Jul 242 min read

A Designer’s Guide to Paint

Updated: Jul 31

Color Psychology

The colors in our environment can influence our emotions and affect our daily lives. Many studies have delved into how colors shape our moods. Be sure to consider the overall feeling you wish to achieve in your space before committing to your paint color.

Painting Tips

Take your time in making your paint selection. Always test out the paint in your space in multiple areas of the room to get a sense of what it really will look and feel like. The same paint can look different in two different homes, based on both the artificial and natural light of each space. If you’re installing new lighting, don’t choose the paint until after you’ve sampled your paint with the new lighting. Keep in mind that paint will also look different depending on the time of day. Make sure to see how you like the paint at various times throughout the day. Check how it looks in the morning, the afternoon, and then again at night with no sunlight.

Nowadays, the process of choosing paint colors has been simplified as many companies offer peel-and-stick paint samples. These are helpful as you can easily try out the swatches in different areas of the home, all while keeping it mess-free.

Prep, prep, and more prep

Prepping a space may take a while, but it’ll make your paint job go much more smoothly. Painter’s tape and canvas drop cloths are your best buddies.

Remove excess paint

When pouring paint out of the can, use a brush to remove the excess paint from the brim of the can, so that you can replace the lid if needed.

Remove tape before paint dries

Remove the painter’s tape before the paint fully dries. This prevents the paint at the edges from chipping.

Wrap your paint roller

Wrap your roller tightly in a plastic bag to keep it from drying out while you take breaks. It can last for days like this.

Pole extender

An extension pole attached to your roller will help you reach the higher areas. Before investing in purchasing one, check the mops and brooms in your house. You might be surprised to find that many have sticks that can be detached and double as a painter’s pole.

How much paint do I need?

Generally, for every 300-400 square feet, you’ll need 1 gallon of paint. Dividing your total square footage by 400 and rounding up will give you the estimated number of gallons you’ll need.