Paint is a key enhancement for both interiors and exteriors. Of all the things you can do to freshen up a home for the least expense, paint is far and away the most cost-effective.
Sorry, but I’m not a big fan of wallpaper, although it can work if simple in design (no flowery prints, please.) If you have existing wallpaper in your home, you can try removing it and re-texturing the wall (if necessary), but if it is strongly adhered, you might be able to paint right over it. It has worked for me before.
If the ceilings have an acoustic (“popcorn”) sprayed surface, I highly recommend that you consider scraping it off and retexturing the ceiling smooth. (Beware, however, of possible toxins like asbestos in older acoustic ceilings.) Popcorn is an indication of cheap construction, so it’s best gone from your home.
The hardest part of choosing a color is visualizing how it will look in your home based solely on a swatch from the paint store. In general, light neutral earth tones (e.g., eggshell, almond, cream, sand, biscuit) or mediums (e.g., gray, taupe, beige) always work well. However, don’t discount darker colors altogether. Using deeper neutrals (e.g., chocolate, charcoal) for the main wall color, or adding more contrast, can make a large room seem more intimate and cozy.
In my e-book, “Transform Your House! How to Update & Upgrade (Without Major Remodeling),” I identify some inexpensive interactive software programs that let you colorize images of your own rooms so you can test a color before you paint.
Also, help your paint do its job of lightening the mood of the house by doing what you can to let in more sunlight. That means things like lightweight curtains, clean windows & screens, skylights and Solatubes.
As with the interior, paint is the most cost-effective wonder cure for the exterior of a “plain vanilla” or older home, especially if you can apply it yourself. There are so many colors and textures available to add vibrancy and character, but be careful about getting carried away with anything too crazy. What you like might not appeal to others, so stick with neutral colors.
If you like to make frequent updates to your decor, painting your home in a neutral allows you to do things like change the color of your front door or repaint your house trim without having to repaint the entire house.
But don’t be afraid to experiment with effects like a faux finish or sponge texture. After all, you can always paint over it. In fact, I have been known to go through several applications of various colors and effects before settling on something, and even then I might change it again in a month or two!
Seek simplicity, comfort and value!
Learn more at http://TransformYourHouse.com
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