Interior painting starts with a realistic budget. Professional painters consider the size of the project, condition of the walls, amount of preparation required, quantity of trim and moldings, type of paint to be used, height of ceilings, and timeline for completion when generating their estimates. Clarify if they will provide the paint or if you will need to purchase the paint. The cost of labor and supplies ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot. Painting the interior of 2,000 square foot home will cost approximately $3,500 if the walls are in good condition. Repairs to the walls and moving furniture may add to the cost.
Color
Interior painting begins with the palate for the room. If the artwork and the furniture are selected for the room, then the choice is between complementary colors or monotone. Collect paint chips at a local hardware store and bring them home. Put them in the room and glance at them over the span of the day and night. Light affects the color perceived. When you narrow down the colors to four, you can get samples in small jars that can be painted on a wall. Viewing the samples on the wall will help you choose one.
Clarify how much paint to order for each room with your professional painter when the estimate is generated. Remember the walls will have one color, the ceiling will have a different color or different shade of the wall color, and the trim will be a third color. Then, select your paint with these rules in mind:
- Choose the base color for the walls first. White for trim should be from the white at the end of the paint chip stick. Select ceiling color as the same white as the trim, or a complementary shade of the same color. Lastly, if there will be an accent wall select the color last.
- Monochrome rooms are popular in 2022. Searching the internet, color catalogs, and design magazines will teach you how to integrate color with design. Inspiration can be gleaned from social media like Instagram and Pinterest. Think about texture and color.
- Draw inspiration from your furnishings, artwork, and collections. An accent wall that compliments your collection will highlight your precious possessions.
- Do not paint the entire home interior one color. Each room should flow into the next room so avoid contrasting colors. Some paint companies offer design palettes. These are sample room designs with 4 to 5 different colors matched. A design palette could be brick red, forest green, and peanut brown to create a warm rustic feeling or pale blue, seafoam green, and sandy beige to create a cool beach feeling.
Finish
Finish is the durability and sheen of the paint. Glossy will reflect more light than eggshell or flat which can change the look of the paint. The functionality of the room should dictate the paint’s finish. Most bedrooms and living rooms are attractive with semi-gloss or eggshell finish. Most kitchens and bathrooms are finished with glossy, an easy to maintain and durable choice. Eggshell and satin finishes provide more reflection and a smoother surface for easy cleaning. Semi-gloss and High-gloss paints provide the most sheen and durability. Matte finishes have the least sheen but hide wall imperfections well and are hardest to clean.
Texture
Texture painting paired with clever lighting will highlight a wall or a room. A focal wall in a room with texture painting and open shelves for an art collection will be a showcase. A textured focal wall will give a room a decorative flair. Accent walls add a sense of excitement to a room even if it is filled with big box bargain furniture. Adding texture to one wall, even in a monochromatic room, elevates the design aesthetic.
Whites
Whites are on the end of every paint chip stick because the undertones of white come in every color of the rainbow. The difference in tone is subtle but make a huge difference in the feeling of the room. Interior designers use warmer whites to balance out the coldness of the white lights in north-facing homes. For south facing homes, select cooler whites that can counteract the bright yellow of natural sunshine.
Lead
In New Jersey, any wall painting that was done before 1978 must be tested for lead. This can be dealt with by painting over all the lead paint or applying skim plaster over all the lead paint. Painting over the lead paint is the cheaper option. Painting over the lead paint is effective and provides even protection from toxic fumes and lead dust. Skim plaster is more expensive, but when it chips, the home is exposed to lead dust and toxic fumes. The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) states that lead paint can only produce dangerous lead dust if the paint has been damaged such as peeling, rubbing, or chipping off during renovations. Professional painters will use personal protective equipment to safeguard the home during renovations.
Paints
For interior projects there are two common types of paint. Oil-based paints which are smooth and durable, and lower-VOC latex paint. Latex paint is fast drying and easy to clean up making it a popular choice for residential painting of walls and ceilings. Oil-based paint is harder, making it preferred for trims, floors, and furnishing.
Distemper
Distemper, whitewash, is a generic term used to cover all forms of water-based paints in the United States. This water-based paint is formed with calcium carbonate, whiting or chalk, bound with glue and mixed with water. Pigment can be added for color. Great for balconies, terraces, and fences, and makes a strong, durable white for interior walls if vintage chic is the goal. Oil distemper had a strong odor and is recommended for industrial uses only.
Emulsion
Emulsion paints are the best quality paints for interior walls and are durable in high traffic areas like kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms. This durable water-based paint comes in a variety of finishes including satin, eggshell, silk, and matte.
Luster
Luster paints are an oil-based paint that is stain resistant and does well in children’s rooms. It has a bright beautiful gleam that brightens the room, but it is not eco-friendly and has a strong odor for three days while it is drying. Water-based luster paints have less odor but are less durable.
Enamel
Enamel paints are designed for wooden and metallic surfaces. They have an acrylic and vinyl mixture that is waterproof. Walls that get a lot of grime like kitchens, bathrooms, and garages do well with enamel paint if you don’t mind the glossy finish. Enamel paint protects from stains, heat, and excess moisture.
Consult your professional remodeler
Consult your professional remodeler before purchasing any paint or primer. Clarify who will provide the paint and primer. If you are going to provide the paint, write down all the rooms and the amount of paint needed for walls, ceiling, and trim.
If you are looking for the best contractor for remodeling and interior painting in the Sussex County, NJ or Ocean County, NY check out Alfieri Renovations Remodeling + Design!
Since 1992, we have been offering remodeling and design services for all parts of a home, interior and exterior. We manage everything from start to finish. For years, we have remained among Sussex County NJ & Orange County NY’s Most Preferred Licensed and Insured Home Contractors! Call Us at (973) 862-1640 to bring your dream home to life at reasonable prices
