Connecting To Your Inner Designer Through Paint

Painting doesn't have to be a chore. Today's selection of colors, tools and techniques takes the challenges and fears out of painting. Below are five simple painting solutions to help your inner interior designer shine through:

1. Find your inspiration. Choosing a paint color for your room is easy. The key is finding your favorite item-a painting, a pillow or even a lampshade-and matching the paint color to your inspiration piece.

2. Choose the best sheen for your space. Wall sheens can vary depending upon the room. Ceilings are usually a flat sheen and molding is often satin or semi-gloss. By room, the following sheens are recommended: The family room, living room, dining room or bedroom should be painted with flat, eggshell or satin paint. Kids' rooms should be painted with satin or semi-gloss. Kitchens and baths should be painted in semi-gloss or hi-gloss.

3. Consider size. The size of your room is a huge consideration when choosing color. Different shades can be used in different rooms to help maximize or minimize a space. Make small rooms feel larger by using light and airy colors or a monochromatic color scheme. Make a large room feel cozy by using warm, dark colors on the ceiling.

4. Avoid harmful paint fumes. Paint fumes stink-literally. The volatile organic compounds (VOC) found in most paints cause a strong odor and may make your painting experience unpleasant. Avoid a headache by using low-odor/zero-VOC paints, such as those made by Olympic Paints.

5. Buy the right amount of paint. A simple formula will ensure you have just the right amount of paint for your project: Determine the square footage of your room, then divide this number by 400. This will give you the number of gallons you need to purchase.

The right paint can quickly change the feel of a room.

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