10 Tips When Decorating

Decorating your home can seem like a very daunting task, particularly if you are not very experienced or confidant. It does not have to be stressful though – plan exactly what you are going to do in each room, so you can be prepared and are not deciding whilst you are halfway through, and follow our simple tips to make your job that little bit easier!

If you are decorating around any windows, use wire wool to rub the paint work down instead of sandpaper. It will do the same job, but, unlike sandpaper, will not scratch the glass on the windows. This will allow you to neatly paint around the window and the window sill, without the added stress of having to cover the windows, or worry about potential scratches.

Placing an elastic band around the bristles of your paint brush will hold them together, making it easier to paint tricky areas, such as cutting in around windows. Placing one below the bristles will prevent any excess paint dripping down over your hand.

If you have ever decorated before, you will know how frustrating it is to clean out your paint tray afterwards. If you do not do it immediately, the paint will dry, and it can be very difficult to remove. You can solve this by lining your paint tray with an old plastic bag before you pour your paint in. That way, when you are done, you can simply remove the bag, leaving you with a clean tray.

If you want to decorate, but cannot bear the smell of paint, add a few drops of vanilla essence, or your favourite perfume into the tin and stir well before painting. It will not affect the quality of the paint, but will take away the majority of the distinctive paint smell.

When you are decorating, it is likely that, at some point, you will have to climb a ladder to reach the higher points of a wall or ceiling. Do not neglect your safety, as accidents can all too easily happen – make sure you are wearing well fitted shoes with a good grip, and never overstretch. Instead, start at the furthest point, and work your way in.

Whatever your budget, ensure that you have a little more paint, tiles, or wall paper than you think you will actually need. Although this is not such an issue with paint, if you are tiling and wallpapering, you need to consider that there may be damages during installation, as well as later on. If you have to replace any later on, it is better to know you have some, in case your chosen design has been discontinued, or is hard to get hold of.

If you have any stonework in your home, make sure this is protected during your time decorating. If you have to rest a ladder against any stonework, place socks over the end as protection. Do not compromise your safety at any point, but having a layer between your stonework and the ladder, will help prevent it from becoming scratched or damaged.

If, when you come to decorating you find that you have no paintbrushes, or if they are all in use, do not panic. A normal household sponge can be used to apply the paint, just like a paint roller. Just remember to wash the sponge thoroughly afterwards, while the paint is still wet to prevent any paint from drying in it.

It just isn’t practical to wear gloves whilst decorating, and yet, paint, adhesive and grout can be an absolute nightmare to remove from your hands. Before you start, put a layer of petroleum jelly around your nails and any particular areas that the paint really sticks. When you come to clean up afterwards, they will be a lot easier to remove in these areas.

Anyone that has used water-based gloss before will know that it can start to become thick when the tin has been used a lot. Do not be tempted to throw the rest away and replace it with another one, simply add a generous squirt of washing up liquid and stir thoroughly. This will thin it out, allowing you to use every last drop.