Before You Paint
I’m so excited- I just found out that we can paint the walls in my new apartment (as long as it’s painted back when we move out). I think I want darker neutrals- gray, or maybe black for an accent wall. I’m just not quite sure where to start. That’s why I found this article by Debbie at Refresh Restyle- it’s a super detailed tutorial on how to prep your walls before you paint them:
-Look for damage on the wall- repair holes/dents with spackle, sand it, and remove dust
-Remove electrical plate covers
-STIR your paint!
-Remove fuzz from paint rollers with tape
-Use painters tape around areas you don’t want to paint!
-Paint away!
Friday Fun Video: Deck Painting Tutorial
Give your deck a makeover with a fresh coat of paint!
Old House Makeover Tips
Is your home 30 years old, or older? Does it have old school features like wooden wall panels, bad carpeting, and accessories as old as the home itself? Then it may be time for an update. This post is not an in depth guide to renovation and repairs: most of this stuff is purely cosmetic. However, upgrading old appliances and décor, and giving a place a fresh new paint job s important to giving it new life! Check out these makeover tips for old houses by Virginia at Live Love DIY:
-Sand down wood on floors, walls, trim, and doors- prep it for painting
-Paint everything in white or neutral colors!
-Remove closet doors to create open spaces
-Paint old furniture and change out hardware
Easy Staircase Makeover
Does your staircase need some love? If it’s anything like mine, it has old, stained carpet and outdated looking rails. When you’re trying to sell your home, buyers are definitely going to be looking at details like the staircase. If your staircase could use a fast, easy makeover, read this tutorial by Diane at In My Own Style. All she did was remove carpet and add a little paint and polish! The results are absolutely beautiful! Check out the post for the full photo tutorial.
Friday Fun Video: Wall Paint Inspiration
Good ideas to add color and personality to your home!
Spray Painting Furniture
I’m more than a little challenged when it comes to painting- walls, furniture, or anything else. I always feel like I miss giant spots, drip it on everything, and just generally make a mess. Me and paint brushes just aren’t friends. That’s why I love spray painting. It’s fast and easy, and you can’t really mess anything up as long as you paint outside. Some types of furniture are much more suited to spray paint than others. If you want to give any pieces in your home a quick spray paint makeover, check out this post by Painted Furniture Ideas. Spray paint is perfect for:
-Side tables, end tables, night stands.
-Bar stools, chairs.
-Coffee tables, small console tables.
How to Start Decorating Your First Home
If you’re like most people, you probably want your home to look well put-together. If you’re like me, you want that, but have no idea where to start. My favorite design style is “bohemian,” but it’s hard to pull that off without having your home look cluttered and mismatched. For beginner decorating tips that you can match to any personal style, check out this post by Liz Lynch at Who What Wear:
-Begin with paint- decide on a color scheme for the room, or pick a nice neutral color
-Choose classic pieces for furniture, rather than something trendy that will feel outdated in a few years
-Lay down some rugs- they add personality and texture to a room
-Splurge on lighting that you love
-Add textiles
-Put up some inexpensive/DIY wall art
Wordless Wednesday: Perfectly Pink Paint Palette
Friday Fun Video: Cleaning Dried Out Paintbrushes
Left your paintbrush sitting out too long without washing it out? No problem! Don’t waste your money buying tons of new paintbrushes when you have these simple techniques.