Wet New York winters eventually give way to gorgeous sunny days, which means that you have found the perfect time to update your living quarters with a fresh coat of paint. While it is normal to be a little nervous about making a major change to your walls, one of the nice things about paint is that it is easy to cover up your mistakes. As you set forth on your DIY project, you can ease your learning curve by using these tips that will give you professional looking results on your first try.

 Prep The Surface

Novice painters often overlook this important first step, yet you can save yourself a lot of trouble by picking up a few simple prepping tools after you search for hardware stores near me. Begin by using a hammer to remove any nails from the surface of your walls, and use a filling material to cover up any holes. Use sandpaper to remove any flaking or peeling paint, and wash the surface of your walls so that your paint can adhere properly.

 Choose the Right Tools

High quality paint goes a long way toward giving you professional results so make sure that you choose hardware stores near me that carry top of the line materials in your desired color. Then, use quality brushes and painter tape to work on your project. Although it may seem as though all brushes are alike, a well made one will save you paint by providing better coverage. You will also save yourself from bleeding paint onto the trim and other surfaces by using the best painters tape you can find. If you’re not sure about the type of wall surface you are painting, talk to your hardware store salesperson who can give you tips when it comes to picking the right brushes and rollers.

 Protect Unpainted Surfaces

It is virtually impossible to overdo protecting the parts of your home that you do not want painted. This is because even small splatters will make it obvious that your painting was a DIY endeavor. Begin by using a screwdriver to remove outlet and light switch covers. Place these in bags with their screws so that you do not lose a critical piece. Then, use plastic sheeting and drop cloths to cover your floor, furniture and any other surface you find. You can tape these in place if you know that your movements may knock them loose. As you protect your surfaces, make sure to avoid overlooking the doorknobs, which can be protected with special covers or simply wrapped with aluminum foil.

 Now that you’ve done all that prep work, you will be ready to get down and dirty with painting. Invite your friends and family, and host a painting party to get it done. Alternatively, you can take your time and just enjoy the process. Either way, you can be excited about peeling back that painter tape when you know that you have taken the steps to make it look like a professional painter did your project.