Hold up color swatches to compare paint colors in natural and artificial light.
The bedroom is your personal sanctuary. No matter its theme, it will not be complete without the right color of paint. During a bedroom makeover, consider the theme and the elements in that theme, such as decorations, bedding and furniture. Once you have the right color, the fun begins with transforming your dull room into something extraordinary.
Instructions
1. Pick a color. Consider all of the design elements, such as the color of the furniture, style of the bedding and curtains as well as the decor elements that will accent the room. For example, a nautical-themed bedroom will most likely require blue or white. Select a few paint sample cards to bring home and hold them up against different walls with both the natural light and bedroom light to see how the shade will look. Use a light shade if the room is naturally dark. Consider using a different color for an accent wall to make a small room look larger.
2. Pick a sheen for the paint. The sheen, or finish, is the aftereffect that the paint will have once it dries. Flat or matte finishes work for elegant rooms or rooms that receive too much sunlight. Satin or eggshell finishes work well in high-traffic areas, such as a child's room. Semigloss or high-gloss finishes are good for molding, trim and other woodwork in the room.
3. Prepare the room for painting by moving all of the furniture toward the center of the room and away from the walls. Cover the furniture with old sheets or drop cloths. Remove any items that are hanging on the walls and set them aside. Cover the floor in front of each wall with a drop cloth or newspaper. Line the edges of molding, trim and baseboards with painters tape to prevent wall paint from coming into contact with them.
4. Fill any cracks or holes with a joint compound and putty knife. Press the compound into the wall's imperfections and smooth it away with the edge of a putty knife. Allow the compound to dry for at least four hours, and sand the area with a fine-grit sandpaper until smooth and even.
5. Wash the walls with a solution of warm water and trisodium phosphate, also known as TSP. You can buy TSP in most hardware or paint supply stores next to the paints and stains. Mix the product according to the manufacturer's instructions for painted surfaces. Use a sponge to wipe away any dirt, grease or fingerprints and let the walls air dry.
6. Prime the walls with a thin coat of latex-based primer and a . Allow the primer to dry for at least 12 hours.
7. Use a trim paintbrush to paint around the baseboards, trim and molding. Follow the woodwork of the room in a single direction to prevent heavy brush strokes from showing up.
8. Apply a thin coat of the wall color paint using a paint roller. Pour a small amount of paint into the reservoir of the paint tray and roll the roller's nap into it. Even the amount of paint on the roller by rolling it against the ridges on the flat portion of the paint tray. Make sure the roller is not oversaturated to prevent drips from forming on the wall.
9. Roll the paint roller against the wall's surface in a zigzag motion without lifting the roller up. Move from side to side in a vertical pattern. Continue the process until the entire wall is covered. Allow the wall to dry according to the drying time listed on the label.
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