Like most homeowners, if you are planning to paint the interior of your home, you probably have some questions about it. Once you decide to paint your home, you realize that there’s a lot that goes into planning such a project. You need to consider things like cost, timing, preparation, colour choices, finishes, and whether you should hire a professional or do it yourself.
So below, we compiled the answers to the ten most frequently asked questions people have about painting the interior of their house. This will help you feel better prepared before you start painting or hire a professional painter.
1. How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house?
There are a few key things that affect how much it costs to paint the interior of a house. The most important thing is how big the space is. Obviously, a small room costs less than a whole house. Also, the state of your walls is important to consider. The cost goes up if there are cracks, stains, patches, or repairs that need to be made. And if you are switching from a dark to a light colour, it is likely that a coat of tinted primer will be needed as well. Other things to factor into the equation is the brand and quality of paint you choose, as well as how many coats and colours you need.
If you decide to hire a professional painter, then you are paying for their experience, tools, prep work, a clean finish, and a job done safely and conveniently. Most homeowners agree that hiring a professional painter is worth it because the results look better and last longer. The easiest way to get the most accurate cost for your painting project is to ask for an estimate. Then you will know precisely how much your project will cost.
2. How long does it generally take to paint the interior of a house?
The length of time to complete a painting project depends on how big it is, how much prep work needs to be done, and how many rooms you are painting. One bedroom could take you a whole day. But your kitchen could take even longer because there’s lots of cutting around cabinets that needs to be done. So, to paint an entire house, it can take a week or several.
And in between coats of paint, you need to give it time to dry. Most paints dry to the touch within a few hours, but they take longer to fully cure. Good painters complete each part of the project so that it causes you the least amount of disruption. You can normally continue to live in your home while the work is being done, although you might have to move furniture around and not sit against freshly painted walls until they fully cure.
3. Do I need to use primer before painting?
It depends on the situation. If you’re painting over a dark colour with a lighter one, covering up stains, sealing new drywall, or painting over shiny surfaces, you will probably require primer. Primer helps the paint stick better and creates a more even finish. But more high-quality paints come with built-in primers. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to prep the surface properly though. A professional painter can immediately tell you if you need primer after looking at your walls.
4. What type of paint finish should I use?
It can be confusing when it comes to choosing a finish, but it helps to consider shine and durability. Flat and matte finishes are great for ceilings and walls that you do not want to draw attention to, but they are not as washable. Eggshell and satin are very popular for living spaces because they look soft but are easier to clean. Semi gloss and gloss hold up better in high moisture or high traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, trim, and doors.
You want to balance appearance with practicality. If you have kids or pets, a slightly more washable finish usually makes life easier.
5. How many coats of paint do I need?
Most interior walls need two coats for a smooth and even finish. If you’re painting over a colour that’s similar, one coat may be enough, but two coats nearly always looks better. But if you are going from a dark to a light colour, you will likely need one coat of tinted primer plus two coats of coloured paint to get the coverage you want.
Putting on one thick coat will leave streaks and uneven patches, so it’s better to paint thinner coats and allow for drying time in between.
6. What do I need to do to get my walls ready to paint?
If you are hiring a professional to do your painting then there’s nothing to do except move your furniture away from the walls. If you are doing it yourself then, before you apply any paint, you should dust your walls to remove any cobwebs, fill in nail holes and cracks, lightly sand rough parts, and if you decide to use tape then tape off sections that you don’t want to be painted. You should also relocate or cover your furniture and protect your floors with drop cloths.
All this prep work is usually included in the service when you hire a professional painter. If you don’t prep your walls before you paint, you won’t get a nice finish so it’s worth taking the time to do it right.
7. How do I choose the right paint colour?
Colour is fun, but it can also be intimidating. Think about the mood you want to create in the room first. Light colours make a space feel open and spacious. Dark colours can make things feel cozy or bold. Gray, beige, and greige are popular neutral colours, and adding accent colours with artwork or throw pillows can give your space some flair.
The room’s lighting is also really important. In the morning, a wall colour can look very different with natural sunlight than it does in the evening when artificial lights are turned on. So if you’re not sure, you can paint sample swatches on the wall and look at them at different times of the day. Also, make sure that the colours of your furniture, floors, and trim all go well together.
If you ever feel stuck, you can ask for help from your local paint store and you may also be able to request an in-home colour consultation.
8. Is it safe to paint the interior of my house?
Many current paints come in low VOC or zero VOC formulas, which means they don’t give off much in the way of fumes. This is helpful if you have kids, pets, allergies, or are sensitive to smells. While painting and while the paint is drying, it’s important to have good ventilation. However, once the paint fully dries, it shouldn’t be giving off any odours. But if you’re worried about fumes, just ask about low-VOC options when planning and buying paint for your project.
9. What is the difference between cheap and premium paint?
You may be wondering if the extra money for a quality paint is worth it. Higher quality paints usually offer better coverage, provide a smoother finish, last longer, and resist permanent marks. This means that you need fewer coats, the results last longer, and you don’t have to repaint as often.
Paint that costs less usually needs more coats, shows marks more easily, and fades faster. You might save money up front but then have to spend more time and money painting sooner than you would otherwise with a high-quality paint.
10. Should I hire a professional painter or do it myself?
This is a key consideration when you have a painting project. While it looks like an easy thing to do, you need to be patient, skilled, and have the correct materials. If you have the time, energy, and inclination, you can definitely do the paint job yourself. But be prepared to spend time on prepping the walls, doing the cleanup, getting used to the ladder if you don’t paint on a regular basis.
If this sounds too stressful then consider hiring a professional so that you can relax and have confidence that they will do the job right. You’ll also get the project finished faster and with less mess. It all depends on how much time you want to spend and how flawless you want the results to be.
Final thoughts
One of the easiest ways to refresh your home, make it feel new again, and give your house an update is to paint the interior. And when you know the essentials for your painting project with respect to cost, timing, prep, finishes, and colour, it makes the whole thing seem way less daunting.
If you live in the Kitchener Waterloo area and you are ready to repaint your home, Kitchener Waterloo Painters would be happy to help. We focus on interior painting that looks clean, modern, and professional so you can enjoy your space without the hassle of doing it yourself.
Get in touch today if you are looking for reliable, friendly, experienced painters in the Kitchener Waterloo area.
