Expert Tips for Painting Your Room

So you've decided on a fresh coat of paint to update your room. Good choice! Painting your walls is the most dramatic way to refresh the interior of your home and make it warm and welcoming. And for most rooms, you can accomplish this in a single day. Paint is one of the base layers of a home decor plan, and is best done before updating with furniture and accessories. So let's get at it!

Planning and preparation are essential for a successful paint job. This doesn't have to be difficult. Once you've chosen your color and, with the help of your local paint or hardware store, bought the correct paint finish for your project (flat, satin, eggshell, high gloss, enamel), you're ready to begin. Don't be afraid to ask the paint experts for help.

The expert tips below will help you paint like a pro, with satisfying results.

Assemble Your Tools and Supplies

These might vary from job to job, and will depend on what you have on hand, but the basics remain the same.

• Rollers, roller covers with the correct nap for your wall texture, and an extension pole
• 1"- 2" brush for cutting in and small spaces - angled brushes work best
• Paint tray and liners
• Drop cloths and rags
• Painter's tape (the blue tape)
• Spackle paste and a putty knife to fill holes

Prepare the Room

This step protects your furniture and floors, plus the finished job will look better and last longer.

• Remove drapes, small furniture, wall hangings, etc.  
• Remove switch plates and hardware, if possible
• Use masking tape or plastic to cover anything you can't remove 
• Small items (like screws) can be covered with vaseline or chapstick (easy to wipe off later)
• Move larger furniture items to the center of the room and cover with a drop cloth 
• Tape off woodwork and make sure plastic dropcloths are taped down securely
• Clean surfaces as needed (wipe off dust and remove loose items or particles) 
• Spackle holes as needed and let dry per directions on container

Paint the Room   

Typically, painting starts with "cutting in" (painting the edges about 2" deep), then painting the ceiling (if you are painting it), then the walls, and finally the woodwork.

• If you have a steady hand while using a stiff 2" brush, you can skip the tape for cutting in; just be sure to have a damp cloth handy for quick wipe-ups
• Use short back-and-forth strokes to apply paint, but always finish with long, smooth strokes 
• Dip your brush only halfway into the paint to avoid glopping up the brush and ruining it
• When using a roller, work in 3 foot sections at a time, rolling a "W" on the wall, then filling in
• Almost any color looks better with a second coat, even if the can says one-coat coverage 
• Make sure the paint is completely dry before applying the second coat 

Here's a great video with more details on painting a room:

And click on this link for more helpful tips on painting:
47 Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Paint Job 

Clean-up 

This can be the most tedious part, but once you've put everything back in the room, you can enjoy the results!

You'll want to let a newly painted room dry or cure for at least 2 weeks before applying any Wall Stickers. Wall decals are the perfect way to add "art" to any room, and they come in 30 different colors. When it's time to change them, wall stickers are easy to remove–and they won't ruin your wonderful new paint job!

~Sallianne

A Girl's Room to Grow In

Has she already outgrown her baby girl nursery? Unbelievably, it's time to make it into a room more suitable for a big girl. Take a look at these ideas for inspiration as you make the changes that will recreate her space to give her room to grow in.

Color is your friend–and a remarkable tool for room decor. It sets a whole different mood and gives you a lot of bang for your buck. What little girl wouldn't love a rainbow-like, color filled room? Do be sure to use a neutral tone (white, cream, tan) somewhere in the room to balance out the brightness.

Wall quotes and wall sayings are popular with little girls and big girls alike. Let your daughter help choose the special wall decal that suits her perfectly–just click on our website! We have so many wall stickers for baby girl nursery decor, plus amazing choices that will strike a more grown-up mood as you update her space into a big girl bedroom. You'll be tempted to pick more than one!

Want to bring a little sophistication into her new girl's room? A pretty monogram wall sticker using her own initials will do the trick and it's so easy to do. Plus, the appeal is timeless. 

Try your hand at making a Chalkboard wall. These are a bit more work, but so worth it–fun for years to come, and encourages a budding artist. When she's tiny, you can draw pictures or write on it for her. Then, as she grows, she'll have a ball creating her own art work. Perfect to showcase a toddler's scribbles to a teen's drawings, poems, lists or goals, or even math equations. And, to display all those special photos and keepsakes, don't forget to include a bulletin board somewhere in your newly designed girl's room. 

Personalization is key, and a monogram sticker with her name is the perfect way to do this. It's also a great idea if siblings share a room; it helps them each define their own territory. Choose a zebra print monogram for some extra fun, or to go along with an animal theme.

Are you wanting to use pink in your girl's room, but don't want it to be too sweet or too pastel-like? Add some richer tones like browns, charcoal grays, or even black to balance out those sweet pink tones. It will give the room a little more sophistication.

Get inspired by the many ways to make her room into a big girl's dream come true! Go all out as you transform your baby girl's nursery into a big girl's room she is sure to enjoy for many years to come!
~ Sallianne