Home decorating is more than the latest trend; it increases the value and enjoyment of any property. The easiest way to get maximum value from your personal and monetary investment is with a fresh coat of paint. Maintaining and improving your home enhances both your living style and your long-term investment. The money you spend on fixing up your property today will pay for itself in profits when you decide to sell. Painting your home indoors, and outdoors, is the fastest and easiest way to create the look you want, without spending a bundle. Painting your home doesn't have to be a major undertaking. Just follow these simple steps: Mix it Up The first step to a great finish is to fully stir the paint before you begin. Even though paints are professionally mixed when you buy them, the colors can separate during storage and transportation. If you fail to completely stir the paint you can end up with an uneven finish. Using a stir stick can be tiresome, and your portable or electric drill offers a great alternative. Cut a plastic clothes hanger into a long "J" shape and insert it into the end of your drill. This handy tool provides a time-saving and energy-conserving means of mixing the paint to perfection. Tap Away the Drips Most people get the excess paint from a brush by scraping it against the edge of the can. This can cause drips and waste valuable paint. Try tapping or slapping the brush instead. This will keep more paint at the end of the brush, where you want it, and the excess will fall into the can instead of dripping down the sides. You'll also be able to cover more area between dips, which is an important tip if you're traveling up and down the ladder. Know Your Codes Painting your porch and fence bright red might seem like a good idea, but can be an exercise is wasted time and money. Check into any existing building and decorating codes and restrictions before you start the job. For example, residents in your neighborhood or housing complex may be restricted to using neutral tones for any outdoor decorating. The size, height and color of outdoor structures such as fences may also be under code. Go Lead-Free Hundreds of thousands of children in the United States have been affected by lead poisoning caused by paint. Old, deteriorating lead-based paint in your home can lead to this type of injury. Strip and replace all old paint in your home with new lead-free paint. Lead poisoning can lead to learning difficulties, and that's a chance that no one wants to take. Prime Yourself Careful preparation is the first step to getting the job done quickly and properly. Using a good quality primer can also save money, as you need to use less paint in the pricey top coat. There are many jobs that you can do yourself, if you're willing to put the time and energy into it. For example, bevel your existing fence posts rather than spending the money on brand new ones. With a radial saw and some basic knowledge of geometry, you'll have no trouble cutting the perfect angles for your new picket fence. Painting made easy is really just a matter of preparation. Get all of the materials you'll need before you start, follow these tips and you'll be on your way to getting more enjoyment (and more money) out of your home.
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Home decorating is more than the latest trend; it increases the value and enjoyment of any property. The easiest way to get maximum value from your personal and monetary investment is with a fresh coat of paint.
Contributor Sadie Bedgegood is a frequent contributor to a variety of well-known web sites, on home improvement and home furnishing issues. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.
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