The simplest and most cost effective way to transform your home is through an interior painting project. Interior painting allows you to make over a single room or your entire house and can substantially increase your home’s value, especially if your current paint is scuffed or marred or if the colors are alternately garish or drab. Further, if you’re selling your home, a complete paint job in bright, neutral tones makes it easier for prospective buyers to envision the space as their own, thus increasing your chances of selling.

While Omaha Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling specializes in removing the headache of painting your interiors yourself to free up your busy schedule, for those who do choose to personally undertake an interior painting renovation, the savings can be significant. The process can also be so remarkably time-consuming that it may take several weekends and evenings to complete. And since poor preparation for interior painting can result in sloppily covered walls that will need to be repainted much sooner than expected, rushing any step along the way isn’t a good idea. So for many in Omaha NE, working with an all-in-one renovation team like Omaha Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling is just common sense Omaha Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling’s team—from our Consultants who help select your paint colors, sheens, faux painting techniques and paint brands to our highly skilled teams of painters—ensures your project will be completed professionally, on time, and on budget.

Preparation

Preparation is extremely important – especially when painting a furnished apartment. Proper handling of your furniture and belongings is essential since you won’t want paint spatter on anything. You must pack all your small belongings (books, picture frames and knickknacks, etc.) in boxes for the duration of the paint project. If you ‘d like, the Omaha Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling team can assist you. We will cover your floor with construction paper (or in some cases with masonite) , we don’t use cheap drop cloths like other contractors. We also apply blue tape to the areas that will be painted later. For example, tape is applied to the space between the wall and ceiling. Using blue tape is important because it won’t pull off paint when the tape is removed.

Plastering

Generally, the older the property, the worse the condition of the walls. Pre-war apartments have solid plaster walls that have been painted many times over the years. They usually require plastering. Most post-war buildings are constructed with sheetrock, which is easier to work with. The best but most expensive and time-consuming plastering system is skim coating. This entails applying a coat of plaster over the entire surface. After it dries over night, it is sanded and another layer is applied. Skim coating usually requires three or four coats of plaster. It is the nicest looking option because it makes the walls look new. Another method is to scrape, sand and plaster only the areas where paint is peeling or the walls are cracking. This process repairs cracks and peeling paint but doesn’t make the wall look perfect. The amount of plastering you require will be based on the level of smoothness and perfection you want to achieve, but may be limited by your budget.

Trim

All metal and woodwork is referred to as “trim.” This includes crown and base moldings, windowsills, frames, doors, built-in cabinetry, and radiator covers – basically every painted surface that are not walls or ceiling. Usually the trim is painted in a semi-gloss finish for best protection. Often, the older the apartment, the worse the condition of the trim. It usually has layers of paint and chipped or damaged areas. If you are looking for perfection, it may be best to replace it with new trim. If you just want to fix it up a little, it is possible to fill in some bad areas then sand, prime and paint. Some older apartments have beautiful exotic wood detail that may be worth stripping and refinishing. This option is detail oriented, time-consuming and costly.

Priming

Priming is the process of applying a primer or base coat to the surface to be painted. Priming is recommended in every painting project and is an absolute necessity in some cases. For example, you must use a primer if you are painting an area that’s been repaired or patched, a water-damaged area or if you are attempting to a paint light color over a dark one. The primer acts like glue for the paint, enabling it to adhere to the wall. Even if you are on a tight budget or are painting the exact same color, we recommend priming.

Paint Application

By far, the best approach is to apply at least two coats of paint to all surfaces. In some cases a third coat may be needed. If you are on a budget, it is possible to apply only one coat of a special, thicker paint.

Omaha Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling recommends two brands of paints – Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. Benjamin Moore is readily available and can be found in Janovic stores throughout Manhattan. It is the more recognized brand in the tri-state area and it offers more finishes. Should you want to look at color swatches, you can find them easily in your local paint store. Sherwin Williams is also a great national brand but it is not easy to find in local stores. If you want to save money on paint, it is a great option since it can cost up to 40% less than Benjamin Moore.

Once you’ve chosen the color, you’ll need to select a finish. Generally, ceilings are painted with a flat finish. Bathrooms, kitchens and trim are painted with semi-gloss since it is more durable and easier to clean. Semi-gloss is not recommended for walls other than in kitchens and bathrooms because it highlights every imperfection. Walls in other rooms can be painted other finishes you like. The most popular flat finish is eggshell. Special finishes such as pearl and satin are beautiful but are significantly more expensive.