Paint or wallpaper

The cost of revamping your home depends greatly on the extent of the work required. Undertaking a decorating job personally will undoubtedly save money, but before wielding a paintbrush, stop to consider why employing a professional can be a wise option. A recommendation from someone you know is a great place to start. If you are bewildered by the vast array of paint and wallpaper available nowadays, this is where a professional's experience is invaluable.

Paint

Painting is a quick and easy way to transform or refresh a room and remains the most popular option when decorating. Paint is available in every colour under the sun. Different shades can even be mixed together, either by hand or machine, to obtain the exact tone you want.

Paint is one of the most common forms of decorating walls. It is simple and comes in a wide spectrum of colors. There are two main types of paint, namely gloss and emulsion. Glossy captures the light and reflects it, enhancing the color; matte is dull, neutral, letting the color speak for itself.

Go to your local paint store and pick up a color wheel and or sample cards. Here you can learn more about the colors:

• Complimentary colors - are the colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel.
• Harmonious colors - are the colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Like blue and purple.
• Tints - are colors with white added.
• Shades - are colors with black added.
• Saturation - is the amount of color used. The more color, the more vibrant.
• Color tone - is the degree to which it changes.
• Pastels - use only a hint of color.

Different techniques can be used to create special effects, such as stencilling, rag rolling, marbling or wood effect. If you are considering using a decorative painting technique such as stenciling or stamping, you may just want to create a wallpaper effect by stamping or stenciling a simple design over your base coat.

The location and nature of the surface you wish to paint will have a bearing on your choice. Bricks on an exterior wall will require different products to those used on the ceiling of a steamy bathroom.

An exterior paint scheme should be made up of at least three colors: the field - large areas such as walls or roofs; the trim - corner boards, window trim, fascias, rakes, etc.; and accent - specific elements including doors, shutters, and other architectural features.

Darker trim - especially around the windows - can cause a "frame" effect, where the windows look like pictures hung on a wall. Keeping the trim lighter than the field is almost always a safe bet.

The two most important considerations in choosing a color scheme for the exterior are the architecture of the house and the neighborhood context.

The following is a list of tips you should keep in mind:

• Bring paint samples home from home improvement stores to accurately match with carpets and fabrics.
• Use quality paints.
• For a quality paint job, preparation is important. Clear the wall surfaces properly.
• All furnishing should be covered or removed from the work area.
• Do take the time to put down drop clothes and remove curtain hardware.
• If you're painting a bathroom, use wet newspaper to cover the bottom and sides of the tub.
• Use wet newspaper for protecting windows.
• Have a wet paper towels handy to wipe up any drips or mistakes.
• Rub hand lotion on your hands and arms before you begin.
• Try to avoid painting on rainy days. The extra humidity in the air will cause the paint to dry slower.
• Make sure you have everything you need before you get started—especially enough paint.
• To expand room height paint the ceiling a different but light color than the walls. Add some blue tint to your white ceiling color.
• Light colors on the walls, especially white, tend to visually increase a room size while dark colors tend to shrink it.
• Light paint colors require two coats, darker colors three or four.
• Don't be tempted to use faux finishes, leafing or glazes.
• Have your primer tinted the same color as you intend to paint.
• If you have a steady hand, you might not need masking tape to cover the edges.
• So you've got your first coat on. Wait a few hours and simply apply your second coat using the same techniques. Once everything is finished throw away your roller cover and clean your brush with warm water.
• Wipe paint rollers on old newspapers before cleaning. Getting rid of any excess paint will make them easier to clean.
• Use old milk jugs to store paint.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper, now referred to as wall coverings is made of a variety of different substances. It is vinyl, fabric, grass cloth and foil as well as paper. A plastic coating ensures it is both durable and easy to clean.

Like paint, there is an endless selection to choose from, available in every colour and pattern imaginable. The quality will vary according to price and manufacturer. Unlike with painting, however, wallpapering is really not a solitary chore, since you do need that extra pair of hands and eyes. Of course, decorating is just like fashion.Wallpaper has been around since 200 BC so the Chinese must have been on to something with this "trend."

Here are some tips about wallpapering:

• Wallpaper with a printed pattern is the cheapest and least hard-wearing wallpaper.
• Vinyl wallpapers are washable, making them suitable for busy areas such as the kitchen, hallway or children's bedrooms.
• Poor surfaces and defects in walls and ceilings can be cleverly disguised with woodchip wallpaper.
• Wall preparations for papering are similar to painting. The walls must be sanded and all holes filled.
• If the wall is already covered, strip it.
• Some papers are actually textured. There are grass cloth, cork, and split bamboo papers, as well as 3D paintable papers and borders.
• Wallpapers can be used to disguise a less than perfect wall surface, to cover patched cracks, and even old style paneling.
• If you are bored of paint, wallpaper may be a different way of decorating your bedroom.
• Choose decoration style. According to the type and structure of the rooms, you can select from a range of wall covers. They are available in shades of crème, gold, wood, white, grey, blue, and many more colors. You can even select wallpapers that appear like tiles, mosaic, rubber, wood, and metal. You can opt from a range of wallpapers that have various patterns drawn inside including leaves, flowers, dots, diamonds and more.
• You can mix paper and painted surfaces.
• You can purchase faux columns, tiles, carvings, windows, and doors.
• Covering a wall is not the only use for wallpaper. You can apply cut pieces to lampshades, screens and boxes.
• If you are nervous start small with a border or wallpaper cutouts. Once you get a feel for the technique you can branch out.
• Papers requiring a match are easier if the match is a small one; 3" to 7".
• Beware of vertical stripes if your walls aren’t perfect.
• The disadvantage of using wallpaper to redecorate is that it is tricky to hang and to remove or replace if it is damaged or soiled.

Whether you choose to paint or paper depends on a number of factors – including preference. Do not ignore the possibility of combining the two methods. Painting and wallpapering are not exclusive methods of decorating but can be very complementary.

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