Ah, winter - that fateful time when everything goes into hibernation mode. As much as you may feel like curling up with a warm blanket and (numerous) cups of coffee until it’s all over, winter can be the ideal time to give your home a makeover with an awesome new colour 
palette.
Whether you’re looking to brighten your favourite room, give your home an updated look, or even prepare your home for resale, painting can be an excellent way to get in touch with your inner home improvement wiz. However, if you’ve ever taken on a huge paint project, you’ll know that there’s a lot more to the process than just picking a colour and slathering it onto a wall.
If a new coat of paint is in your near future, here are 5 super easy and helpful tips to give your paint project the professional advantage.
1. Scheme
Before you start, consider who you’re painting for, and what colour scheme you’d like to go with. Is resale a possibility? It’s best to go with neutral colours and shades, such as white, beige, and light grey. Are you looking to customize? If you’re more of a colour fanatic, some vibrant hues might brighten up your home. Take the time to weigh your options, and plan accordingly.
2. Consider your options
Contrary to popular belief, there IS more than one shade of white. Once you’ve settled on a colour or shade, grab a wide variety of swatches from all of your favourite paint brands and carefully consider which ones will work best for the job. It may also be a good idea to consult the entire family before you begin and settle on something that everyone will like.
3. Shaken, not stirred
When you’re purchasing your paints, have them shaken and mixed at the store. This helps to redistribute tints and ensure that there’s no separation in the colour. Paints sitting on the store shelves can often separate, so it’s very important to have them shaken by machine in order to achieve the shade and tone you’re looking for.
4. Make sure that you’re in your prime
Cleaning and priming the surface you’re going to paint in is a vital and often overlooked step. Sanding, patching, and washing the walls will offer a smoother surface, which will ultimately make the painting process a lot easier.
5. Roll with it
Using a foam roller will not only allow you to cover more surface area in a shorter period of time, but it will also ensure a better finish. Although some people prefer the use of a classic paintbrush, foam rollers offer a more hassle-free paint project that will achieve the look of a professional paint job.
Even though the winter weather is frightful, you’re only a paint can away from making your home look oh-so-delightful! Get a jump start on your painting this winter, and you’ll find that come April, your next spring cleaning will be a snap.