Interior Decorating & Paint

There are lots of options to consider when painting and decorating a house.

One of the most important choices when decorating a house is how to paint the rooms and what color to choose. Because of the many colors and various shades within colors, there are even more decisions.

Color Choice

There are three main color groups. Hard, or warm, colors are colors such as red, yellow and orange. These are bright colors that make a room feel warmer. The warmest of the colors is red-orange. Soft, or cool, colors are colors such as blue and green. These colors are meant to have a calming effect. Earth tones are the last group of colors, including beige, brown and gray. These give a sophisticated feeling to a room.

Oil Paint

Using oil-based paints has its advantages. It goes on smoothly and takes longer to dry, which means you have more time to work with the paint if you're trying to texture the walls, for example. Also, it's more durable in areas with lots of traffic (such as hallways). However, oil is likely to crack and fade over time. Also, the paint must be disposed of at a hazardous waste removal center. Brushes must all be cleaned with turpentine or a similar chemical.

Latex Paint

This type of paint is water based, and is more available than oil-based paints. The cleanup is quick and easy because all that's needed is soap and water. This paint dries fast and doesn't yellow over time. It's also easily disposed of. A drawback of using latex paint is that it swells wood grain, so the walls must be sanded between coats.

Paint Finishes

There are four types of paint finishes: flat, satin, semi-gloss and gloss. Flat is best used on walls where there are usually fewer people, such as dining rooms. Satin is a popular finish to use in areas where there are more people, and in kids' rooms. This kind of paint can be scrubbed and washed, making it very durable. Semi-gloss is great for kitchens and laundry rooms. It's also good to use on trim. Gloss is best used for trim, as it has a high sheen.

Brush Choice

Brushes exist in all shapes and sizes, and are made out of different materials. The brush choice depends on the painter and on the type of paint being used. Brushes with natural bristles, such as ox hair, should be used for oil-based paints. Synthetic bristles should be used with latex paint. Hold different brushes and use the one that feels most comfortable. Use angled brushes in corners and flat brushes for flat surfaces. For large flat surfaces, use rollers.

References

• HGTV: "Interior Paint"
• HGTV: "Painting 101- All About Brushes"
• HGTV: "Painting 101- Oil or Latex"
• Home Decorating Made Easy