Painting is one of the least expensive and simplest home improvements you can make. You will discover so many small changes you can do to spice up your homes look and worth, simple changes like painting a wall can produce a huge change. Painting is the cheap and straightforward home improvement and can also be easily changed if you decide you want a different colour later on. There is a huge choice of paints available in numerous colours and finishes so there is almost definitely bound to be something to fit your house. If you can not discover a ready made colour, then you could always mix paints to produce different shades and variations.

Choosing paint:

People are moving home less the very reason is the recession and so they are daring to experiment with new design ideas. This means that they are having a go at painting their houses in bold colours and moving from the neutral, beige trend of the past. Along with choosing something to suit their personal style. Look in the rooms you propose on repainting, consider their size, shape and function along with the style of furniture they hold. These items will all influence which paint you pick, for example, a medium sized room could potentially be made to look bigger with light colours, a kitchen would be improved with humidity resistant paint, you might want a shade that compliments your existing furniture. Bear in mind, paint is not just for walls, you may also apply it to window frames, skirting boards or furniture. Using one colour or varying shades of the same colour in a room can really produce a cohesive look, especially when you have a whole lot of mismatched household furniture.

Types of paint:

Solvent based paint - these paints have high volumes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are harmful to your environment, especially if it is poured down the sink. Eco paints are now available which contain no VOCs; these even include new odour reducing paint and self cleaning paints.

Make sure you choose the appropriate paint variety for your project:

Water based paints - they are a much more environmentally friendly option that doesn't smell of chemicals. The downside is that water based paint is not quite as durable and thick as the solvent kind - so you might need to give it more than one coat.

Emulsion paints - these water based paints are perfect for ceilings and walls because they are thicker and simple to apply. Humidity resistant emulsion paints have also been developed for use in steamy rooms like kitchens or bathrooms.

Gloss - you may want to make use of a gloss instead of a standard paint when it comes to painting pieces of furniture. Gloss is usually applied to wood or metal surfaces and is a thick, solvent based substance. For an alternative, you can use acrylic paint for this sort of work.

Matt and silk paints can be found as a matt or gloss finish. Matt gives a flat, non-reflective look whereas silk results in a shiny, reflective coat.

Undercoats - depending on what kind of surface is being painted, you might need to apply a primer and an undercoat before painting the top layer. This seals and evens out the area which will give a polished finish.

Metal paints - You can use bituminous paint for iron fittings like pipes, tanks or gutters. This paint offers waterproof protection by forming a bituminous layer when dry.

Painting tips

Test colours first on a medium sized section on the wall and take into account the choices for only a few days before you make your ultimate choice. You can even try mixing paints to generate your ideal shade. Lighten with white, darken with black. Never throw left over paint down the drains, this could pollute water ways. Remember to check whether you will require to re-plaster the wall before you paint. Always remove wallpaper before painting and always keep the rooms well ventilated while working. In case you do choose to paint it yourself, always use gloves and a good quality paintbrush. If you are not using the brush, keep it in a pot of warm water to prevent hardening of the brush or wrap it in cling film.