MAIN Home Improvement Home Remodeling House & Room Painting

Whether you're getting the guest room ready for the holidays, planning a spring or summer home makeover for every room in the house, or protecting the exterior of your home, help is on the way ...

Before taking on that big paint job, first take advantage of expert advice on the Web to help with decisions on flat or glossy, prep and plastering, color and paint quality:

• Color From the beginning, color is probably the most difficult decision you'll have to face. You'll have to live with it for a while, so make sure the hue, intensity and color temperature (from cool greens to warm ambers to hot reds) not only match the carpet and drapes, but your style and temperament, as well. Also take into consideration that those color charts at the paint supply or hardware store tend to dry a bit darker than they appear.
  
  
• Flat, glossy or semi-gloss? Generally, the rule of thumb is to use flat colors in areas like bedrooms and living rooms. Easy-to-clean glossy finishes are reserved for kitchens, bathrooms, basements or kids play areas. Use semi-gloss for woodwork and trim.
  
  
• Oil or water-based? With high quality water-based latex or acrylic paints on the market there are few reasons to put up with oil paint odor and messy cleanup. However, despite the mess, a single coat of oil-based primer may save you several coats of acrylic paint if dealing with a drastic change in color or hard-to-cover areas.
  
  
• Prep & plastering Ideally, larger pieces of furniture should be moved to another room, but if that's not possible use the center of the room and cover all with a sturdy drop cloth. Next, clean all surfaces to be painted, then repair small cracks using premixed wall patches or a drywall repair kit. For larger cracks and holes, use plaster of paris or a premixed plaster repair compound. Next, (you're almost done!) use cheap masking tape to mask any areas you do not wish to paint, like trim or baseboards.
  
  
• Paint Since you want it to last several years or more, make sure the paint you use is top-shelf when it comes to quality. Although less-costly paints are initially easier on the pocketbook, homeowners often end up painting more frequently and spend more money over the long haul using cheaper brands.

More about house & room painting around the Web:

With the painting basics out of the way, check out the rest of the Web for more tips on buying and using brushes and rollers, how to's on applying textured paints and faux finishes, quick cleanup tips, plus money saving guides to transforming your home with a brand new look ...

How to paint a room - The newbie step-by-step guide with a list of materials & supplies, tips on prep and plastering, safety and proper ventilation.

How to Choose the Right Paint Color - About.com guide to complimentary colors, using color swatches, color coordination, paint finishes and more.

How Stuff Works - Painting - Tips on interior room and exterior house painting with illustrated guides to plastering and repairs, types of paint, applying faux finishes, tools & tips, money saving ideas, related videos and feature articles on home decor.

Paint, Stain, Wallcovering - The online home of the popular TV series Hometime with basic how to's on preparing room painting projects to more advanced tips on faux painting techniques, stenciling, wood staining and wallpapering.

Painting, Staining 101 - Tim Carter at AskTheBuilder.com with expert advice on planning with tips on floors and exterior house painting, whitewashing brick, interior faux finishes, kitchen cabinet painting. Also surf around for more on plaster & crack repairs, drywall, caulking.

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