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How Do I… Save Money When Painting My Home?
Painting experts share budget-friendly tips for doing it on your own
Niki Bruce
30 July 2018
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my inner-homeowner run free!
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my... More
We all know the excitement that comes when you finally hold the keys to your first home, but then what? How do you decorate it inexpensively to really make it your own?
Well, according to the experts from Dulux, with a few “easy and affordable paint ideas” you’ll be able to create a home that you’ll love.
Image: Dulux Singapore
Well, according to the experts from Dulux, with a few “easy and affordable paint ideas” you’ll be able to create a home that you’ll love.
Image: Dulux Singapore
I totally agree; I painted my entire first home down to the kitchen laminate and the bathroom tiles!
When I bought my first apartment it was ‘lovingly’ decorated in shades of brownish-yellow. But I saw through the colour to the bones of the apartment and bought it straightaway.
When I bought my first apartment it was ‘lovingly’ decorated in shades of brownish-yellow. But I saw through the colour to the bones of the apartment and bought it straightaway.
Getting rid of the colours I didn’t like was easy. I got the brown-gold tiled floors overlaid with dark grey slate and then I started painting.
It was definitely not as hard as I thought it would be plus it was many times cheaper than hiring someone to do it for me.
It was definitely not as hard as I thought it would be plus it was many times cheaper than hiring someone to do it for me.
Picking the right colours
“Paint is one of the easiest ways to infuse your personal style into any new space,” says the team from AzkoNobel, maker of Dulux paints.
“But before you start painting, give some careful consideration tothe colours you pick and which hues [of that colour] best suits your needs.
“When choosing a colour scheme, the trick is to narrow down your choices. Start by collecting swatches or pictures of the colours you’re drawn to, then edit these down to one colour palette,” they suggest.
Image: Dulux Singapore
How to stop procrastinating on paint colours
“Paint is one of the easiest ways to infuse your personal style into any new space,” says the team from AzkoNobel, maker of Dulux paints.
“But before you start painting, give some careful consideration tothe colours you pick and which hues [of that colour] best suits your needs.
“When choosing a colour scheme, the trick is to narrow down your choices. Start by collecting swatches or pictures of the colours you’re drawn to, then edit these down to one colour palette,” they suggest.
Image: Dulux Singapore
How to stop procrastinating on paint colours
Tip: Neutral shades like beige and off-white are timeless and can be worked seamlessly into almost any décor scheme.
Tip: For a more contemporary look, dark, bold colours like deep charcoal grey or rich colours like petrol blue will immediately add drama and flair to your new home.
Decorate with a pop of colour
What do you do if you can’t afford to repaint your entire new flat? Well, the experts say don’t worry; there are things you can do with just a bit of paint that will make a huge difference.
“With some strategic colour placement, you can instantly transform an entire room with a little bit of paint,” explains the team.
“Whether it’s a whole feature wall or simply a window frame, a pop of colour can refresh any space. Bright hues have the most energising effect, especially if you go for warm tones like yellows and oranges.
“If you’re in need of a bit of calm after a stressful move, pale greens and violets will create a soothing scheme.
Tip: Wondering which paint colour to select for your walls? You can try using testers to try out the colours on your wall first before you paint. Dulux has these cool little squeezy paint testers you can try, called Colour Play Testers. But most paint stores will sell small pots of the various colours you want to try.
What do you do if you can’t afford to repaint your entire new flat? Well, the experts say don’t worry; there are things you can do with just a bit of paint that will make a huge difference.
“With some strategic colour placement, you can instantly transform an entire room with a little bit of paint,” explains the team.
“Whether it’s a whole feature wall or simply a window frame, a pop of colour can refresh any space. Bright hues have the most energising effect, especially if you go for warm tones like yellows and oranges.
“If you’re in need of a bit of calm after a stressful move, pale greens and violets will create a soothing scheme.
Tip: Wondering which paint colour to select for your walls? You can try using testers to try out the colours on your wall first before you paint. Dulux has these cool little squeezy paint testers you can try, called Colour Play Testers. But most paint stores will sell small pots of the various colours you want to try.
Tips and tricks for DIY painting
- Clear the clutter: Get rid of any old furniture or boxes you don’t plan on keeping. Move whatever is left to the middle of the room and cover with a dust sheet to protect from accidental spills and splatters.
- Budget before you buy: Before you proceed with your purchase, avoid overspending or underbuying by calculating how much paint do you need. Simply use the Dulux paint calculator for instructions to calculate the right amount of paint you require.
- Use the right tools: Aside from paint brushes, rollers and trays and good-quality masking tape are also an essential for a clean, crisp paint job.
- Prep your walls: To ensure a smooth canvas, check walls for any holes or cracks that need to be filled using plaster filler. Follow this with a coat of water-based sealer to improve adhesion of the new paint.
- Start painting: Tape over skirting, door frames, light switches and cornices. Use a small brush and paint a one-inch border around the edges before painting the rest in with a roller.
Tip: If you’re really tight on cash, ask paint suppliers if they have any overstocked colours available. Sometimes large orders that are placed for commercial jobs could be the wrong colour or over-ordered.
Even if it’s just basic white, you could have it tinted with a colour you like. Or, if it’s already a particular colour and you’re not ‘loving it’; ask to have it cut to half or quarter strength so you have a lighter version that you might love better. It never hurts to ask.
Remember, if you don’t like the colour you’ve chosen and painted your home, you can always paint over it.
Even if it’s just basic white, you could have it tinted with a colour you like. Or, if it’s already a particular colour and you’re not ‘loving it’; ask to have it cut to half or quarter strength so you have a lighter version that you might love better. It never hurts to ask.
Remember, if you don’t like the colour you’ve chosen and painted your home, you can always paint over it.
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