How To Prepare Your Interior Walls For Decorating

Decorating is the simplest and most effective way to transform your home. Whether it is embellishing with artwork, accessories, or simply painting the interior walls, there are endless ways to give your home a new look.

Speaking of painting, it is a common DIY job that many people take up themselves. In fact, a good paint job can be achieved if the homeowner has the proper tools, quality paint, and the patience and skills for it.

So, if you feel like you can do it on your own, go ahead. If not, you can always hire a professional to do the job for you.

Whatever the case, you should make a plan first before starting this kind of project. This includes the budget you will spend from preparing the walls to the cost of skimming walls and how you want your home décor to look like in the end.

These are crucial things you must think of before you are ready to roll up your sleeves. Once you figure out everything, you can continue with the project. For the whole job to go smoothly, there are several steps that you should follow to achieve the perfect finish.

Step 1: Clean your walls and decorating area

Painting can get messy, so your first step should be to protect your belongings throughout the whole job.

This means removing furniture or covering it with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting, so they don’t get damaged.

Next is preparing your walls before painting. You can start by dusting them using a towel or a vacuum cleaner.

If your walls have markings on them, gently wash them off with a sponge and warm water. If they have oil or grease stains, clean them off with water and grease-cutting detergent.

Let the surfaces dry thoroughly, and in the meantime, apply a roll of painter’s tape to the edges of the room’s corners and door and window casings to protect them from paint splatter.

Step 2: Remove old paint and check for damages

If you have wallpaper on your walls, make sure you strip it. While you could paint over it, it's better to remove it to eliminate any imperfections underneath.

Then, check your walls for other damages.

If there are lumps, sand them down with sandpaper. Scrap off any cracking or flaking paint with a paint scalper.

After doing this, make sure you clean the area well to avoid picking up any dust on the paintbrush. 

 Do a thorough check of the walls, so the paint goes on smoothly.

Step 3: Plastering and skimming all the flaws

Plastering and skimming involve removing uneven layers from the walls so a thin coat can be applied. This is done by wet-plastering or by dry-lining using plasterboard.

The skimming plaster can cover the plasterboard or apply it over existing walls to achieve a smooth finish.

Since this technique requires skill, it is recommended that you hire a professional, especially if elastomeric paint is involved. Elastomeric paint is an old technology that's also expensive so consult Paisley Painting to understand your options. You want your interior to look perfect, so this step is essential.

By plastering and skimming all the flaws, you increase the walls' durability while making the surface more appealing. It's a win, win! 

Step 4: Choose a decorating color and design

The next step is choosing the right color you want for your walls. This may seem like an easy step, but you don’t want to dedicate all your time to painting only to discover later on that you don’t like the color.

To make the right decision, think about whether you want a warm, cool, or neutral shade.

For example, bright colors are perfect for bathrooms or your bedroom, and darker colors can add a sense of dimension in your kitchen.

You might want to consider your furniture and decorations, so the color and design complement the rest of the room.

The best thing about this step is that you can get color samples and test them before committing. Remember that the color you will see when you first apply the paint and after it dries out won’t be the same.

Step 5: Paint away

After doing all the necessary preparations of the wall and choosing the perfect color, you can finally start your painting.

Once the primer dries, mix the paint thoroughly and begin painting at the trim by hand. It would be best if you painted it by hand for precision.

Painting the entire wall should be done using a wide roller. Paint from the ceiling downward in the form of a W.

Once you have applied the first coat, be patient, and wait for it to dry before applying a second coat.

Also, make sure your safety is a top priority when painting.

Always wear gloves when using fillers or other chemical products. Put on protective goggles to prevent any paint or dust from getting into your eyes.

Final thoughts

Although decorating your interior walls may be a very simple job, several steps must be done for the job to go smoothly.

From proper wall preparation to finally painting the walls, make sure you follow this five-step guide to achieve the perfect results.

Even in the end, don’t forget to check the walls to make sure everything looks perfect. Once the paint has dried out, you are ready to flaunt your new walls to your family and friends. Happy decorating!