A sure way to give your home a fresh new look is with a few tins of paint - colour can really change the ambience of a house and is a great way of reflecting your personality. But it’s one of those jobs that many of us wish we hadn’t started about halfway after opening that first tin, and getting the paintwork looking perfect can be real challenge. If you can afford it, it’s always best to enlist the help of a professional painter and decorator- but if that’s not an option, here are a few tips to make decorating as pain free as possible.

Preparation is everything

The key to a stress free decorating job is all in the preparation.  As Hammersmith estate agent Lawsons and Daughters says, “Taking the time to properly clear the space, clean surfaces, remove flaky paint and cover the floor will help you avoid costly mistakes”. In fact, most professional decorators spend more time on the prep work than they do on the actual painting itself- up to 70% is spent creating a blank canvas and getting surfaces ready to work on. Many of us are tempted to get stuck in with the colour before doing the correct amount of prep, but this approach will almost certainly result in a shoddy job. Spending time filling holes, grouting and removing mould and dirt is essential if you want a professional finish, so you’ll need to set aside a good few hours before you pick up that first paint tin.

Choose the right paint

There are lots of paints available that are marketed as “one coat” options, but in reality that’s a statement which is best advised to be taken with a pinch of salt. The vast majority of paints will still need at least a couple of coats, particularly if the new colour is lighter than the one underneath. Denhan Guaranteed Rent specialists say, “Investing a little extra time and money will pay dividends in the long run and help you create a stylish, professional effect.”

Use the best quality tools you can afford

When people are on a tight budget it’s often tempting to buy cheap tools to get the job done quickly, but if you want the end result to be worthwhile it’s best to invest in the best quality you possibly can. Cheap paintbrushes are notorious for moulting and leaving hairs in the paint, and they don’t give anywhere near as good a finish as more expensive options. A good brush can last years if properly looked after, so go for quality over cost as much as your budget allows.

Concentrate on the edges and cutting in first

Whilst it can be tempting to just go ahead and start splashing paint on the walls, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and effort if you do all your cutting in first. All professional painters take this approach because it’s a far quicker and more efficient way to get a good result, so start will your small brush around electrical sockets, window frames and in the corners before going all out on the main event.

Wear overalls

Overalls and plastic foot covers are a godsend when it comes to decorating- many a DIY’er has ended up covered in paint and walked it all over the rest of the house, so covering up first is a sensible way to avoid any mishaps. Cover the floors in plastic sheeting and you should come out of the whole experience accident free!

According to Nationwide Skip hire Proskips, you can’t afford to skimp on the presentation of your home if you’re looking to sell. “It is essential to present your home in its best possible light if you want to make a quick sell. Buyers are almost always more attracted to clean, tidy and well decorated homes as it’s easier to imagine moving in straight away.”