behaves on different surfaces.
Before you begin, make sure your walls are smooth and evenly primed. If your wall has texture or other imperfections, these may show through your finished product and ruin your hard work in seconds.
You’ll also want to use a flat base paint, as high-sheen finishes can increase the risk of paint seepage. You should also be prepared with a level, a step ladder (if necessary), and a drop cloth to protect your furniture and flooring.
Rag Rolling
With this subtractive technique, you brush on a glaze and then rub it off while still wet. The resulting imprints can be subtle or dramatic.
Use this wall painting technique to create a distressed look or to add texture. Try softer pastels in nurseries and children’s rooms for a calming effect, or darker earth tones in dining rooms or bedrooms for a more traditional feel.
Begin by applying the base coat of paint with a roller. Let it dry for a few hours before beginning your rag-rolling process. Wet a clean rag and dab it on the wet glaze, working in 2 by 2-foot sections. Overlap each rag section slightly to blend the contrasting colors. Continue until the surface is covered in your desired pattern.
Sponging
Sponging is a common painting technique that creates unique textures and effects. It works well for blending colors and adding depth to a piece of art, and can also be used to add texture to a wall or wood panel. It’s important to avoid overworking this technique, as excess paint can muddy the colors and obscure the natural variations of the sponge texture. Light dabs are more effective and preserve the sponge’s texture.
A sponge can also be used to add highlights and shadows. Applying a lighter shade in areas that would naturally catch the light is an easy way to elevate the look of a rocky surface or leafy foliage. Pairing this technique with stencils can allow for defined patterns to contrast with textured backgrounds.
Ombre
Color can dramatically affect the look of a room, and it can make it feel bigger or smaller. That’s why it’s important to understand how to use paint colors strategically. Professional painters have an institutional knowledge of how to get their painting jobs to look crisp and clean.
Balayage and ombre are similar techniques but they differ in a few ways. For one, balayage is a technique of hand-painting or sweeping hair color whereas ombre is more of a dramatic two-toned hair color effect that’s darker at the roots and lighter down the length.
Ombre blending is also used in fabrics, threads and ribbons to add movement and depth. This technique can be used to create a variety of effects, from a subtle gradient to a bold, full-saturation color.
Checkering
Checkering is an art that combines aesthetics and practicality. A good hand-cut checkering job can enhance grip and safety while displaying the figure of the wood. However, it can be a difficult task for beginners and one tiny slip could ruin the whole stock. To avoid this it’s advisable to hire a professional or practice on junk stocks.
First, master lines are laid out to define the outline of the checkered pattern. Then a single line cutter is used to cut the grooves. It’s important to be consistent with the depth of each cut to ensure an even checkered design. Typically, pointed checkering at 18 lines per inch is done on tight-grained walnuts. However, if the pores of the wood seal up with several coats of finish, it can be done at finer lines per inch.
Crackling
Painting is one of the cheapest home improvement projects you can do, and it makes a big difference in the look of a room. It takes time and preparation, though, and it’s important to understand the techniques that professionals use to achieve a high-quality finish.
Professionals always clean walls, trim, and other surfaces to be painted before starting any work. Dust attracts paint and can cause it to peel, especially on vertical surfaces. It’s best to use a degreasing cleaner and then rinse the surface thoroughly.
Henrique says he’s seen experienced painters “load the roller thoroughly and then twirl it slowly as they bring it up to the middle of the wall or ceiling.” This slow, rhythmic motion helps set the paint on the roller and prevents drips.
Stripe
Professional painters have a lot of institutional knowledge about how to get that crisp, clean look. Some of it is so ingrained in them that they don’t even think to convey it when asked about it.
For example, many experienced painters twirl their rollers slowly and deliberately as they bring them up toward the middle of the wall (or up to the ceiling). This slow, rhythmic twirl sets the paint and prevents it from dripping.
This is just one of the interior painting tips that seasoned house painters use to create beautiful, professional-looking rooms. Learn more about these interior painting techniques and get started on your next project! Match with a local painter.