The $50 Face-Lift

Do you have a room in your home that needs a face-lift? For around $50 you can breathe new life into a tired space and renew the feeling of your home! All it takes is a can of paint, some supplies and a bit of time.

The secret to good painting is in the preparation. So this design tip will focus on getting your room ready for it's make-over. Below are some simple, but important steps to take prior to rolling on the paint:

1) Remove the hooks and nails used for picture hanging. If you plan to re-arrange your wall-hangings, fill the holes with a small amount of spackle. Once the spackle has dried, lightly sand it smooth with the wall. Then use your tack cloth to pick up any dust on the wall from the sanding.

2) Tape off areas that you don't wish to paint such as the baseboard trim. Trim is usually painted a different color than the walls in a semi-gloss finish to create a nice border.

3) When it comes to the light switches and electrical outlets, you have two options. The first option is to tape over the whole unit including the face-plate. The second option requires less accurate taping, but more caution. You can remove the face-plates of the light switches and electrical outlets and then just tape over the switch and outlet. Be very careful not to touch anything behind the switch or outlet while taping and painting if you choose the second approach!

4) If your walls have not been painted in a while, you may be best off washing them down with an appropriate cleaner recommended at your local paint supply store. This will insure your paint adheres properly and evenly. Be sure to let the walls dry before painting.

5) If you plan to paint a light color over a darker colored wall, ask your local paint supply store for decent primer paint. They might even tint the primer to help your selected paint color turn-out best. Regardless, plan to complete two-coats of the final paint throughout the room. This will guard against the original wall color showing through or distorting the intended color of choice.

Painting Preparation Supplies:

Small Step Ladder

Drop Cloth

Sanding Block

Tack Cloth

Spackle & Spackle Knife

Painter's Tape