DIY home painting ideas

Sure, painting a house seems pretty straight forward. And it can be if you hire all of the right equipment, including a trestle or ladder from Kennards Hire. But what about some more adventurous and artistic approaches to colouring in your world?

Preparation

For those renovating an older home, chances are you'll have to remove some wallpaper. Make sure to do a thorough job of this to ensure a smooth finish when done. This includes patching and sanding where necessary, and perhaps even plastering some sections, depending on the age of your walls and the condition they're in.

Choose a cool idea

Once you've picked a room to add a splash of colour to, think of how you're going to make it as unique as possible. Kids rooms are easy and murals are a firm favourite here. Stick-on decals are increasingly popular as well. Thankfully modern versions of these can be easily removed, so it's not a hassle if you're renting.

If you own your home, you'll have a bit more flexibility to explore painting the rooms. However, for those that are renting you could investigate applying some of these techniques to panels of ply wood for feature pieces that won't damage the house. Otherwise, consider painting some old furniture to revitalise it.

Stencils

Stencils are a great way to add some colour without going overboard. An elegant design like a stag's head or Victorian bust will add instant classiness to your home. Grab a thin piece of ply or a sheet metal and use a jigsaw to cut out the pattern you've drawn on it. This will get a much smoother and more consistent finish than free-hand painting.

Stencils can also be used to the same effect as decals, but they allow you more creativity as you can make the design exactly what you want. Instead of choosing outlandish colours for a stencil, try a pastel version of your desired shade as the wall colour, and do the stencil itself in white, black or grey for a refined look.

Weathered wood

Wood with an 'antique' or weathered look has been immensely popular over the past few years and the trend is holding on strong. This could be a great look for old kitchen cupboards or skirting boards around the house.

While there are many techniques to achieve this, a coat or two of paint followed by a rough sanding with alternating pressure on your orbital sander will get the job done quickly. Don't forget to apply a clear protective coat over the top!

Whatever your DIY painting project this summer, make sure to keep your home well-ventilated and the floor covered in drop sheets.