You may watch them all the time on TV. Those DIY’ers, better known as do it yourselfers, take on seemingly impossible tasks and make it look easy, and sometimes disastrous. So, how do beginners break into the do it yourself scene? Well, it takes a well thought out project and a little know-how. We thought painting might be a good start. We’re here to zero in on painting ideas for beginners; to help you look like the pros even if it’s the first time you’ve picked up a roller or a paintbrush.
Painting Ideas for Beginners
The first word of advice is to do your research before you leave home. If you ask for assistance at your local home improvement or paint store, the associate might be a little more interested in loading up your cart with unnecessary equipment rather than truly helping you. Reading this article is a great start to find some painting ideas for beginners. First, know the project you’re about to tackle. With a painting project, it’s important to know how much and which kind of paint, along with what sort of supplies you might need.
Should you use primer or just go for color on the walls? In looking online for painting advice, you can find a host of knowledge and advice. When it comes to using primer, the answer is almost always a resounding yes. So, put primer on your list. If you’re covering a bright color or painting over patterned wallpaper, you may need more than one coat to get you the clean slate you desire. Painting ideas for beginners can feel like a daunting task, but it’s important to know your own limits. If the project you want to do feels like too much, then try something a little less involved. You may eventually work up to painting the deck, bedroom, or outside shutters. Until you feel comfortable with a paintbrush or roller, it might be best to leave those projects unfinished or hire a professional to finish them up.
Advice from the Pros for Painting Ideas for Beginners
We did a little research for you to get the top advice from the online painting pros. If you type in painting ideas for beginners, you’ll get a whole list of advice for home and artistic painting projects. Let us muddle through the list for you. Here are some of the top pieces of advice we found helpful for painting ideas for beginners:
Try Samples First. This is a great idea! Most stores offer small pint sized cans of mixed paint. This allows you to take it home and test it on the wall or in the room to see if you really like it. You wouldn’t believe the difference a paint sample will make. Imagine going all out before trying a new color and after all your hard work and effort, you discover you hate the color. Sure, colors look great in the store, but it can be a completely different story when your Grandma’s picture is hanging on it at home. This is one of those painting ideas for beginners that should be followed.
Prepping the Area is Key to Success. Here’s another piece of advice from the pros that really makes sense. We warned you about unnecessary equipment before, but prepping projects help make your life a little easier and your project come out cleaner. Prepping the room before you paint consists of using painters’ tape to tape off baseboards, and molding. This way, you don’t get your new color all over trim. If you’re updating your trim color or giving those doors and windows a new coat of trim paint, you may also want to remove things like door knobs, handles, and hinges. When you get sloppy and paint over the hardware, it can leave your whole room looking and feeling sloppy. Taking a few minutes to remove hardware can save you a lot of time and money. To incorporate painting ideas for beginners doesn’t mean less work, but rather more professional results.
Combine Gallons for Consistency. This applies to larger projects that may take multiple gallons of paint. We see this all the time. You order three gallons of the very same color, bought at the same time, and mixed by the same paint technician. Yet, when you finish one gallon and start another on the same wall, you can see just a hint of difference in the color or texture. That’s because mixing paint is an inexact science. There’s just no way to get the same texture and consistency in the color from one gallon to another. Most paint stores or brands won’t even guarantee that either. So, one of the most helpful painting ideas for beginners and tips from the pros is to mix all those gallons of paint together in a large bucket first. This brings the uniformity in the color and consistency before you start painting. Then, you can dump the leftovers in an empty paint can and use it for touch ups in the future.
Perfect Beginner Projects for Painting Ideas for Beginners
So let’s look at some perfect projects for the beginner painter. These are just your size. And once you get your feet wet in this do it yourself world, you can move on to larger projects around your home or office.
Art Project. Now, this may sound like child’s play, but an art project is more than just painting by numbers. One of the many great painting ideas for beginners is to put a little piece of yourself or your taste to canvas and hang it on the wall. Maybe you like clean and modern lines. Maybe you like a rustic feel painted on old barn wood. Whatever your taste, make it your own.
Accent Wall. If art isn’t your thing, try painting an accent wall in your home. This can be a wall that you want the most focus on in your living or main room. You can also paint an accent wall in your kitchen to set it apart.
Small Pantry or Bath. Painting ideas for beginners doesn’t limit you to the important rooms of your home. Painting your pantry, walk-in closet, or a small bathroom can bring new appreciation for the space. It’s also a great starting point for beginners.
These painting ideas for beginners should get you started on the right road to a new home, at least a newly decorated home. If you were to find yourself in trouble while trying your hand at painting, you can always call in a professional. Don’t be afraid to hire someone with experience to come in and help or give advice on how to make the job even better.
