Almost everyone knows what it means to paint something: you dip a brush into some paint, slap it on the wall and start stroking it back and forth until the old color is covered over and the new color replaces it. At least, this is the principle idea, anyway!
Painting is actually a lot more complicated than just picking a color and dabbing it onto your walls—why do you think there’s entire stores dedicated to this craft? The sheer amount of equipment you’re going to need is expansive, which means if you’re planning on painting something the size of a home, for example, you’re going to need to visit a paint store in Seattle to stock up:
- Dust throws and drop cloths are going to be your best friends in keeping paint off of the floor, out of the carpet and anywhere else it’s not supposed to be! Lay them down in any room you’re painting, as well as over anything you don’t want painted, in order to protect it.
- Painter’s tape will help you tape off any of those hard edges, to make sure you’re not accidently “coloring outside of the lines” when painting specific walls. This will also help you protect your trim and keep any hanging dust throws in place.
- Brushes, rollers and dabbers are going to get the paint from the cans and trays onto your walls. Use rollers for larger swaths of walls and ceilings, while you use a brush to finish the job where edges meet and in tight crevices. If you’re texturizing or using a pattern, a dabber can be a great tool.
- Sandpaper and patching products will help make sure the first coat of paint you lay is done on a smooth surface, void of any blemishes or imperfections. Sand down anything that’s sticking out or rough to the touch, while you fill in any cracks, holes or divots that warrant repair.
- A ladder or stepstool is going to help you reach those hard to paint places, so you’re not stuck on tip-toes, reaching up high to dab paint on tenderly.
- Primer is going to be the first thing you put on your walls, to help bind the paint and even out the color. Be sure to get a nice, strong primer that’s made for the type of paint you’re using (latex, oil-based, etc.).
- Paint is the name of the game and you shouldn’t forget to pick up a few gallons before you start making your house into a home! Be sure to pick a color that’s right for you and remember to estimate appropriately when buying gallons—the rule of thumb is that a single gallon can cover about 350 square feet of your home. Buy more than you need, so you have enough for touchups down the road.
Make sure to scan the shelves at your local paint store in Seattle to see what you might be missing from the list above or if there are other things you might need to get the job done right!